On the occasion of the World Judo Masters 2023, being staged at the Papp Laszlo Arena in Budapest, a gala dinner was organised to offer applause to members of the judo family.
President of the International Judo Federation, Mr Marius Vizer spoke to welcome the assembled guests, “Hungary is now the house of judo and having moved from Switzerland to Hungary, to this wonderful free country, a place with freedom of expression, freedom of everything!"
"I’m happy to introduce Mr Otabek, our special guest, Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia, we are very happy to enjoy his company this evening. We are also proud to have our IJF Ambassadors with us, including Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa. All our judo family is together in this beautiful place. Welcome everyone, our executive committee, our sponsors and all our friends."
Dr Laszlo Toth, IJF Vice-President and President of the EJU and the Hungarian Judo Association then made his welcome, “Dear judo family, we are proud that the world judo family has come back home, with the registered headquarters of international judo right here. I am happy to have the best of all judo events here in Hungary. It was a great day to have a home athlete in the final block of the hardest tournament in the world. I must underline our welcome to you, to the capital city with 14 Olympic champions and 33 world champions participating in such a strong event.”
With dinner served and friends reunited there were then moments for entertainment. Singer and pianist from Hungary, Mr Karoly Nyari gave a rousing performance, followed by Gigi Radics and after the awards IJF Ambassador Al Bano closed the evening with his much-loved songs.
The main awards of the evening took centre stage, the first of which was part goodbye, part congratulations but mostly just recognition for a job so very well done.
Dr Vladimir Heinz, an orthopaedic surgeon, first worked as a doctor with a judo club in Opava, Czechia, in 1976, moving to help the IJF Head Sport Director Vladimir Barta with the Czech junior team. He became Chairman of the Czech judo Medical Commission and later the Czech Olympic Medical Commission, attending every Olympic Games and world judo championships with the team, since 1990. For the last 33 years he has been a much respected member of the IJF judo family, joining the IJF medical commission, also in 1990. Vladimir is a gentleman, a man whose experience and professionalism has added great value to our sport. To honour his lifetime of service Mr Vizer presented Dr Vladimir Heinz with the IJF recognition diploma.
The second presentation was to officially induct Dr Andor Paposi-Jobb into the IJF Hall of Fame. Dr Paposi-Jobb, a young black belt and national medallist in his beloved Hungary in the 1950’s, built a new life in the USA, emigrating away from political unrest. Settling in Ohio he continued both his academic and judo education, establishing several new dojos, coaching, competing and studying. Dr Paposi-Jobb was instrumental in the veterans’ movement and even continues to compete, now in his 80s. Alongside his judo career, Dr Paposi-Jobb established himself as a well-respected artist, linking his two passions and bringing them together in the project ‘The Judo Greats,’ a series of portraits of judoka, including one of Jigoro Kano Shihan. His is a true life lived with judo at its heart. President Vizer presented Dr Paposi-Jobb with the IJF Hall of Fame certificate.
The event MC closed the occasion by saying, “Thank you to all our distinguished guests who have made exceptional contributions to the world of judo. As our enchanting evening comes to an end, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your presence and participation in this prestigious event. We hope you have enjoyed the evening and we look forward to seeing you at the World Judo Masters in Budapest.
Thank you all for joining us and goodnight.”