A Week of Rising Stars

Uzbekistan, who made a flying start by claiming three titles on the opening day, confirmed their dominance ...

Japan Retain Their Mixed Team Crown in Sofia

The closing day of the OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025 offered all the intensity and drama ...

Mixed Teams: A New Balance of Power in Sofia?

The curtain has not yet fallen on the OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025. After four days ...

A Golden Finale for the Individuals in Sofia

The final day of individual competition at the OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025 delivered ...

+90 kg: Abalaki Delivers Georgia’s Fifth Medal with Heavyweight Gold

The semi-final line-up had a familiar feel, with athletes from Georgia, Japan and Czechia — nations ...

+70 kg: Nigmatova Powers Through to Uzbekistan’s Fifth Title

There was much at stake in the final women’s category of the day and the match-up for the gold medal ...

-90 kg: Suleimanov Stands Tall for Gold

The fate of the top seeds varied throughout the week. Some rose to the level of the event, while others ...

-70 kg: Clarisse Valim Dominates to Deliver Gold for Brazil

Top seed and world number one Lucie Rullier (FRA) came to Sofia eager to prove that her status was fully ...

Uzbekistan Extends Its Lead

The OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025 are now past the halfway stage, with only two days ...

Day Four Preview: The Final Day of Individual Competition

The final day of individual competition at the OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025 is upon us, before ...

Surprises, Confirmations and Rising Stars

Day three of the OTP Group World Cadet Championships in Sofia was marked by a mix of confirmations at ...

-81kg: Bakhodirov Shines as Uzbekistan Claims Another Title

Top seed Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) began the morning with confidence, securing convincing victories over ...

-63 kg: Alieva’s Golden Arm

The -63 kg category offered a mix of confirmations and surprises through the day. Among the confirmations ...

-73 kg: Varnicic Executes the Perfect Plan

The -73 kg category was the fastest to take shape, with the semi-final line-up revealed in decisive fashion. ...

-57 kg: Mongolia Celebrates as Mashbat Strikes World Cadet Gold

Firmly established at the top of the category, Jolina Reinhold (GER) opened her campaign in commanding ...

Kosei Inoue: From Tatami Legend to Guiding the Future of Judo

Few names resonate in the world of judo quite like Kosei Inoue. A world champion, Olympic champion and ...

The First Two Days: Nothing Beats Positive Judo

At the IJF Technical Meeting in December 2024, Head Referee Directors Florin Daniel Lascau and Armen ...

Diversity of Nations Shines After Two Days in Sofia

After two days of intense competition at the OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025, the medal ...

Day 3 Preview: Middleweights Take the Stage in Sofia

As the third day of competition dawns at the OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025, four new weight ...

-66 kg: Khamkhoev Captures World Gold

Chance sometimes works in mysterious ways. Looking at the line-up for the semi-finals, there was a clear ...

-52 kg: Shirakane Strikes Gold in Classic Japanese Style

She may not have been the tournament’s number one seed but all eyes were firmly on Madina Qurbonzoda ...

Peace, Friendship, Solidarity: Marius Vizer’s Message as Cadet Worlds Open in Sofia

The OTP Group World Cadet Championships Sofia 2025 were officially opened this afternoon at the Asics ...

-60 kg: Batyrgali’s Perfect Timing Secures Gold

Things initially went well for the top seed, Zeyd Alasgarov (AZE), who strung together a series of victories ...

-48 kg: Brazil on Top: Ribeiro Captures Gold for the Third Time

It was a difficult day for the seeded favourites, and the opening category of the competition was no ...

Uzbekistan on Fire: Three Titles on Day One of the 2025 Cadet World Championships

The opening day of the OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025 took off with a flying start. The lightest ...

Day Two Preview: Spotlight on Sofia!

After an intense opening day, the competition will resume in full force this Thursday, 27th August, at ...

-55 kg: Burkhonov Storms to -55kg World Title

The -55 kg category, like the three others contested on the first day, proved to be fiercely competitive. ...

-44 kg: Mishenkina Claims the World Title

Türkiye showcased strong potential in the -44 kg category with two competitors entered, both of whom ...

-50 kg: Sultanov, From Outsider to Champion

Algeria, and more broadly Africa, had placed high hopes in Ala Eddine Sahraoui (ALG), the number one ...

-40 kg: Boltaboeva Tops Yuksel in Thrilling Cadet World Final

Sema Nur Yuksel (TUR), the number one seed of the category, carried the weight of a prestigious but sometimes ...

The Future of World Judo Takes Shape in Sofia

The OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025 opened this Tuesday at the Asics Arena in Sofia, Bulgaria. ...

Julien Brulard, the ‘Judo Nomad,’ From Sofia to the Rest of the World

For the past four years, Julien Brulard has been living a life unlike any other in the world of judo. ...

Day One Preview: Lightweights Set to Open the 2025 OTP Group Cadet Worlds

The wait is over. On Wednesday 27th August, the OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025 officially begin ...

Rising Stars Ready to Shine: Sofia Hosts the OTP Group Cadet World Championships 2025

The stage is set in Sofia. For the next five days, the Bulgarian capital will be the beating heart of ...

The Gateway to the Elite Level

The OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 for individuals and mixed teams are about to begin ...

The IJF Mourns the Passing of Simeon Tsenev of Bulgaria

Today it is our sad duty to mark the passing of a man devoted to judo and sport. Former Bulgarian national ...

Judo In Schools Bulgaria

Complete Guide to #JudoWorlds2018

Part 1 of our Complete Guide to #JudoWorlds2018 covers Teams A-F and 270 judoka from 46 countries!