The first two sports of the European Universities Combat Sports Championships 2026 in Tirana, Albania, have concluded, bringing the opening competition block to a successful close.

From 8 to 11 September, university athletes competed in karate and taekwondo, showcasing their technical abilities, determination and sporting spirit.

Organised by the Albanian University Sports Federation (FSHSU), the Championships brought university athletes from across Europe together in the Albanian capital, with Taekwondo taking place at Feti Borova Olympic Park and Karate hosted at the University of Sports Tirana.

Organised under the new 2+2 format, the Championships feature two sports in each competition block. Karate and Taekwondo opened the event, with Judo and Kickboxing set to follow in the second block. Across both sports, athletes competed through qualification rounds, semifinals and medal contests, showcasing the technical skill, discipline and competitive spirit that define European university sport.

The Karate competition, held at the University of Sports of Tirana, featured both individual and team kata, as well as individual kumite. Athletes competed in men's and women's individual kata, team kata for men and women, and a range of kumite weight categories.

From the precision and control of Kata to the fast-paced exchanges of Kumite, competitors progressed through elimination rounds, repechages and medal matches before the final champions of the opening competition block were crowned.

The kumite programme included five men's categories, from -60 kg to +84 kg, and five women's categories, from -50 kg to +68 kg.

 Athletes representing universities from Turkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Portugal, Great Britain, Croatia and many other nations were among those competing for the major positions.

Following several days of competition, Marmara University was awarded the Best University title in karate, recognising its strong overall performance throughout the event.

Taekwondo took place at Feti Borova Olympic Park, featuring both kyorugi and poomsae competitions. The programme included recognised Poomsae for men and women, freestyle Poomsae for men and women, and Kyorugi across a range of men's and women's weight categories.

The kyorugi programme featured eight men's categories, from -54 kg to +87 kg, and eight women's categories, from -46 kg to +73 kg. In Poomsae, athletes competed in both recognised and freestyle forms, demonstrating precision, balance, control and technical excellence.

Across the Kyorugi categories, athletes representing universities from Turkiye, Great Britain, Portugal, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain and many other European nations reached the podium, reflecting the international strength and diversity of the tournament.

The final combined medal standings for the Karate and Taekwondo competition block underline the strength of the Turkish university delegation, with an impressive 48 medals — 16 gold, 10 silver and 22 bronze. Universities from Portugal followed with 10 medals, including two golds, while Hungarian delegations collected two gold and one silver. Universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina also secured two European university titles alongside four bronze medals.

In the university awards, Istanbul Zaim University (TUR) claimed the Best University title in the poomsae competition, while Marmara University (TUR) secured the Best University award in kyorugi.

Attention now turns to Judo and Kickboxing, with competition scheduled from 14 -16 September. Judo will take over Feti Borova Olympic Park, while the University of Sports Tirana will welcome the Kickboxing competition.

Congratulations to every Karate and Taekwondo athlete, coach, university and delegation that contributed to an outstanding first competition block.

For more information about the EUC Combat Sports 2026, please see: combatsports2026.eusa.eu