Hosted in Peru, the programme could hardly have found a more symbolic home. Under the leadership of María Martínez, President of the Peruvian Judo Federation, women's leadership has become a living reality, recognised well beyond the country's borders. "For us, it is a great honour that the International Judo Federation has chosen Peru again to host one of its major development programmes," said Martínez. "This project is especially exciting because it is about leadership and empowering women. We already have many strong women within our federation: athletes, coaches, officials and administrators who want to grow. Sakura Judo is here to help them go even further."
For three days, women from across the Peruvian judo community came together to exchange experiences, strengthen their confidence and develop the skills that will allow them to become tomorrow's leaders and role models. It is precisely this commitment that convinced the IJF to bring the inaugural Sakura Judo programme to Peru.
For Carlos Zegarra, President of the Panamerican Judo Confederation, this recognition reflects years of work, "I would like to thank the International Judo Federation for its support and for believing in Peru. This confidence was not built through politics but through the example set by the Peruvian Judo Federation and the way women are already leading our sport nationally. This programme is about empowering women to embrace leadership, develop their abilities and become the very best version of themselves."
He believes the participants now carry an important responsibility. "We have athletes, referees, coaches, administrators and sports managers. They will become ambassadors for future generations. Leadership should never be given simply because someone is a woman. Opportunities should be earned through professionalism, education and competence. Sakura Judo helps create exactly those opportunities." Zegarra also underlined the exceptional quality of the programme's educators, describing Gabriella Müller, Larisa Kiss, Loredana Lascau and Daniela Krukower as inspiring leaders whose international experience makes Sakura Judo a unique learning opportunity.
Perhaps María Martínez delivered the seminar's most personal message, speaking openly about the doubts that often accompany leadership. "There was a sentence that stayed with me: sometimes you have only five seconds to decide whether to accept a challenge. I know that feeling very well. My first instinct is always to say, 'Let's do it!' Only afterwards do the doubts arrive. Will I be capable? How will we achieve it? But I have always felt responsible for the people who trust me. Every challenge we accept allows all of us to grow."
Her words carry particular meaning in a society where women are still asked asked to justify their legitimacy too often. "In Peru, women's leadership is sometimes questioned simply because they are women. People wonder whether you really have the ability, or whether you obtained your position only because you are female. That frustrates me enormously. I am very competitive. I have always wanted every position I earn to be because I am the best-qualified person for the job, regardless of whether I am competing against a man or a woman. That is the same standard I expect throughout my team."
Yet, beyond determination, she believes the greatest strength women possess is their ability to lift one another. "When one woman moves forward, others gain confidence to move forward as well. That is how change happens." It is this network of mutual support that Sakura Judo seeks to build, ensuring that the programme continues long after the closing session. "I hope these three days are not the end of a programme," Martínez concluded. "I hope they become the beginning of a new way of thinking, where women see more opportunities, dare to face their fears and pursue the dreams they deserve."
Sakura Judo is built on a simple conviction: every woman already has the potential to lead. Sometimes, all it takes is the confidence to take the first step and when one woman does, she opens the way for many others to follow.
