When you attend an adapted judo event, it feels like stepping into a living storybook, surrounded by the characters of countless real-life stories. Everywhere you look, their journeys unfold before your eyes, stories with many chapters shaped by endless doctor appointments, small daily victories, and the constant battle to move forward, one uncertain step at a time. Yet, amid all of this, what truly stands out during these events is the joy. Away from the weight of their everyday challenges, participants and their families find a rare sense of belonging, a place that offers peace, pride, and possibility: the dojo.
As the Open European Adapted Judo Championships in Conegliano draw near, many more of these stories are about to be written, stories of parents and families who, whether we choose to admit it or not, often live on the margins of what society calls “normal life.” They may be excluded from the world most take for granted, yet they live their own version of normal, one filled with resilience, love, and hope. In many cases, judo becomes the bridge between these two worlds, built carefully and steadily, one step at a time, creating a space where everyone belongs.
Three mothers from Bronx Judo Club in Romania, offered to share their deeply personal testimonies about how judo transformed their children’s lives, and, perhaps even more profoundly, their own.
Mariana, mother of 16-year-old Mihai:
“For ten years, we worked incredibly hard to help my son, who has severe ADHD, reach the point where he is today. He used to be very isolated, unable to focus or connect with others but since starting judo just over a year ago, everything has changed.
“Before judo, his energy was uncontrollable, he was constantly restless and doing things without thinking. Now, that energy is focused and structured. Through judo, he has learned discipline, teamwork, and respect. Most importantly, he has started to communicate and socialise; he works beautifully with the other children. For us, adapted judo has been life-changing, it’s better than any therapy we have tried. We now travel together to competitions in places like the Netherlands, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia, and he absolutely loves it. Judo has not only helped his development; it has given him confidence, purpose, and joy.”
Oama, mother of 6-year-old Maria:
“My daughter is six years old and has Down syndrome. She attended at her first judo competition this summer, and she absolutely loved it. Judo is the first sport she has ever done, and although she still sees it as playtime, it’s helping her learn so much, to follow rules, to focus, and even to understand that sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. She is very energetic and playful, and judo gives her a wonderful way to use that energy in a positive way.
“Since she started, I have already noticed a big difference. Physically, she is stronger, she used to have low muscle tone, but now she is improving every day. She also knows when it is time to play and when it is time to be serious. For us as parents, this journey is amazing. We see our children learning new things all the time, not just on the tatami but at home as well, and working together with other parents makes it even more special, we help each other’s children, share ideas, and celebrate every little step. It truly feels like being part of a family.”
Raluca, mother of 11-year-old Nicholas:
“My son Nicholas is 11 years old and has autism. He has been practising judo for about a year now. Before that, he was a very sensitive and emotional boy, often afraid of other people and of being hurt. He used to feel that everyone else was stronger than him but judo has helped him so much, he has become more confident, he listens to others, and he works together with the other children, which he never did before. For ten years it was just the two of us, alone, and our lives have completely changed since joining this judo family.
“For me, the change has been just as big. I feel happier and more connected, and my relationship with him is so much better. I understand him more, I accept him for who he is, and I truly appreciate every little progress he makes. The team around us means everything, they are my only real support, and they have, in many ways, saved me. I am a sensitive person, and maybe he is like me, but through judo we have both found strength. When I train and work with other children, I feel young again, I can laugh, cry, and play. It’s as if the joy of being a parent has returned to me. Before judo, I often struggled to find a reason to wake up each morning, but now, thanks to this journey, I feel alive again. It truly is a rebirth, for both of us.”
Images: Bor Veronika
Author: Szandra Szogedi