After six months and a half on board the International Space Station, we are happy to welcome back on earth European Space Agency Astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, who safely landed in Kazakhstan this afternoon.

Thomas is a black belt judoka that we have been following throughout his preparation and mission. We wish him to enjoy his return, his family and friends, and we will keep you posted with information about Thomas in the upcoming months. In space, Thomas was accompanied by Judoroo Junior, the mascot of the Judo Educational Journey through Australia and he brought in space his black belt.

We thank the European Space Agency for all the efforts delivered during those long months of preparation and mission.

Message delivered by Thomas Pesquet on the occasion of the Paris Grand Slam last February: https://youtu.be/nq0sFPEku24


See also
Zagreb GP 2026
Zagreb Grand Prix Preview

12. Nov. 2026 / There are just hours to go before the draw for the ...

Inclusion
Judo for All in Zambia: I Can Do That Too!

11. Nov. 2026 / At Shalom School in Lusaka, the young judoka know how ...

News
IJF, ICSD and DIJF Sign Landmark Agreement to Develop Deaf Judo Worldwide

10. Nov. 2026 / In Budapest, Hungary, the International Judo Federation ...

News
New Home for Judo

09. Nov. 2026 / The International Judo Federation (IJF) has unveiled ...

Refereeing
Győr Brings Referees and Coaches Together to Talk Judo

07. Nov. 2026 / When does a standing exchange become ne-waza? What ...

World Judo Day 2026
World Judo Day Brings Police Judoka Together in Santo Domingo

06. Nov. 2026 / Seventeen nations, a shared tatami and an occasion ...

News
Pakistan Launches Nationwide Search for Judo’s Next Generation

06. Nov. 2026 / For young judoka across Pakistan, a new opportunity ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Turikumwe: Twenty Years for a Dream

04. Nov. 2026 / In the early 2000s, I began travelling regularly to ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Brazil and Lithuania Strike Gold on Day 3 in Dakar

03. Nov. 2026 / The final day of judo at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Dakar 2026, One Team, One Goal

03. Nov. 2026 / Behind every contest at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Clarisse Agbegnenou: The Strength to Win, the Freedom to Be Human

03. Nov. 2026 / The question came from a young Senegalese athlete; ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Three New Champions and a Presidential Visit Light Up Dakar

02. Nov. 2026 / Three new Youth Olympic champions were crowned on the ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Dakar 2026: Three More Champions, Another Day to Remember!

02. Nov. 2026 / Three more champions have emerged from an exciting ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...