Held in the presence of Carlos Zegarra, President of the Panamerican Judo Confederation, Maria Martinez, President of the Peruvian Judo Federation, and representatives from across the Peruvian judo community, the programme brought together athletes, coaches, referees, administrators and emerging leaders for three days dedicated to personal growth, leadership and mutual support.
Opening the event, Larisa Kiss, IJF Director for Olympic Games and Olympic Movement for Judo and recently appointed IJF Delegate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, shared a deeply personal journey that reflected the spirit of the programme perfectly.
Having served the IJF for almost twenty years, progressing from secretary to one of the organisation’s senior executives to becoming the first woman in judo history to hold the role of Olympic Games Delegate, Larisa Kiss reminded participants that success is rarely a straight line.
"Growth begins when we step outside our comfort zones," she explained. "That is where we learn, where we discover what we are capable of and where we begin to shine."
That message became the guiding thread of Sakura Judo. Throughout the programme, participants were encouraged to strengthen not only their technical knowledge but also their confidence, communication skills and leadership abilities, while building connections that will continue long after the seminar has ended.
She also reflected on her own professional journey in what was, for many years, a predominantly male environment, "When I began my career, gender equality was a very different conversation," she said. "Slowly, I learned to build my place, to speak up, to prove myself, to set boundaries and, occasionally, to be the only woman in the room, without allowing that to make me feel smaller."
She made a point of recognising those who helped make that journey possible. "Throughout this journey, I have had the enormous honour of working closely with our President, Mr Marius Vizer, a great leader who believes in women and in our capacity to lead. He entrusted me with real opportunities and real responsibilities and I remain deeply grateful for his confidence and support. This programme would not exist without him." Highlighting another source of inspiration., she added, "I have also met extraordinary women throughout the judo world: athletes, coaches, referees, administrators and colleagues. One of them is our IJF Secretary General, Dr Lisa Allan, whose leadership, courage and commitment have inspired me greatly."
Those words underline one of Sakura Judo's most important ambitions: creating a network of women who support one another, share their experience and help the next generation find its own path. Rather than promoting a single model of leadership, Sakura Judo encourages every participant to discover and develop her own strengths. As Kiss reminded the audience, strong leadership comes in many forms. It can be visible on the tatami or quietly effective behind the scenes. It can be firm or compassionate. What matters is authenticity and the confidence to lead in one's own way.
The programme also recognises that strong organisations are built through diversity. Women and men do not compete for leadership; they complement one another. Different experiences create different perspectives, leading to more balanced decisions, greater innovation and stronger institutions. These principles have long been embedded within the International Judo Federation's vision. Through initiatives such as Sakura Judo, the IJF continues to transform its commitment to equality into practical action, investing in education, mentoring and opportunities that allow women to flourish at every level of the sport.
As participants embark on this new journey, Sakura Judo is already proving to be much more than a three-day educational programme. It is the beginning of a growing international community of mentors, educators and role models committed to strengthening judo through inclusion, co-operation and shared leadership. In Peru, where respect for tradition meets an ambitious vision for the future, the first Sakura Judo programme has planted the seeds of something far greater. Like the cherry blossom from which it takes its name, its true beauty will not be measured by this first bloom but by the generations of women it will inspire to step forward with confidence, supporting one another and helping shape the future of judo worldwide.