For judoka across the globe, the countdown has truly begun. One hundred days remain to prepare, to refine every detail and to take one final step towards the biggest competition of their young careers. Across every continent, training sessions are becoming more intense, ambitions stronger and dreams ever closer. Behind every athlete lies a story of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance, all leading towards one destination: Dakar.
Preparation is already well underway. Just a few days ago, more than 500 young judoka from 40 countries gathered in Switzerland for the International Judo Federation Youth Camp, supported by the IJF and Olympic Solidarity. For many of them, Fiesch represented the final opportunity to learn from Olympic champions, world medallists and some of the sport's finest coaches before stepping onto the Olympic stage. Several of those athletes will reunite in Dakar, this time wearing their national colours and competing for Youth Olympic glory.
The countdown is on! Less than 100 days to go until the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games! 🤩#Dakar2026 #Judo pic.twitter.com/IA6uIgNknR
— Judo (@Judo) July 27, 2026
Yet the Youth Olympic Games have always represented something far greater than medals. repeatedly, history has shown that the YOG are a launchpad for the champions of tomorrow. Many of today's leading figures on the World Judo Tour experienced the Olympic environment as teenagers at the Youth Olympic Games first. They arrived as promising young athletes and left with new confidence, greater ambition and invaluable international experience that helped shape their future careers.
But perhaps the greatest legacy of the Youth Olympic Games cannot be measured on a podium.
Dakar 2026 will gather young people from every corner of the world, united by the same passion despite their different languages, cultures and backgrounds. On the tatami, they will compete fiercely. Beyond it, they will exchange ideas, discover new cultures and build friendships that can last a lifetime. These connections, forged through mutual respect and shared experiences, embody the very essence of judo and the Olympic values.
As the first Olympic event ever to be hosted in Africa, Dakar 2026 also carries a powerful message of inclusion, opportunity and hope. It is a celebration of youth, diversity and the belief that sport has the power to inspire positive change across communities and generations.
The countdown has entered its final phase. In 100 days, dreams will become reality. New champions will emerge. New stories will be written and another generation of young judoka will begin a journey that could define the rest of their lives. Dakar is waiting.