18 January 2025

"WE ARE GOING IN ONE DIRECTION"

Adapted Judo

"WE ARE GOING IN ONE DIRECTION"

In a room filled with passion, the Adapted Judo Workshop 2025 began in Budapest, as the time has come to review the rules of adapted judo. Participants from over 20 nations have taken necessary steps to join this incredible journey and make progress towards a better, more inclusive society through the sport of judo.

Before the discussions began, EJU President Dr Toth Laszlo stressed the importance of this weekend in his address to all participants;

Let me start by saying how thankful I am and impressed at the same time of the turnout of this weekend. We have 51 national federation and almost 50% of those federations are here. This shows dedication, belief and passion. I always like to recall my first real encounter of adapted judo during the Rijeka Kata European Judo Championships a few years back. I am not a man of tears but I did cry after seeing the adapted judo demonstration. That moment, I promised myself if I was to take a seat at the office, EJU must take initiatives to progress this program and give the platform to offer inclusivity in judo across Europe.

Before, the focus was always on the Olympics and elite level medals and yet I must note how often we use the term “Judo, more than sport”. Now, your work is the leading example of that statement. Some of you have been working in building adapted judo for years or even decades and you did this with or without attention from others. For this, I am very thankful becuase it shows you are not doing all this work for any special recognition but from the place of passion. It is time to show your work to the world and we, EJU are here to support this. We are walking together in one direction, on the same road. We are going to create a more inclusive place for our society via our sport.

Education is important, not only adapted judo but other projects too and we must remember the words of Professor Jigoro Kano. Still, this weekend is about you, not only those who worked around this project for a while but those who are new to it and keen to learn, develop and be inclusive. We appreciate all of you.

EJU Vice-President for Education, Ms Kristiina PEKKOLA, also expressed her appreciation at the beginning of the day;

Thank you for your commitment in coming to Budapest. We are making history and you are all an important part of it.

The meeting is under way and the final decision on all elements of the rules will be the subject of a press release after the meeting is over. Until then, remember, “Judo, More than Sport – Judo For All.”

Author: Szandra Szogedi