1962 European Judo Championships

The 1962 European Judo Championships were the 11th edition of the European Judo Championships, and were held in Essen, West Germany on 12–13 May 1962. The Championships were held in two separate categories: amateur (9 events,) professional (4 events.) Amateur contests were subdivided into weight classes (4 events,) experience classes (4 events,) and a separate team competition (1 event.) Professional contests were subdivided only into weight classes. As it was the first ever edition of the European Judo Championships hosting judokas from the Socialist countries (Eastern European and Soviet) though they didn't participate in the professional contests as professional sports were banned there. Contrary to modern Olympic-based practice of one athlete per weight class, more than one representative of a single national team were allowed to qualify for participation in each event. The professional category (then called the "open category") was established for those, who were teaching judo and hence, were not consideted amateurs in the Olympics' category.[1] This later costed Anton Geesink his participation at the judo event of the 1964 Olympics.[2]