While Europe has already began on Wednesday 23rd April, this Friday it will be the turn of Africa in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Pan-America and Oceania Championships in Santiago, Chile.
The continental championships are a key moment in the calendar every season, highly prized by athletes from around the world. While they award valuable points for the World Ranking List, they also offer an opportunity for everyone to see where they stand on their continent. With the World Championships in Budapest in June approaching, this is no small feat. Having a continental medal on your list of achievements is something important.
If there's one place where the union of continents is particularly significant, it's Santiago, Chile, where the Pan-American and Oceanian continents compete in their events together. This co-operation dates back several years and in 2025 it's even greater.
Kate Corkery, OJU President, and Carlos Zegarra Pesser, PJC President, emphasised this during the official draw in the Chilean capital, "We are in sync with the international sporting schedule. The next Olympic Games will be held on the Pan-American continent with Los Angeles 2028, and the following Games will take place in Oceania, with Melbourne 2032. It is therefore important for us to work together to develop judo through our two organisations."
As the saying goes, "Unity is strength," and this will be the case for the next three days on all continents. Follow all the latest continental and world judo news at https://judotv.com/ and on the websites of the respective continental unions. Good luck to all participants!