On 3 July, a panel of experts from across the judo world will come together for a virtual conference hosted by the European Judo Union to explore the future of safe, strong and inclusive judo.
Among the speakers on the topic of Safe Combat is Juliane Robra, a partner at the Sport Evolution Alliance, a former Swiss judo and European medallist whose career on the tatami continues to influence her work today.
“What makes judo unique is that it is not simply a sport, it is a ‘Do’, a path,” Robra told the EJU in a recent interview.
“The idea of lifelong learning and continuous self-improvement is deeply embedded in judo. Competition was only one stage of that journey. The lessons learned on the tatami continue to guide my decisions, relationships and professional life today.”
One of those lessons, she said, is that success looks different for everyone. Rather than encouraging comparison, judo teaches practitioners to focus on their own development, an outlook that has helped her appreciate diversity within teams and organisations and recognise the many ways people can contribute to a shared goal.
She also credits judo’s principles of mutual welfare and benefit, and the best use of energy, as lasting influences on her life and work.
“Recovery is not separate from performance, it is part of performance,” Robra said, explaining that sustainable success depends on balancing effort with rest and reflection. That lesson remains especially relevant in her professional and family life, where managing energy over the long term is just as important as striving for results.
The values of the Judo Moral Code, including respect, courage, sincerity, honour, modesty, self-control, friendship and politeness, continue to shape how she leads projects, builds relationships and approaches challenges. She also credits judo with teaching resilience, learning to overcome setbacks, adapt and keep moving forward.
For Robra, judo remains “an education for life”, one that continues to guide her pursuit of personal growth, wise decision-making and continuous improvement, both on and off the tatami.
“Every day offers a new opportunity to reflect, adjust, and start again. In that sense, I am still practising judo every day,” she said.
Robra carries those values into her work with the Sport Evolution Alliance, an “international non-profit organisation using sport as a catalyst for education, inclusion, integrity, wellbeing and social transformation across Europe and beyond,” as per their website.
“While the Sport Evolution Alliance is not a judo organisation, many of the principles that guide our work are deeply aligned with the philosophy of judo and influence how we operate every day,” she said.
“Judo is not simply a sport, it is an educational system designed to develop the whole person,” she said.
Robra believes these qualities make judo a powerful tool for promoting inclusion, personal development, leadership, well-being and social cohesion. “Ultimately, judo is about helping people become the best version of themselves while contributing positively to the well-being of others.”
Much like the judo values shaped her as a person, they are also reflected throughout the organisation’s work, from promoting respect, integrity and inclusion to tackling difficult issues such as safeguarding and discrimination. The Alliance also embraces continuous learning, values diverse perspectives and relies on trust, collaboration and strong relationships to drive meaningful change.
For Robra, these principles are not simply ideals but practical guides for decision-making and leadership. “In that sense, I would say that the spirit of judo is very much present in the way the Sport Evolution Alliance operates.”
Looking ahead to the virtual conference, the EJU asked Robra why safety should be a priority in combat sports. The European medallist described it as essential to the long-term health and success of both athletes and organisations.
“Combat sports and martial arts offer tremendous benefits, but they also involve inherent risks,” she said. “Promoting safety is a prerequisite for sustainable participation, development and success.”
She explained that a strong safety culture protects participants’ physical and mental well-being, supports athlete welfare and safeguarding, and helps create positive training environments built on trust and respect. It also encourages long-term participation by reducing avoidable injuries and ensuring athletes can develop and perform consistently.
Robra said the Safe Combat certification provides clubs and coaches with practical tools to improve risk management, injury prevention and safeguarding practices, while demonstrating a commitment to participant welfare.
“Safe Combat certification is not simply about preventing injuries. It is about creating a culture where health, safety, respect, safeguarding and performance work together.”
For athletes, she added, the benefits include safer training environments, greater confidence in support systems and better opportunities for long-term development and success.
Don’t miss out on Robra’s panel at the upcoming conference! Details below.
Programme
Date: Friday, 03 July 2026
Time: 17:00 – 20:30 CET
FREE admission
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/blDd0bkaR0e6UusOKPI7Bw
Throughout the programme, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions and interactive sessions designed to encourage open dialogue and active involvement from everyone attending.
| Welcome address | Dr Martin Poiger, EJU Secretary General |
| Diversity & Accessibility | Andrew Scoular (EJU Human Rights Commission, British Judo) |
| How to get your club “Safe Combat”-certified | Juliane Robra (Sport Evolution Alliance, Judo Switzerland) & Prof. Nemanja Stankovich (EJU Scientific Commission, University of Niš / Serbia) |
| Men as Allies: Using our Power for Gender Equality in Judo | Roger Svedberg (EJU Human Right Commission & Leader of The motor network from Swedish Judo Federation) |
| Mental Health as a Basis for Performance | Veronika Jakl (IJF Mental Health Officer, EJU Safeguarding Referent, Judo Austria) |
Author: Grace Goulding