The opening ceremony began with a demonstration of nage-no-kata performed by Neli and Paolo Starčević, members of Judo Club Rijeka. Both national champions in the kata discipline, they have recently undergone advanced training at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan. Their coaches are Sandra Uršičić and Dr Slaviša Bradić.
After the kata performance, Dr Sanda Corak took the stage and declared, "Good afternoon everybody. Dear athletes, coaches, sport officials, on behalf of the Croatian Judo Federation it is my great pleasure to wish you a warm welcome to the 11th edition of the IJF Zagreb Grand Prix 2024.
After the Olympic Games, we are entering a new Olympic cycle and we are very proud that 40 national teams from 4 continents and with 320 competitors decided to come to Zagreb and compete in this grand prix. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us. I would like to thank our sponsors, our donors, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the city of Zagreb and all the volunteers who helped in the preparation of this grand prix. I hope you will be satisfied and I wish you a pleasant stay in Zagreb and of course best of luck on the tatami."
Luka Korleat then said, "Dear representatives of the IJF and of the Croatian Judo Federation and from the Minsitry, dear spectators and last but not least dear judoka, it is my great pleasure to address you on behalf of the city and of the mayor. We are happy to be a cohost in this sports hall, Arena Zagreb, which is the largest, most beautiful and prestigious sports hall in Croatia.
Sport is very important to me. I've always practised various kinds of sports but I think that judo stands above all other sports. There is a certain relationship between judo lives. If you are disciplined enough, if you are rigorous to yourself and if you learn how to use the power of your contestant, then you are making certain progress and I think that we can learn from judo, from judo techniques, from judo philosophy, how to have better lives.
The City of Zagreb has been supporting this event for many years and we are going to support this grand prix more and more because we think this prestigious event brings a lot to the city of Zagreb, to its image and its appearance on the world map. Thank you all for that. I wish you the best of luck."
Josip Pavic said, "Dear judoka, dear President Corak, dear Deputy Mayor, dear Vlad Marinescu, dear friends, Mr Vizer, Mr Toth, it is truly an honour to speak in the name of the government of Croatia. It is an honour because it is the 11th grand prix here. In a special way, we are very proud that this is happening after Barbara took the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. We are here to start a new Olympic cycle until LA28. This is also important for all the athletes who are going to be here. This a truly a wonderful start to the journey.
Welcome to Zagreb, welcome to Croatia. The judo federation will always have a partner in the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. Enjoy it here and have a fruitful event."
To conclude, Mr Vlad Marinescu said, "Dear Mr Deputy Mayor, dear Mr State Secretary, dear Madam President, dear judo family, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great privilege for the International Judo Federation to continue the World Judo Tour in the beautiful city of Zagreb, in Croatia. We are now celebrating a great moment following the Paris Olympic Games and I would like to take this moment to congratulate Barbara Matic on the historic success of a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. This is the hard work that Sanda Corak with the judo federation, the government of Croatia and all the team put together. This success can inspire the next generation, the youth, to take up the sport of judo. On behalf of our President, Mr Marius Vizer, and the judo community, we would like to wish the best of luck to all the judoka and all the fans for a great show. Thank you to the city of Zagreb for hosting the World Judo Tour. Thank you to the government, to the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, to the media and all the fans around the world watching on JudoTV."
Before the start of the final block both the Croatian anthem, performed acapella by the Anina Glazbaona group, and the IJF anthem were played.