Now Kofler is back in the saddle for the North-West tour,m and after just two weeks he has already covered 1,600 km, reaching the Polish–Lithuanian border and delivering training sessions in Prague, Dresden and Berlin.
From Project 1000 to a Continental Challenge
Kofler is no stranger to big missions. In 2017, he launched Project 1000, a promise to deliver 1,000 judo training sessions in 1,000 different clubs. The numbers already speak for themselves: 1,322 sessions in 652 clubs, across 16 countries, involving over 23,000 judoka. In 2025, this vision evolved into ‘Judo and Peace in Motion,’ a 13,000 km cycling tour across 30 European countries, linked by judo events and underpinned by the values of respect, friendship and peace.
The South-East Tour: a Foundation of Connection
The first leg of the adventure took Kofler through Slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. Over 40 days, he cycled 4,400 km and climbed nearly 35,000 metres, stopping at clubs along the way to deliver sessions and foster intercultural dialogue. “Judo has always been more than just a sport. It is a way of life, a school of respect and peace. On this tour, I want to show that these values can travel far beyond the tatami,” explained Kofler.
The North-West Tour: 1,600 km and Counting
The second leg has now begun. With Prague, Dresden and Berlin already ticked off the list, the next destinations are Kaunas, Helsinki, Fredrikstad (Norway) and Hamburg. From there, the route continues to Echt (Netherlands), Brussels, Differdange (Luxembourg), Paris, Heining-lès-Bouzonville, St Gallen (Switzerland), Ruggell (Liechtenstein), and finally Bregenz (Austria).
A Pedalling Ambassador of Judo Values
At a time when Europe faces environmental and social challenges, Kofler’s journey stands out as a message of resilience and unity. Travelling by bike makes the project sustainable while the dojo visits turn it into an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue. For the Austrian, it is about much more than covering kilometres, “Anyone can get on a bike and ride but combining it with judo clubs and young people gives it meaning. Every stop is about meeting, sharing and showing that peace is possible.”
The Road Ahead
Whether climbing mountain passes or coaching children on the mat, Franz Kofler continues to embody judo’s values of perseverance and respect. Each kilometre takes him closer, not only to Bregenz but also to his wider goal: to prove that peace, like judo, is built step by step or in this case, pedal by pedal.