The President of the Croatian Judo Federation and Vice-President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Sanda Čorak received a special award for the Best Development of a National Federation in the world at the Gala event held in Budapest were World Judo Championship closed down on Saturday 2.

The “Best Development of the National Federation” Award was presented to the Croatian Judo Federation President Sanda Čorak by President of the European Judo Union, Sergei Soloveychik.

“This is a great honour to receive this award. For us 10 years ago it seemed impossible but we shared the same vision, implemented team work, and have been developing with the strong support of the judo community. I would like to thank to the IJF President Mr. Marius Vizer for always believing and supporting us and to the EJU President Mr. Soloveychik and the entire judo family”, said Čorak receiving the award.

Croatian Judo Federation was a winner of IOC Trophy 2015 “Sport and Innovation” for project “Judo in schools” completed in 150 elementary schools out of total 600 of them in Croatia with a gym for regular and out of curriculum sports activities judo.

The launching of this project innovation was fostering judo as an educational method aimed at not only improving  the motor and functional abilities of children, but also at increasing the self-confidence, acquiring control and self-control, strengthening of concentration, adoption of ethical principles and healthy lifestyle as well as at the prevention of bullying at school or on the street.