Miguel Lopes in his last month as Danish head coach

Miguel Lopes, who has been Head Coach of Judo Denmark since 1 January 2014, resigns per 30 April 2017. Miguel's contract expired on June 30, but he has therefore chosen to join the cooperation with Judo Denmark two months earlier than planned The Danish Judo Federation board is satisfied about the cooperation and saw Denmark a growing number of impressive results.

“The job as Head Coach has at times been a difficult task to solve, and Judo Denmark are very thankful that Miguel undertook the task at a time when wages were mildly modest and tasks in return many. We want Miguel all the best of luck in the future and hope that his skills and insight in the future can get Danish judo benefit.”

“It was a difficult decision to leave Denmark. When I first started in Denmark, my plan was to develop and improve the level of the team by designing a calendar with more substance for each team and that would be similar year after year, so we could measure development, while working at home on the tatami helping with the Judo skills. It was very motivating for me to help out Denmark and see the players growing and achieving good results year after year. Unfortunately due to economical and political reasons I decided to step down.

Denmark will always have a special place with me which I will never forget. And I wish the best of luck and success for the team in the future.”

The 29-year old Portuguese was head coach in a period that Denmark grew with a new generation judoka. At senior level medals were achieved at European Cup level by Frederik Joergensen, Emilie Sook, Benjamin Troest Kjeldsen, Anders Hvidkaer and last year Emilie Sook won a European Open medal in Tallinn. At Cadet level Mathias Madsen took a silver medal at the European Cadet Championships and Laerke Marie Olsen took a victory at the European Cup for Juniors. With Benjamin Troest he took a fifth place at European U23 Championships in 2014 and with Sook in 2016. Also Lopes was involved in the development of Mathias Madsen who booked progress and medals at European Cup level in Cadets and Juniors.

The European Championships in Warsaw will be officially the last international event as head coach of Denmark. “But I might go to the Grand Slam in Ekaterinburg to support Emilie as well.” Emilie Sook will represent Denmark and both are currently in Antalya for the Grand Prix.