The European Judo Union (EJU), in close collaboration with the University of Seville, has successfully presented the innovative Safe Fall–Safe Schools project at the AIESEP 2025 International Conference, currently taking place in Florida, USA. The International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) is recognised as the most prestigious global academic forum in the field of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy.
This pioneering initiative, which integrates judo ukemi techniques as a method for preventing injuries from accidental falls, was met with great interest by the 363 experts from 40 countries in attendance. The proposal to apply traditional judo techniques to improve child safety and health marks a significant evolution of our federation’s motto: “Judo, More Than a Sport.”
During the congress, representatives from renowned trauma centres in Miami, as well as institutions and universities from Qatar, Korea, Israel, China, the United States, and Nigeria, expressed strong interest in collaborating and replicating the program in their respective countries. These experts recognised the great educational and preventive potential of judo ukemi in school environments.
“This is a key moment for the development and expansion of the program. Thanks to judo, we can offer PE teachers a practical, effective, and transformative tool: teaching children how to fall safely, in order to live more safely, a true life skill”, – stated Dr Óscar del Castillo, professor at the University of Seville and EJU Commissioner leading the project.
He added: “We can now provide Physical Education teachers with a new, valuable content to implement in their practical classes, the ability to fall, based on judo ukemi, not only as a motor skill, but as an essential component of students’ health and safety.”
The presentation also showcased the Safe Fall–Safe Schools APP, a user-friendly digital tool that enables teachers to integrate the program into their PE curriculum. This technological innovation drew strong interest from attendees due to its direct applicability in diverse educational contexts around the world.
With initiatives like Safe Fall–Safe Schools, the European Judo Union continues to demonstrate its commitment to the holistic development of individuals, expanding the reach of judo beyond the tatami and into society, as a discipline that contributes to well-being, health, and safety, especially for younger generations. Furthermore, this milestone strengthens the international positioning of judo as a sport of values, science and future.
Link to the conference: https://www.aiesepstpete2025.com
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Safe Fall – Safe Schools Seminar in Europe
The European Judo Union is pleased to announce the 4th International Training and Research Seminar: “Safe Fall—Safe Schools: JUDO UKEMI AT SCHOOL” will be held in Zadar, Croatia, from 28 to 29 June 2025. The event is organised in cooperation with the University of Seville and the Croatian Judo Federation.
The event is free of charge, but registration is required via the following link: https://forms.gle/AkQvZD78XFraCtWv7
Author: Szandra Szogedi