The year of 2024, an Olympic year, was truly unforgettable for judo, marked by breathtaking performances, historic milestones and new names etched into the sport’s legacy. This year embodied the essence of judo, uniting the global judo family in celebration.
In the spirit of this exceptional year, the IJF Judo Awards introduced an exciting new format. For the first time, national federations had the opportunity to submit nominees, with the judo community casting votes to determine a shortlist for each category. An expert panel from the IJF then selected the ultimate winners from these finalists. On the second day of the Paris Grand Slam, the prestigious awards were presented at the iconic Accor Arena Bercy, honouring an outstanding group of judoka, both athletes and coaches, before an appreciative crowd. The European Judo Union was able to claim a handful of the winners as its own.
Award 1: Judo for Children, presented by IJF World Promotion Director Mr Haruki Uemura.
This is one of the most inspiring categories, focusing on the future of our sport. This award recognises the exceptional efforts to inspire, guide and nurture the next generation of judoka, ensuring a lasting legacy of judo for years to come. The award was presented to Mr Stéphane Nomis, France Judo President and to Sebastien Nolesini, Director General.
This year’s finalists:
- Adaptive Judo for Children
- The Japanese Olympic champions vs the IJF Judo Kids at the Tokyo Grand Slam
- France Judo’s creation of 300 dojos for children in underprivileged neighbourhoods
Award 2: Coaching Achievement of the Year
This award celebrates coaches who, with their wisdom, passion and unwavering support, have guided their athletes to achieve greatness.
This year’s finalists:
- Richard Trautmann (AZE)
- Marko Spittka (UZB)
- Baptiste Leroy (FRA)
Each of these coaches has provided an unrivalled environment for their athletes, creating the conditions for them to reach extraordinary levels within their sport, inspiring others as great coaches and incredible role models. All three coaches have contributed to international judo in 2024 and therefore each of them received an award according to their specific area of expertise. At this ceremony, Europe won two of the three awards.
Award 3: Rising Star of the Year, presented by IJF Director General Mr Vlad Marinescu
This award celebrates nominees who shine brightly today and hold the promise of greatness for tomorrow.
This year’s finalists:
- Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA)
- Tara Babulfath (SWE)
- Nihad Mamishov (AZE)
This award recognises the extraordinary impact of this young Olympic silver medallist and his key victory against Hifumi Abe in the Olympic mixed team final.
Award 4: Male Judoka of the Year, presented by Dr Toth Laszlo, IJF Vice-President and EJU President
This award honours the Male Judoka of the Year, chosen by a public vote to celebrate the pinnacle of excellence in men’s judo.
This year’s finalists:
- Hidayat Heydarov (AZE)
- Yeldos Smetov (KAZ)
- Lasha Bekauri (GEO)
Award 5: Ippon of the Year, presented by the IJF President, Mr Marius Vizer
What could be more thrilling than a perfectly executed throw? The nominees for Ippon of the Year embody the very essence of mastery and excellence in judo.
This year’s finalists:
- Matvey Kanikovskiy (IJF)
- Teddy Riner (FRA)
- Manuel Lombardo (ITA)
As the ceremony drew to a close and the winners received their final round of applause, it was more evident than ever that 2024 was a remarkable year for judo. From unforgettable performances to groundbreaking milestones at the Olympic Games and beyond, this year truly embodied the spirit of our sport.
Source: International Judo Federation
Author: Szandra Szogedi