English Judo Blogs

Author: Carola Paissoni For the first time ever, Rome is set to host the opening event of the 2026 international U18 circuit, precisely the ‘Millennium Team’ European Cadet Cup. Between 7–8 February, the Palapellicone in Ostia will become the stage for a prestigious competition, welcoming the elite of European cadet judo. The choice of the Italian capital is far from coincidental: with its millennia-old history, Rome evokes strength, challenge and determination. “It is a matter of grea... Read more

Guram Tushishvili has always been one of the most fascinating personalities in heavyweight judo. Fierce, emotional and often unpredictable on the tatami, yet widely described by teammates and friends as warm and soft spoken away from competition, the Georgian heavyweight continues to divide and impress in equal measure. As he turns 31, the question surrounding him is no longer about talent, but whether he can summon one more surge towards Olympic and world supremacy. He won't be fighting in ... Read more

Judo Canada is proud to announce the winners of the Sherwood Ford (AB) bursary program as part of the “The Giant” Canadian Circuit Ranking 2025.This program continues to be a great success, promoting Canadian Circuit events and encouraging the participation of Canada’s top athletes across all age categories. Laurence Gagnon and Vincent Nepton, each receiving a $2,500 bursary for their outstanding performances. “Without the precious support and generosity of Mark Hicks , none of this would be... Read more

Andy Granda has reached a point in his career where reflection comes naturally. Turning 34, the Cuban heavyweight remains one of the most recognisable figures in international judo, a world champion who carried his country’s flag back to the very top and who now stands at a crossroads, balancing legacy, ambition and the realities of time. He will be at the start of the 2026 Grand Slam Paris, but will have to find the solution how to survive the first rounds as it was challenging last year in... Read more

The opening junior event of 2026 will welcome world-class young athletes for their first test of the year. The ultimate goal? The junior European and world championships, and for some, the senior circuit is already firmly in their sights. Currently, the entry list features a total of 346 athletes from 23 countries, with the host nation boosted by nearly 50 judoka. The final line-up is likely to change slightly until the official draw, which will take place on Friday at 19:30 local time an... Read more

Membership Page – Operational Again – Irish Judo Association The IJA along with our webmasters have resolved the technical matter with the IJA Membership Page and the page is now fully operational again. Renewal Memberships or New Memberships can be registered here: Membership – Irish Judo Association Once again, we apologise for the technical issues and any inconvenience caused. IJA Office Issued: 04.02.2026 09.00am The post Irish Judo Association Membership Page – Operational Again first ap... Read more

A groundbreaking judo programme designed specifically for autistic children will soon be available on the European Judo Union’s educational platform , following the success of a pioneering Italian initiative that has already benefited hundreds of children across Europe. The KATAUTISM project, coordinated by the Italian Judo Federation (FIJLKAM), aims to provide judo coaches with specialised training to adapt martial arts instruction for children on the autistic spectrum, a population incr... Read more

For more than a decade, the name Shohei Ono stood for inevitability. When he stepped onto the tatami, the outcome often felt decided before the first grip was taken. Today, as he turns 34 on 3 February, Ono’s life looks very different. The judogi is still there, the presence just as commanding, but the arena has changed. Instead of Olympic finals and world title bouts, he now travels the world sharing his judo through clinics, seminars and demonstrations, shaping the next generation rather t... Read more

Ljubljana has long served as a hub for European judo, hosting elite competitions, development camps and innovative projects that push the sport forward. This month, the Slovenian capital welcomed the official launch of JudoBraille , a two-year Erasmus+ Sport project aiming to make judo fully accessible to blind and visually impaired athletes across Europe. Whilst the EJU is not directly involved, the initiative exemplifies how judo’s community continues evolving to serve every particip... Read more

The men’s tournament at the Paris Grand Slam 2026 never fails to deliver drama and intensity. Even before the first contest, uncertainty remains around final participation due to possible visa issues, but the seeding and expected line up still point towards an exceptional level. Around 300 men are due to arrive in Paris this week, underlining once again the depth of competition at one of judo’s most iconic events. Read more

It is that time of the year again when the judo world turns its attention to Paris. The Paris Grand Slam 2026 promises two days of elite competition at the Accor Arena, where nothing is certain and where favourites can fall early or unexpected talents can make their breakthrough. Around 500 athletes are expected, including more than 200 women, ensuring once again one of the deepest and most competitive tournaments on the calendar. Read more

Tomiki Kenji 富木謙治 sensei (1900–1979)
a remarkable budōka, occupies a special place in the history of our US Embassy Jūdō and Jūjutsu Dōjō, Tokyo.http://www.usejc.org http://www.facebook.com/usejc(NOTE: the Tomiki essay translation starts at the end of this page.) Background: Tomiki sensei was born in 1900 in Akita Prefecture, where he began jūdō as a schoolboy. As a young … Continue reading Tomiki Kenji sensei on the future of budō → Read more

Joakim Dvärby may never have chased the spotlight, but his career tells the story of a judoka who quietly carved out his place on the IJF World Tour through persistence, adaptability and balance beyond the tatami. On Monday he turns 37. Read more

Montréal, February 1, 2026 – For Canada’s judokas, the Belgian Open provided a wealth of learning opportunities on Sunday. “Most of [the athletes] had the chance to fight in several bouts. And for these relatively young competitors, it made for a healthy dose of experience,” explained Canadian coach Antoine Bouchard. In the under-100 kg weight class, Yehor Paladii withdrew from the tournament during the finals of the repechage. “On paper, he won three matches and lost two, but he actua... Read more

Sunday’s final day of the European Open in Sofia belonged to the host nation, as Bulgaria closed the tournament with two gold medals and a bronze, sending the home crowd away on a high. The victories of Gabriela Dimitrova in women’s U52kg and Boris Georgiev in men’s U100kg provided a fitting conclusion to a weekend that once again underlined Sofia’s importance on the European Open circuit. Read more

Victory has many voices. Sometimes it speaks through euphoria and celebration. Sometimes through exhaustion and relief and sometimes, as it did for Bulgaria’s two gold medallists in Sofia, it speaks through raw honesty and dedication that transcends sport entirely. In white: Gabriela Dimitrova (BUL) © Kostadin Andanov GABRIELA DIMITROVA : “Everything in competition is difficult.” The question seems simple enough: which part of today was the hardest? Gabriela Dimitrova pauses. Thinks... Read more

Issa Naschcho, ranked 345th in the world this morning, the Austrian judoka entered the -90kg category at the Sofia European Judo Open as an afterthought in a competitive draw. By the evening, he stood atop the podium, gold medal around his neck, having dismantled higher-ranked opponents and overcome the toughest test of all, facing a teammate in the semi-finals. “This medal is very important for me because it was my first time I had a medal in the seniors,” Naschcho said, the significance... Read more

The second and final day of the European Judo Open Sofia 2026 delivered everything the locals would have dreamed of. Meanwhile, if day one showcased European depth, day two proved that rankings are merely suggestions when athletes step onto the tatami. As the final medal ceremony concluded, Bulgaria stood atop the table with three golds, one silver and three bronzes, a home performance that sent Arena 8888 into euphoria. Japan followed with three golds and a bronze, whilst Ukraine’s two gol... Read more

The first day of the European Open in Sofia delivered a rich blend of speed, experience and emerging senior talent, with strong participation across the categories and a memorable home victory to anchor the programme. Seventeen nations reached the podium, confirming the event’s value as both a proving ground and a measuring stick early in the season. Read more

Laurence Gagnon Captures Under-57 kg Silver Montréal, January 31, 2026 – Canada’s female judokas shone at the Belgian Open on Saturday, winning one gold and one silver medal. Photo Judo Canada Charlie Thibault and Laurence Gagnon Charlie Thibault clinched first place in the under-70 kg category, while Laurence Gagnon finished second in the under-57 kg group. “Charlie was never really in any danger. She took complete control of all the sequences. It’s safe to say that she had a... Read more

Membership Page Issues & Security Warnings – Irish Judo Association The IJA office is aware of current technical issues with regards to members trying to renew or take out a new IJA individual licence. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are working to resolve this with our webmasters. However, as this is a Bank Holiday weekend, we will not have a  solution to the technical issues with regards to the membership form until Tuesday the 3rd February 2026. Once again, we apologise for t... Read more

Victor Skerlev entered the -73kg category at the Sofia European Judo Open amongst top eighth seed, respectively but hardly the overwhelming favourite. Ranked 79th in the world, the 20-year-old Bulgarian had potential on paper but questions in practice. Could he handle the pressure of competing at home? Would expectation weigh heavier than opportunity? By Saturday evening, Arena 8888 had its answer. Skerlev stood atop the podium, gold medal around his neck, having delivered precisely what... Read more

Olha Tsimko wasn’t on anyone’s pre-tournament favourites list. Ranked 167th in the senior world rankings, the 22-year-old Ukrainian entered the -70kg category at the Sofia European Judo Open without fanfare or expectation. By the time she left Arena 8888 on Saturday evening, she would announced herself to European judo in the most emphatic way possible, with gold around her neck and a performance that left observers scrambling to remember her name. Round by round, contest by contest, Tsim... Read more

The opening day of the European Judo Open Sofia 2026 delivered precisely what competitive judo should: unpredictability, drama and a medal table that told the story of depth across European competition. Ukraine finished atop the standings with two golds and one silver but the victories were spread wide, 17 nations claimed at least one medal by day’s end, testament to the quality and balance of the field descending on Arena 8888. From teenage champions announcing their arrival to home favo... Read more

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In modern judo, longevity at the very top is rare. Fewer still manage to cross weight categories, Olympic cycles and generations of opponents while remaining relevant. Lasha Shavdatuashvili has done exactly that. Olympic champion, world champion and three time Olympic medallist, he turns 34 with a career that continues to grow rather than fade. Read more

Yasuhiro Yamashita is widely regarded as the best judoka of his generation, a true phenomenon whose dominance reshaped expectations of what was possible in the sport. From the late 1970s into the mid 1980s, his presence on the tatami carried a sense of certainty that bordered on the unreal. Read more

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Sylvia & Deirdre attended the Sport Ireland Core Grant 2026 announcement on Wednesday, the 21st of January 2026 at the National Indoor Arena. The Irish Judo Association is delighted to receive core funding for 2026 and appreciates the continued support from Sport Ireland to further develop Judo in 2026. The post Irish Judo Delighted to Receive Sport Ireland Core Grant Funding for 2026 first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

Montréal, January 25, 2026 – Canada’s judokas collected an impressive number of medals this weekend at the African Open in Casablanca, Morocco. In the senior, junior, and cadet events, the Canadians made a total of nineteen appearances on the podium. Photo Judo Canada Lowan Le Bris, Carla Van Zyl, Catherine Toshkov and Heidi Quach Heidi Quach earned the country’s highest senior-level result, capturing silver in the under-48 kg competition on Sunday. After receiving a first-round ... Read more

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The Konan Promotional Clinic has changed the date due to weather conditions that could make traveling difficult on the day of the event. The new date is Saturday January 31st. Please see the flyer below. Read more

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Judo Canada is proud to announce the official roster of the 2026 NEXTGEN Team , a national identification program designed to support high-potential young judoka in their long-term development. The NextGen project will offer additional opportunities such as workshops and training camps, and aims to develop tomorrow’s leaders of Canadian judo. For the 2026 season, the selection process generated very strong interest across the country. High-quality applications were received from coast ... Read more

The New IJA Membership App Is Here! We are excited to launch the brand-new IJA Membership App , now ready to download and enjoy. This new app is a great new benefit for members, making it easier than ever to access important information, updates, and resources – all in one handy place, whenever you need them. Getting started is simple: download the app and follow the quick instruction guide to get set up. It’s just another way the Irish Judo Association is making it easier for members to stay... Read more

Referee Course 24th January 2026 10am to 3pm Email@ [email protected] before Thursday 22nd January 2026 to book your place.   The post Connacht Judo Council – Referee’s Course – 24th January 2026 first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

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Budokan’s annual premier event was held in December. We presented 53 awards to 66 recipients. Read more

All club training fees , available for 3-month or 12-month periods, have been amended on our club website, in our virtual shop (training fee vouchers) in RevSport and on information sheets available at the club. Read more

I mentioned in December’s newsletter that the “Dynamic Balance For Life Introductory Program” is a partnership between Budokan (and only a few other Judo clubs) and Judo Australia to introduce principles of landing safely to our senior citizens. Read more

We would like to stimulate club membership growth as soon as classes resume. To achieve this the club will reward current club members who introduce new members to the club by giving them a Judo uniform (Judogi). Eligibility for the Judogi give-away follows: Read more

Having now completed the mat refurbishment and removed the 2 folded up tarpaulins from the south end of the mat, we are in a position to find these tarps a new home. They haven’t been used since before COVID after which we introduced a regular mat cleaning protocol. Read more

As mentioned above, the second project completed over the holidays was the refurbishment of the club’s mat area and a general clean-up. This was a slow and tedious process involving 5 Budokanis and completed over 3 days. This involved: Read more

Hi to all Budokanis, Happy New Year to all our members. We hope that you had a lovely holiday season and wish you a wonderful 2026 whatever your goals are on and off the mat.  Read more

Congratulations to all our athletes who completed their HSC exams this year and who have started their post-school journey. Great to see that they all kept up their Judo training during the year, some competing both domestically and internationally. Wishing you all well in your next chapter. Read more

As part of the club’s safety and risk management policy, please refrain from taking photos or video at training sessions. On occasions we may take some promotional photos and videos and post these on the club website. Read more

Kaizen Judo Club – Cork On behalf of the President Ms Sylvia O’Flynn, the IJA Executive Board, our clubs, and our members, we would like to welcome Kaizen Judo Club to the Irish Judo Association. Head Coach Brian Cotter is very excited to set up a new club in the Cork region within the Association. Brian & his family are well-known within the judo circles and they look forward to continue participating and competing in Irish Judo. Further details can be found in our clubs’ section:  https:... Read more

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Hello everyone, Very Important message from the PJC that will impact the access to coaching accreditation at Montreal Open/Cup in November 2026 On behalf of Ms. Yuri Alvear, Education Director of the Panamerican Judo Confederation (PJC), we are sharing an important summary regarding the progressive application of certification requirements for coaches, in accordance with point 4.1 of the IJF Sport and Organization Rules (SOR): As of March 1, 2026:  To coach at Panamerican Champions... Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is proud to announce that Nigel Bowley has been awarded his 6th Dan, recognising an exceptional lifetime of dedication and service to the sport of judo. A member of Sentai Judo, Nigel’s achievement reflects not only his high-level technical expertise but also an extraordinary 50 years of involvement in judo. Over five decades, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the principles, values, and development of the sport. Nigel is widely respected as... Read more

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Christmas Message from NIJF Chairman Russell Brown As we reach the close of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared together as the Northern Ireland Judo Federation. This year has felt very much like a judo competition itself. We’ve faced challenges head‑on, sometimes being thrown, sometimes finding ourselves under pressure, but always rising again. In those moments, we’ve had to look inside ourselves, to draw strength from our discipline, our c... Read more

Would you be interested in representing the Y&H area at the national teams competiton in 2026? Read more

https://static.judocanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Liste-des-athletes-brevetes.pdf Read more

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Date: Sunday February 22, 2026 Time: Registration: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Test: 1:00 pm Location: IPPON Martial Arts, 16735 Ridge Road, Northville, MI 48168 Registration Fee: $20 All candidates must submit all their paperwork by January 3, 2025. Submit paperwork to Frances Glaze, Chair of Konan Board of Examiners, and Tom Sheehan, Chair of Konan […] Read more

Date: Saturday January 231, 2026 Time: Registration: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Clinic: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Location: IPPON Martial Arts, 16735 Ridge Road, Northville, MI 48168 Registration Fee: $20 All candidates must submit all their paperwork by January 3, 2026. Submit paperwork to Frances Glaze, Chair of Konan Board of Examiners, and Tom Sheehan, […] Read more

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Sarah O’Gara – IJA Referee – Journey in Judo as a Referee Sarah O’Gara has started her journey towards obtaining her IJF International Refereeing qualifications supported by the IJA Refereeing Commission and the IJA Women in Sport programme Join our Journey in Judo. In October, Sarah attended the Welsh Open and sent the IJA a report on how the event went from her perspective as a female referee continuing her refereeing journey towards international qualification. Welsh Open 2025 – Reflective... Read more

All Ireland’s 2025 The final judo event of the year was held on Saturday the 13th December 2025 with over 400 entries gave us an outstanding day of judo. Results are now available below: All Ireland’s 2025 – Results Well done to all of our judoka who competed at the weekend and to the coaches for supporting them. The post All Ireland’s 2025 – Results first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

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The Irish Judo Association is pleased to announce that the Points & Wins from the Leinster Kyu & Dan Championships , held on 16th November 2025 , are now available. The results have been uploaded to the Competition Results section for members to review. Congratulations to all athletes who competed across the Kyu and Dan grades. Thank you to the Leinster Judo Council, referees, volunteers, and coaches for delivering a well-run and successful provincial championship. To view the complete Points... Read more

Munster Open 2025 – Official Points & Wins Now Available The Irish Judo Association is pleased to share the official Points & Wins from the Munster Open 2025 , held on 30th November 2025 . The results have now been uploaded to the Competition Results section for all members to review. Congratulations to all competitors who took part, and thank you to the organisers, volunteers, referees, and coaches who helped deliver another successful provincial event. Your continued commitment supports the... Read more

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Montréal, December 7, 2025 – Canadian judokas  François Gauthier-Drapeau  and  Coralie Godbout  finished seventh in their respective categories on Sunday at the Grand Slam in Tokyo, Japan. Both will depart the event having learned some valuable lessons. Photo IJF (c) Emanuele Di Feliciantonio In the under-81 kg weight category, Gauthier-Drapeau concluded the competition with two wins and two losses. The 27-year-old Canadian, who captured gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam last week,... Read more

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Montréal, December 6, 2025 –  Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard  would have preferred a stronger result on Saturday in her first competition in nearly six months. However, at the iconic Tokyo Grand Slam in Japan, the Canadian was limited to a single test after receiving a bye in the first round. Photo Tom Taylor – Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard in white In the under-63 kg category, Beauchemin-Pinard was ousted by Israel’s Gili Sharir, the gold medallist at the Zagreb Grand Prix in November,... Read more

We look at three core types of kouchi: a) Kouchi-Gari (Kenka-Yotsu) b) Kouchi-Makikomi (Kenka-Yotsu) c) Kouchi-Gake (Ai-Yotsu) Read more

Montréal, November 29, 2025 – Canada’s François Gauthier-Drapeau scooped up the second Grand Slam gold medal of his career on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, ending an outstanding day in the under-81 kg category atop the podium in Abu Dhabi. Photo: IJF François Gauthier-Drapeau After opening the scoring in the first minute of the final against Russia’s Abdul-Kerim Tasuev, he added a waza-ari to the board with just over two minutes to go, on his way to a decisive victory. Howe... Read more

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We break down tai-otoshi into its component parts for both kenka-yotsu (opposite stance) and ai-yotsu (same stance). In this video, you will learn how to get the optimal gripping, leg movement, hip placement and finishing for tai-otoshi. Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is delighted to announce that Darren Dean has been awarded his 7th Dan, recognising his exceptional contribution, dedication, and lifelong commitment to the sport of judo. This prestigious grade reflects not only Darren’s outstanding technical ability but also his decades of service to the judo community. Throughout his long career, Darren has been a driving force in nurturing talent, supporting clubs, and strengthening the development of judo across Wales. His in... Read more

We break down standing ippon-seoi-nage according to: a) Grips b) Stance c) Leg positioning d) Rotation Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is proud to recognise three remarkable individuals who have dedicated decades of service to our sport — Eileen Heaven, Neil Lawcock, and David Smith — as they retire from their roles as judo referees. Refereeing is one of the most demanding and vital roles in judo. It requires discipline, confidence, fairness, and a deep understanding of the values that underpin our sport. It means long days on the mat, weekends away from family, and the responsibility of making sp... Read more

Congratulations to Stephen Sims – Newly Qualified IJF Continental B Referee! Stephen Sims has officially joined the ranks of IJF Continental B Referees after a demanding and successful examination weekend in Malaga, Spain. Over the course of three intense days, Stephen demonstrated his deep knowledge and sharp officiating skills, earning a prestigious qualification that now allows him to referee at major international events such as European Opens. Stephen was one of 23 candidates w... Read more

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Gladiators star, Fury, and swimming champion Michael Gunning back NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign, calling on parents in Northern Ireland to play their part Broadcasters, influencers and figures from the sporting world have come together with NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to call on parents and carers across Northern Ireland to get involved in Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week (6–12 October 2025). The annual campaign highlights the vital role par... Read more