Hosted at the Sport Resort Fiesch in Switzerland, the 2026 edition has brought together 500 cadet and junior athletes from 40 countries for several days of intensive training, learning and friendship. Every delegation includes both female and male athletes, underlining the camp's firm commitment to gender equality and equal opportunities.
Led by Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist and President of the Swiss Judo Federation Sergei Aschwanden, together with an outstanding international coaching team, the camp has become far more than a traditional training camp. It is an environment where young athletes experience the true spirit of judo while preparing for the challenges of elite competition. "This is not only about judo as a sport but about judo culture and everything it represents," explained Sergei Aschwanden.
The opening training session was conducted by Bruno Tsafack, setting a demanding yet inspiring tone for the days ahead. Throughout the week, participants benefit from the expertise of Olympic medallists, world champions and European champions, all sharing their experience with the next generation of international judoka.
Designed for high-performance athletes from the age of 14, the camp follows the philosophy of the renowned NATSU programme, combining technical development, intensive randori and competition preparation with an international atmosphere that encourages learning beyond national borders.
For many participants, however, the greatest lesson extends well beyond the tatami. Living, training and exchanging experiences with athletes from around the world helps build friendship, mutual respect and cultural understanding, values that lie at the heart of the Olympic Movement and of judo itself.
The continued success of the camp is made possible through the long-standing support of the International Judo Federation and Olympic Solidarity. Their commitment enables numerous national federations, including many with athletes targeting Dakar 2026, to take part in this exceptional experience. By investing in opportunities such as the IJF Youth Camp, the IJF continues to ensure that talented young judoka, regardless of their background, can access world-class preparation while embracing the educational values that make judo unique.
As the countdown to Dakar continues, the IJF Youth Camp once again demonstrates that preparing for the Youth Olympic Games is about much more than winning medals. It is about developing better athletes, better ambassadors for judo and, above all, better young people.
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More about the Sergei Judo Camp - CLICK HERE
Images © Julien Christe