With its long history, the event formerly known as the Kano Cup (first edition in 1978), has been one of the major grand slams on the calendar for many years and once again promises to be exciting over the weekend, filling the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium with a great atmosphere.
The official draw of the event took place today in the venue in the presence of, for the IJF, Mr Vlad Marinescu, Director General, Mr Obaid Al-Anzi, IJF Vice-President and JUA President, Mr Mohamed Meridja, Education and Coaching Director and Mr Armen Bagdasarov, Head Referee Director, and for the local organisers, Mr Shinichi Nakamura, AJJF President, Mr Haruki Uemura, President of the Kodokan Institute, and two special advisors to the AJJF, Mr Shinji Hosokawa and Kosei Inoue.
Mr Vlad Marinescu opened the official draw of the Tokyo Grand Slam 2024, "President Al-Anzi, President Nakamura, President Uemura, esteemed colleagues from the AJJF, Kodokan, JUA and IJF, dear judo family members, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to say some words before the start of the last event of a spectacular 2024 on behalf of our president, Mr Marius Vizer. Specifically, after such a long and interesting and difficult year, filled with emotions, passion and energy, a year that all the judo family could enjoy at home, we finally reached the last destination on the World Judo Tour, here in the home of judo, in Tokyo, Japan.
I'd like to thank of course Park24 Group, the main sponsor of this event, as well as the All Japan Judo Federation for their contribution and support, working together hand in hand with the IJF team to deliver a fantastic event before the end of the year. From all over the world the media are supporting this event and following it. We have registered more than 150 media representatives. Most importantly, I'd like to thank all the national federations and the judoka who have been practising to perform and create a spectacular show for the judo community. Congratulations for this spectacular year.
I am really looking forward to the successes of this event here this weekend and I am wishing all of you a great new year."
Mr Obaid Al-Anzi, IJF Vice-President and Judo Union of Asia President, said, "On behalf of the whole Judo Union of Asia family and all our national federations, it is a great honour for me to welcome you here in Japan for the Tokyo Grand Slam 2024. We always have great pleasure in returning to Japan where judo was born in 1882 under the leadership of Jigoro Kano Shihan. Today the values of judo shine throughout the world thanks to the work of the IJF President Mr Marius Vizer and his team and our continental unions and federations.
2024 has been a year full of emotions with the Paris 2024 Games, and this Tokyo Grand Slam will mark a perfect conclusion to the season as in a few weeks we will begin the year 2025 and our eyes will already be turned towards the future.
I want to thank all those who have been involved with the organisation of this major event in Tokyo. Thank you to the AJJF, the Kodokan, all the sponsors, media and judo enthusiasts. I wish all the participants good luck for this grand slam."
Mr Shinichi Nakamura, President of the All Japan Judo Federation, declared, "Dear President Vizer, IJF Executive Committee members, dear judo family, it is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Tokyo Grand Slam. The best judoka from around the world have gathered here in Japan. With the Paris Games now behind us, the journey to the LA Games has begun and we are ready for an exciting weekend of judo. I hope all the teams and judoka can show the results of their hard work and passion. I would like to sincerely thank President Vizer and the IJF for their ongoing support and partnership. I also want to thank all our sponsors and partners for their trust and valuable contributions. I hope your time in Japan will build lasting friendships and create wonderful memories. Thank you and I wish you all the best!"
For any top level judoka, winning a medal in Tokyo always has a special taste. There are 274 competitors from 44 countries, from the 5 continents, dreaming of performing over the next two days and hoping to conclude this season in style. Follow all the action at https://judotv.com
On each day, the preliminary rounds will begin at 10:30 local time and the final block will take place at 17:00.