Olympic bronze medallist Ilse Heylen has long exchanged the pressure of the Olympic stage for the energy of the tatami filled with children. Ahead of her annual training camp in Lommel, now entering a new chapter in collaboration with the European Judo Union, we conversed with the founder of the Ilse Heylen Judo Academy to reflect on how a local initiative grew into a long-term vision. What began as an opportunity following the final edition of the Soeverein Cup has evolved into a carefully built project rooted in judo values, friendship and development. With EJU, now strengthening its future, Heylen shares her inspiration, her coaching philosophy and her hopes of turning this Belgian camp into a recognised fixture on the European calendar.
Your annual training camp has become a highlight for many young judoka. How did the idea first come about and what inspired you to create it?
Ilse Heylen: The International Tournament of Lommel, the Soeverein Cup, was organised for the last time in 2023. We immediately got the offer from the club of Lommel and its chairman, Mr. Jean-Jacques Melotte, to organise ‘something’ at the date of this tournament. As we (the Ilse Heylen Judo Academy) are not based in Lommel, the choice for a training camp instead of a tournament, was quickly made. From the start, we expressed the wish of building a training camp that would last for many years. We accepted the fact that we would have to grow along the years and that the first years would perhaps be difficult in terms of getting enough people to come to our camp but we took on the challenge.
This year marks a new chapter with the camp running in collaboration with the European Judo Union. What does this partnership mean to you personally and professionally?
IH: In my 20 years career of high level judo, I participated in a lot of EJU events and training camps. The EJU decision to team up with the Ilse Heylen Judo Academy for the organisation means a lot to me. It is a recognition of the effort I have put in, together with my husband and coach Olivier Berghmans, to develop my own Academy. For almost 10 years now after my active career I am spreading the message of Kano, teaching judo to kids, youngsters, adults, from beginners to experienced athletes. I hope that together with the EJU, we will be able to put this organisation ‘on the calendar’ and turn it into an event that people from all over Europe will want to attend.
What makes this camp different from other youth training events on the calendar?
IH: We are very lucky with our venue and with the surroundings. The city of Lommel and the Judoclub of Lommel both support our organisation and the Soeverein Sportshall is a fantastic venue. A 2000 square metre tatami is a possibility, even more, if needed. Participants have nice dressing rooms and can have their meals just next to the tatami. The Soeverein has also meeting rooms, so in the future we can even think about having different workshops and seminars during our camp. The CenterParcs Holiday Centre is only 2 km away from the venue. It has a hotel but also a lot of cottages for 4, 6 or 8 people. The parc presents a lot of opportunities, not only for the judoka but also for their parents, friends and family. So really ideal to come here for a combination of judo and relaxation.
As an Olympic medallist, how do you adapt your coaching approach when working with children compared to elite athletes?
IH: Elite athletes have to perform, make results. They have to cope with the pressure this result-driven aspect brings. Children have to make fun on the tatami when learning the basic skills of judo. They should make friends and learn about the fun sport that is judo. We, the teachers, should bring as many children as possible to our sport. Give the children a taste of every aspect of our sport, and maybe, they will long for competition.
Beyond technical skills, what key values or life lessons do you hope the children take home from this experience?
IH: We all know the values of our sport are very important but allow me to highlight a few of them, especially for the children. On those children camps, friendship is very important to me. I always hope the children will make some new friends, even if they do not speak the same language. Who knows, they might even pick up a bit of vocabulary in an other language. Of course, respect for each other is also key. Both on and off a tatami people should have respect. On a tatami, these values should always be communicated. Take care of your partner, when throwing him, is a good example. As a judo teacher, I always consider myself as an extension of the parents, trying to teach their children these values and hoping that the children will take these values home with them.
How do you create an environment where young judoka feel both challenged and safe to grow?
IH: This is not always easy but I always try to create a safe environment by being curious about their life, trying to know them as well as possible. Even if there are many children, try to give them the feeling they are, each and every one, important. Confidence will grow and they will admit you to come into their world and they will also admit being challenged by you, a trusted person.
What has been the most rewarding moment for you since launching the camp?
IH: The “thank you” we get from the coaches and the participating athletes after three days of hard working is always very rewarding. After the event, sitting together with our volunteers and having a drink and a short evaluation, knowing that these people have given their full 100% for our camp is also rewarding. Being able to say thank you and realising that this was, for them, a great team building and that we together, turned this into a success, gives us a good feeling.
Finally, how would you like to see the camp evolve under the EJU collaboration in the coming years?
IH: We built this training camp from scratch and want to see it grow in the future. We think we have a perfect venue and perfect accommodation really nearby. We like to think we also have the needed skills. So everything is there to make this into a nice yearly event on the EJU calendar. We hope the EJU will continue supporting our event and that together, the Ilse Heylen Judo Academy, the Belgian Judo Federation and the EJU, we can develop this into a mass event known throughout Europe. Let’s work hard together and fingers crossed!
Registration is still open for the 2026 camp. Follow the link to sign up: IHJA International Soeverein Training Camp
Author: Szandra Szogedi