Convinced that the values of judo could bring peace and harmony to our society, he travelled tirelessly to promote the moral code of judo and ensure that our values were an integral part of military training.
Known for his dynamism and involvement, he always had a big smile and a communicative good mood that allowed him to open the doors of military institutions all over the world.
In 2021, on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the IJF Military and Police Commission, Stefan Marginean declared, "Things go way beyond the cliché of a man or woman in uniform practising judo. The missions of the commission are much deeper and aim to align the needs of the field with Jigoro Kano's objective of creating the conditions for a more just society.
By including judo in the programme of the military forces, we do not only bring a technical dimension to the necessary training of the armed forces but also the philosophical baggage of our sport, its intrinsic values. Our society as a whole needs them."
A man committed to the cause of judo is leaving us. Thank you to Stefan Marginean for everything he has brought to the world of judo. The IJF and the entire judo community join with the family's grief and offer their most sincere condolences to his relatives and friends, who were particularly numerous.