"Since my last update in Czechia, life has been extremely busy as I worked to reorganise the project so that it could continue until the end of the year. After my stay in Mongolia, I was forced to pause due to a lack of funding, so the project is now running at half-capacity until the end of 2025, to avoid any further interruptions. After the competition in Prague, a coach kindly drove me to Austria, where several friends were waiting. Generously, the Austrian Judo Federation supported me by providing accommodation, which made the entire visit possible.
My first stop was Wels, where I met Sabrina Filzmoser, whom I had previously encountered in Nepal. She invited me to her dojo, one of the most beautiful in the country, built in a traditional Japanese architectural style. I taught both adults and children there and it was a joy to spend time with Sabrina again. We share a very similar outlook on life and the work she has done to develop judo in Nepal, Pakistan and other regions of the world is genuinely inspiring. She remains a role model for me and for many others.
From there, I travelled to Linz to visit the national team. Only the women’s team was present at that moment, as the men were away at a camp in the Caucasus region. I spent a few days observing life inside the national training centre.
I then moved to the Vienna region, which kindly covered my accommodation too. I visited several dojos with the help of June, a long-time follower of the project who organised much of my schedule and translated for me, thanks to his fluent French. His support throughout this part of the journey was essential. My first visit in the capital was to Samurai Judo Club, one of the largest clubs in the city, where I taught a short session for children. Then I travelled to the historic town of Mödling for a larger seminar aimed at recreational judoka and veterans, a relaxed and very enjoyable session filled with good energy.
My final stop in Vienna was WAT Stadlau, a strong team competing in the country’s well-known league system, similar to Germany’s Bundesliga. We had a lively training session with several international athletes, including Japanese, French and others, followed by a friendly dinner and great conversations.
Before leaving Austria, I also visited the town of Krems, where the local club organised a small tour to introduce me to the vineyards and regional specialities. I used the opportunity to film a new YouTube video. Training there brought together a wide mix of participants: beginners, a group of girls trying judo for the first time, a veteran world medallist and a cadet world medallist. It was a dynamic and enriching session for everyone.
A Long-Awaited Stage of the Project
After Austria, I prepared for one of the most anticipated stages of the entire project. For years, I had dreamed of visiting the world’s largest country but circumstances had forced me to postpone this trip several times. Earlier this year, however, the Mongolian team invited me to join them at an international tournament held in Barnaul, a major city in the Siberian region and I finally decided it was time to go.
At first, I was worried about how the trip might be perceived but I reminded myself that the essence of this project is to travel everywhere possible, provided my safety is not at risk. The purpose is to connect people through judo.
Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by children and local residents wearing traditional clothing, which immediately set me at ease. Despite landing at 3 a.m., I had to be ready early the next morning to visit my first club, Triumf Judo. Each day consisted of two training sessions with different groups. I was assisted throughout by two translators who spoke excellent French and English. Although French was an option, I chose to teach in English so some of the children could practise.
As the week went on, participants from various regions and neighbouring countries arrived for the tournament. Although I was travelling in association with the Mongolian delegation, they had sent me ahead so I could visit several clubs beforehand.
Attendance grew every day. At Sparta Barnaul, a dojo in the suburbs, the mats were completely full, with people sitting around the edges just to watch. After each session, I stayed for a long time to take photos and sign autographs. Many children told me they had never met anyone from Europe before, which made the experience especially meaningful.
Soon, the Mongolian team arrived, including my friend Erdene Baatar and two of his top athletes, Yondonperenlei, double world bronze medallist, and Batkhuyag, a recent grand slam winner. Together, we visited the regional school of a local judo hero. The atmosphere was electric and watching the Mongolian team train was inspiring.
Then came the tournament and the training camp, probably the largest I have ever attended, with hundreds of judoka training across six mats. It was so crowded that we split the group in two: three mats for the Mongolian team and three for me. The competition felt like a world-level event, complete with a beautiful opening ceremony featuring local dances and singers. The level was high, with young athletes from Mongolia, Central Asia and other regions.
Across the Altai Region
My final days were spent in the Gorno-Altaysk area, a rural and culturally diverse region. The country contains a striking number of ethnicities and it was fascinating to meet different communities. We visited local landmarks, experienced the traditional banya and shared wonderful moments with local judoka. In just over a week, I formed friendships that I know will last for years.
Leaving was emotional. This project has given me countless powerful memories but this part of the journey was particularly special. Everything went perfectly and I received many messages of support afterwards. Judo alone was the purpose of this trip.
Looking Ahead
Earlier this year, financial difficulties required me to restructure the project. To prevent this from happening again I launched a campaign for Season 5. If you enjoy this journey and would like to help me complete the European leg and reach the American continent next year, any contribution helps immensely. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the Judo Nomad adventure so far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."