We were looking for a really authoritative opinion, the voice of an expert, a real one; someone with scientific knowledge and, if possible, with sports experience. The good thing about judo is that there are people for everything, with professions and studies of all kinds. This time we find the perfect candidate in Paula Pareto.
Paula Pareto

The Argentinian is the current Olympic champion in the -48kg category and that seems like satisfactory sports knowledge. As for the scientific side, she is a doctor. Pareto works in a hospital and combines her work with the passion of her life, judo.

So, with the return of the World Judo Tour we wanted to know if we are doing things well.

"Zero risk does not exist," Pareto explains. “It is the first thing you learn in medicine. To avoid contagions, measures must be taken and I am in favour of strict ones. It is always better to go too far than to fall short."

The International Judo Federation has established a demanding protocol to protect the health of everyone: athletes, staff and guests.

Paula Pareto and Distria Krasniqi

"I can´t complain," Pareto says. “We all wanted to return to competition and sanitary measures are the toll we have to pay. It seems to me that things are going well and we all respect the conditions imposed because it is what meets the needs of the situation. I say it as a doctor, not as a judoka.”

While the subject is open we can take the opportunity to ask the sports professional too, “It was very nice to see my colleagues again, especially those who had been sick. This is a very hard sport and we are living the toughest period of time; it has a great cost. For this reason, competing is our reward and, in the end, the security protocol is indispensable because it allows us to do our work."

Pareto won the silver medal at this grand slam. In the final she was defeated by Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi. “I leave with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Nobody likes to lose, but then again, it was about picking up the pace. If I had to summarise, I would say mission accomplished."

A mission accomplished twice! The sports view meets expectations, with excellent contests. When it comes to security measures, the doctor has given us a good grade too.

See also
Veterans Paris 2025
A New Era for Veterans at the World Judo Championships

04. Nov. 2025 / The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the Paris ...

Veterans Paris 2025
A Roaring Success in Paris

04. Nov. 2025 / A year has passed since Paris dazzled the world during ...

Veterans Paris 2025
A Thrilling Start for the Veterans in Paris

03. Nov. 2025 / The opening day of the Paris World Judo Championships ...

Veterans Paris 2025
At the Heart of a Veteran Judo Revolution

03. Nov. 2025 / Jean-Luc Bartoli is the man behind the rise of veteran ...

Gender Equality
Women Leading the Way in Coaching

03. Nov. 2025 / Sometimes a single image speaks louder than a thousand ...

IBSA Judo
IBSA Judo Returns to Astana

03. Nov. 2025 / The IBSA judo movement has been growing fast in recent ...

Veterans Paris 2025
In Paris, Spirit Shines

03. Nov. 2025 / At 8:30 this morning, the first “Hajime!” echoed ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Happy One Year to Go to Dakar 2026!

31. Oct. 2025 / A major milestone on the road to the Youth Olympic ...

WJD 2025 PEACE
The World Judo Family Unites for Peace on World Judo Day

31. Oct. 2025 / A few days ago, the global judo community came together ...

WJD 2025 PEACE
WJD 2025: Azerbaijan Celebrates the Spirit of Judo

31. Oct. 2025 / Among the many nations that celebrated World Judo Day ...

News
A Packed 2026 Season Ahead for World Judo

30. Oct. 2025 / The international judo calendar for 2026 promises to ...

Deaflympics
Judo Will Shine at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics

29. Oct. 2025 / The Tokyo Deaflympics are fast approaching and will ...

World Judo Day
WJD 2025 - IJF President's Message

27. Oct. 2025 / IJF President's message on the occasion of the World ...

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 ...