For these young judoka, this is more than just a tournament. It is the culmination of months, and for many, years of hard work, sacrifice and ambition. Every ippon scored here carries weight: a medal today can mark the beginning of a career that could one day lead to senior world titles and even Olympic glory. But for now, it is about seizing the moment, making their names known and proving that they belong among the sport’s brightest talents.
The official draw, held earlier today in the heart of Sofia, marked the formal beginning of the championship. The International Judo Federation delegation included Dr Lisa Allan, Secretary General, Mr Kosei Inoue, Sport Director, and Mr Armen Bagdasarov, Head Referee Director. They were welcomed by the Bulgarian Judo Federation, led by President Prof. Roumen Stoilov, Executive Committee member Mr Georgi Georgiev and International Relations Director Ms Diana Maximova.
In her opening speech, Dr Allan reflected on the significance of the event, highlighting not only the competition itself but also the values it represents, “This prestigious event unites the global judo family, bringing together athletes, coaches, officials and supporters in the true spirit of our sport. Over the next five days, here in the Sofia Asics Arena, we will witness the determination, passion and skill of the world’s finest cadets. Whether you are here in the arena or watching online, these championships promise to inspire. They will ignite the dreams of future champions and remind us of the timeless values that guide our sport: respect, excellence and friendship.”
For host nation Bulgaria, this is a proud moment. President Stoilov extended a warm welcome to the international community, expressing his confidence in Sofia to set a high standard for future editions of the event.
For the cadets, aged 14 to 17, this week is not only about climbing the podium. It is about testing themselves against the world’s best in their age group, gaining experience on the tatami and proving that they can handle the pressure at that level. Many of today’s senior stars first announced themselves at cadet level and history suggests that several names from Sofia will soon become familiar to judo fans around the globe.
The mix of individual contests and the final day’s mixed team event promises to deliver both personal triumphs and collective drama. Every throw, hold-down and victory celebration will tell its own story.
Competition Schedule
- Day 1 (27th August): 11:00
- Day 2 (28th August): 08:30 – opening ceremony at 16:00
- Day 3 (29th August): 09:30
- Days 4 & 5 (30th - 31st August): 10:30
Every day the final block (medal contests only) will begin at 16:30.
Fans worldwide can follow every contest live on JudoTV and also on the IJF’s official website www.ijf.org and across all IJF social media platforms.
As the first competitors prepare to step onto the tatami, anticipation is at its peak. Over the next five days, Sofia will not just crown new world champions, it will reveal the future of judo.