Present at the Reims IJF Kata World Series 2025 in France, Mr Rougé provides an update on current projects. "Our goal is to globalise the organisation of kata competitions. In addition to the annual world championships, we hope that each continent will be able to host at least one international competition. Here in Reims, this is the second edition of the Kata World Series, after the one in Leuven, Belgium. This serves as a model for us. We have new possibilities being studied now in Canada, Hong Kong and Spain.
We are working on a new scouting system at the cadet level, which will rely on remote (video) events as well as in-person events, starting in 2026.
These new events, especially for the juniors and seniors, will allow us to establish a ranking list that will determine the seeded athletes at the world championships and provide us with an annual ranking of competitors.
Kata is important for the development of all judoka. Invented and codified by the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano Shihan, they are an integral part of our sport's education system. Kata allows us to harmonise the physical and intellectual parts of judoka.
We are also working on coloured belts so that we can offer a programme from a very young age. For example, starting with the yellow belt, an introduction to kata can be offered, and starting with the green belt, it will be possible to learn the basics of nage-no-kata.
Finally, we are also working with the IJF Academy for the overall development of both competition and the training system. The coming years will see significant developments for the benefit of all practitioners."
The Reims IJF Kata World Series 2025 will be a good test to analyse all future developments. You can follow the competition live HERE.