Dear Judo Family,
As we reach the conclusion of 2025, we take a moment to appreciate the many remarkable and important chapters that shaped this season.
The World Judo Tour offered a vibrant array of moments: from electrifying grand prix and grand slams to the unforgettable World Championships and IJF Congress in Hungary – thanking you all once again for the trust shown to lead the Judo movement further. Each event brought its own spark, contributing to a year defined by energy, excellence and positive impacts on our sport. We are deeply thankful to all the new countries that proudly joined the World Judo Tour and are equally grateful to those who, year after year, organise world-class events and stand as pillars of our shared journey.
Throughout the year, we continued to advance our strategic objectives, bringing further innovation and development to our sport, while supporting our members through many global initiatives. Education, grassroots development, high performance, gender equality, inclusion, peace, and sustainability are just some of the areas where, with your support, we have made a meaningful impact.
Through these collective efforts, Judo continues to fulfil its mission: to be a force for good and an active contributor to a better society and peace across the globe.
The achievements of 2025 are our shared success, achieved through the tireless efforts of all who worked on and off the tatami. Therefore, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to all judoka, continental unions, member national federations, coaches, referees, officials, the IJF Executive Committee, honorary members, ambassadors, IJF staff, our official partners and sponsors, media and broadcasting partners, all stakeholder teams and, not least, our supporters and fans around the world, whose passion and encouragement give our sport its heartbeat.
Each of you has left a meaningful mark on this year’s journey and the progress we celebrate reflects your dedication, passion and inspiration.
As we look to 2026, our path is clear: we move forward together, united in purpose, guided by integrity and committed to elevating our sport and its values to even greater heights.
We look forward to returning to the Olympic capital for the newly introduced Lausanne Grand Slam, to sharing in the excitement surrounding the highly anticipated Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games and to be back in Baku once again for the World Judo Championships.
I wish you and your families a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with health, happiness, prosperity and peace.
Together, through Judo, we can build a better world.
Marius L. Vizer President International Judo Federation