After six months and a half on board the International Space Station, we are happy to welcome back on earth European Space Agency Astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, who safely landed in Kazakhstan this afternoon.

Thomas is a black belt judoka that we have been following throughout his preparation and mission. We wish him to enjoy his return, his family and friends, and we will keep you posted with information about Thomas in the upcoming months. In space, Thomas was accompanied by Judoroo Junior, the mascot of the Judo Educational Journey through Australia and he brought in space his black belt.

We thank the European Space Agency for all the efforts delivered during those long months of preparation and mission.

Message delivered by Thomas Pesquet on the occasion of the Paris Grand Slam last February: https://youtu.be/nq0sFPEku24


See also
YOG Dakar 2026
Clarisse Agbégnénou Inspires a New Generation Ahead of Dakar 2026 YOG

23. Apr. 2026 / As anticipation builds for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic ...

JudoPod
From Fighter to Leader, Hedvig Karakas’ Life Beyond the Tatami

23. Apr. 2026 / What happens when the ‘killer instinct’ that defines ...

IJF Calendar
Tashkent to Host 2026 Junior Worlds as Amman Edition Is Postponed

22. Apr. 2026 / The International Judo Federation (IJF) has confirmed ...

Continental championships
European Championships - Day Three

19. Apr. 2026 / The host nation was expecting an all-Georgian final ...

Continental Championships
Oceania Rising: A New Generation Steps Forward in Melbourne

19. Apr. 2026 / The Oceania Senior Championships 2026 have delivered ...

Continental Championships
Day 1 - Panamerican Championships Panama 2026

19. Apr. 2026 / The Panamerican Championships 2026 began with high ...

YOG Dakar 2026
Clarisse Agbegnenou to Guide Youth in Dakar

18. Apr. 2026 / On 16th April, the International Olympic Committee ...

Continental Championships
Asia’s Finest Shine in Ordos Finale

18. Apr. 2026 / The final day of the Asian Championships in Ordos delivered ...

Continental Championships
Day Two is Georgia's Day in Tbilisi

18. Apr. 2026 / The second day of the European Championships Tbilisi ...

Continental Championships
Rising Stars and Tight Battles Define Day 2 in Ordos

17. Apr. 2026 / The Asian Championships in Ordos continued to deliver ...

Special Olympics
Sarajevo 2026: A Landmark Step for Inclusion in Judo

17. Apr. 2026 / In May 2025, the International Judo Federation and ...

Forever Everest
Inspiring the Next Generation on the Roof of the World

17. Apr. 2026 / At 5,364 metres above sea level, Everest Base Camp ...

Continental Championships
The Europeans are Underway and France Leads the Charge

16. Apr. 2026 / In Tbilisi, the city is awash with judo fans, mostly ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...