During the Adapted Judo Workshop in Houlgate on 4 December, a rich exchange of ideas unfolded, spanning topics from autism to deaf judo, with contributions from a diverse and deeply committed group of professionals. High-school PE teachers, high-performance coaches, experts in inclusion and international officials all gathered under one roof with a shared purpose: to ensure that judo truly becomes a sport for all.
Among the distinguished guests were Damien Antoine, President of the Deaf International Judo Federation (DIJF) and Talgat Abdymamynov, the organisation’s CEO and General Secretary. Their presence signalled both progress and promise. DIJF, established only in August 2024, has already built solid foundations, strengthened significantly by a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Judo Federation (IJF) signed later that year.
Their presentation in Houlgate outlined the first steps of a long-term vision: the creation of a ranking system, a structured competition calendar, new training methodologies and a programme of workshops and seminars designed to educate and to raise awareness and understanding. Discussions also touched on the refereeing system for deaf athletes an essential element in ensuring fairness and accessibility. It was, in every sense, the right moment for DIJF to share its journey so far.
Reflecting on the workshop, Mr Abdymamynov spoke with genuine appreciation for the opportunity to introduce DIJF to the European Judo Union as well as others for the first time. He highlighted not only the quality of the facility but also the importance of learning about the adapted judo pathways, from autism to visual impairment, motor disabilities and more, while contributing their own perspective on deaf inclusion. That sense of unity was echoed repeatedly throughout the day.
Mr Antoine, who also serves as a member of the IJF’s newly established Inclusion Commission, emphasised how critical such gatherings are for building understanding across all branches of adapted judo. “We are all one huge judo family,” he expressed, underscoring the shared responsibility to develop the sport collectively, without dividing its communities by disability. For both leaders, the European Judo Union’s significant advances in Adapted Judo over the past three years, now involving almost 30 active nations, represent a profound shift in how the sport embraces its diverse practitioners. Their gratitude for being part of this movement was unmistakable, especially for Mr Antoine, whose personal journey as a deaf judoka has shaped his mission.
He spoke with heartfelt sincerity about the need for visibility: deafness is often an “invisible” disability, easily misunderstood. Integration, he explained, is not only organisational but human. Seeing adapted judoka of different backgrounds, he feels a natural kinship, a reminder that all belong to the same judo family.
The DIJF’s plans are both ambitious and inclusive and their vision aligns seamlessly with the spirit of the IJF Inclusion Commission, whose creation they credit to IJF President Marius Vizer’s commitment to a more unified global judo community. That unity is also reflected in the excitement surrounding the recently announced fully inclusive Grand Slam in Lausanne, an unprecedented moment in world sport. As Mr Abdymamynov shared, preparations are already underway in collaboration with Sergei Aschwanden and the event team, with hopes of also organising an international training camp.
Meanwhile, in Houlgate, the momentum continues as the final Get Together Adapted Judo event begins, welcoming nearly 200 competitors, including, for the first time, athletes from Georgia and Luxembourg. It is clear that what unfolded during this workshop was a celebration of progress and a promise of what judo, at its best, can become: a sport where everyone belongs and where inclusion is not a separate project but the very heart of the journey forward.
Author: Szandra Szogedi