After the 84 countries were introduced, Mr Galymzhan Koishybayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, declared, "Dear participants and guests of this international judo tournament, the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2024, I am pleased to welcome you to the capital of Kazakhstan.
Judo is rightfully considered one of the most popular and spectacular forms of martial art. This sport is developing broadly across the country. Specialised academies, sports clubs and centres are clear evidence of it. Today more than 150,000 people practise judo in Kazakhstan.
We express special gratitude to the International Judo Federation for its trust in Kazakhstan to hold this ranking tournament for the Paris Olympic Games. This will give a boost to the sport and take it to a new level of development in the country.
The event brought together more than 450 of the best judoka from 84 countries around the world, who will compete for ranking points for the Paris Olympics. This demonstrates the popularity and high level worldwide. We look to further develop our fruitful collaboration for the promotion of judo on a larger scale. Today there are 76 days until the start of the main event, the Olympic Games in Paris. May every participant demonstrate their talent, discipline and resilience on the tatami. I am confident that we will witness the best and most beautiful throws."
Mr Vlad Marinescu, IJF Director General, then took the floor, "Your Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister, it is a great honour for the judo family to be in the beautiful city of Astana, in the country of Kazakhstan. Thank you for having the judo family here. Judo is a sport of education, it has values and principles, and we are here on the way to the Paris Olympic Games.
I want to say that judo has the power to unite people and following the different catastrophes that have happened within the environment in Kazakhstan, this event brings light for the support of all judo people, for the Kazakh people, for a full recovery.
Minister of Sports, Mr Yermek Marzhikpayev, thank you for supporting the sport. We wish you good luck in your activities. Sport is the most important education of the youth.
President of judo, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, it is a pleasure to work with you, thank you for all the hard work. You give your energy, your passion, your motivation to have this fantastic grand slam here in the beautiful city of Astana. I want to thank you on behalf of our president, Mr Marius Vizer, and the entire executive board of the IJF, all the spectators who enjoy judo here in Astana, and all the spectators who are at home. Good luck to the athletes. Thank you very much."
It was then the turn of Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, the president of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, to give his welcome speech, "Distinguished guests, thank you for coming here. For us it's a big pleasure to have you here for the second time in Astana and to show our hospitality to all the judoka from around the world. I think that this strong competition will help us to improve the level of judo not only in the country but everywhere in the world. Thank you."
The Kazakh and IJF anthems were then played before a cultural performance on the stage.