|
 |
New
President of the European Judo Union
MR. MARIUS VIZER
OF ROMANIA
By: Bob Willingham
|
"I
will take judo to a new level." Marius Vizer Friday 7th April 2000
On Friday 7th April 2000 at the 52nd Ordinary Congress of the European
Judo Union, Mr Marius Vizer (the Romanian Judo President) was elected
as the new European Judo Union President and thus Vice President of
the International Judo Federation. Beating the existing President
Frans Hoogendijk from the Netherlands, with a clear majority of 33
-11, he said "I am very very happy for judo, for me, for the sport
in general and I hope we can realise some special things in judo.
I have the power with my colleges to make a very strong team."
The evening before the election Mr Vizer showed a video promoting
the largest display screen in the world, "The Liberty Power Cap."
This would be of great use in promoting advertising in our sport and
Mr Vizer hopes to be able to incorporate it into Judo events in the
future. Following dinner he gave a detailed and impressive presentation
to all delegates called "Visions 2008." This he felt was a realistic
period to plan for, and he explained that these visions were his personal
feelings. He commented that "we should be against each other for sporting
success, but together for our sport."
By creating, "working groups instead of commissions", and "task forces
not talk forces", and by using his personal contacts in large scale
European business he felt that the promotion of Judo could be greatly
improved.
Having given such a clear idea of his future ambitions for judo the
evening before the election, Mr Vizer was able to state before the
assembled congress on the election day: "As you know I am a great
supporter of Judo. I will take judo to a new level."

Frans Hoogendijk's more traditional five minute presentation concentrated
on the things he had achieved during his four years as President,
making particular reference to his 1996 pre-election slogan which
was "Bridging the Gap." His ambition had been to enable the former
Eastern bloc countries to have the same opportunities as the rest
of European Judo. Judging by this election result he has certainly
been successful in achieving this aim!
In the second election of the day Otto Kneitinger replaced Willi Hofgen
as Vice President responsible for "A" Tournaments and for Sports matters
in general. Both of these candidates coming from Germany, the German
Judo president, Dieter Schuchmann spoke in favour of Mr Kneitinger,
resulting in a 35-9 win. Otto Kneitinger said, "I am happy that I
can now do many things for Judo. The vision of Marius Vizer is a big
chance for us and now we must help him, and bring in our ideas, all
the people know my ideas I have put them into practice in the past
for Abensburg Judo Club, and I think now Judo has a good chance."
On the following day, Saturday 8th April, in the middle of the Sports
commission presentation, Mr Pepe Rose (ESP) asked permission to speak
from the floor of the congress and proposed that Mr Sergei Soloveitchik
(RUS) and Mr Vladimir Barta (CZE) should be coopted for one year onto
the Directing Committee to fill the vacant positions of 4th Vice President
and Sports Director of the EJU ( which had become available due to
the resignations of George Kerr, GBR, and Guennardi Kaletkine, RUS).
The congress was then asked to show voting cards in response to the
proposal and it was passed.
Subsequently Mr Soloveitchik spoke to the final meeting of the EJU
Directing committee. He said "Judo is a popular and spectacular kind
of sport, with lots of friends and supporters. The other side of Judo
is the circle of technical support. It is a warm and friendly family.
Thank you for the credit."
Mr Barta said "Thank you, I've been with you for many years, but this
is my first time in 'the family'. I've seen 2 days of congress and
there is a lot of work to do, and many changes to come. I'm expected
to work, and I'll certainly do my best."
On the following day, in the middle of the Sports commission presentation,
Mr Pepe Rose (ESP) proposed Mr Sergei Soloveitchik (RUS) and Mr Vladimir
Barta (CZE) for the vacant positions ( due to the resignations of
George Kerr GBR, and Guennardi Kaletkine, RUS), of 4th Vice President
and Sports Director. The congress was then asked to show their voting
cards and the proposal was passed.
Report: Bob Willingham |
More
Photos from the 52nd Ordinary Congress of the European Judo Union
Mr
Vizer gives his first speech as new EJU President.

New
Vice President Otto Kneittinger
gives a speech as Mr Vizer listens in.

New
president of the European Judo Union, Marius Vizer (right),
with the new Vice President Otto Kneittinger (centre) and German
President, Dieter Schuchmann (left).
|
top
« back |
|
|

| 2000 Paris Tournament |
MEN
-60kg
Tadashi Nomura (JPN)
-66kg
Yordanis Arenciba (CUB)
-73kg
Ferrid Kheder (FRA)
-81kg
Maarten Arens (NED)
-90kg
Frederic Demontfaucon (FRA)
-100kg
Kosei Inoue (JPN)
+100kg
Yasuyuki Muneta (JPN)
WOMEN
-48kg
Atsuko Nagai (JPN)
-52kg
Liu Yuxiang (CHI)
-57kg
Magali Baton (FRA)
-63kg
Jung Sung-Sook (KOR)
-70kg
Ulla Werbrouck (BEL)
-78kg
Edinanci F. Silva (BRA)
+78kg
Yuan Hua (CHI)
|
|