We have had the opportunity to report on his journey already. Since 2017, Kofler has been driving change through Project 1000, a bold undertaking to visit 1,000 judo clubs and lead at least 1,000 training sessions worldwide, promoting values of peace and sustainability. To date, he has delivered over 1,300 sessions across 16 countries, connecting with more than 23,000 people in over 650 clubs.
In 2025, Project 1000 took a fresh turn under the banner ‘Judo & Peace in Motion.’ Kofler combined his love for cycling with his judo mission, intending to cycle through 30 European countries while visiting clubs en route.
His route has already traced an ambitious path, from Estonia to Finland, with training stops in Helsinki and Turku, across Sweden to Norway, including JC Fredrikstad. Then he travelled from Gothenburg by ferry to Kiel, then cycled to Hamburg, training at JC Tayoo and Bramfelder SV. Through the Netherlands was next (Herkules Echt), on to Brussels (JC Saint Gilles) and through the Ardennes to Luxembourg, where he contributed to a youth day event in Differdange. Most recently, Franz began to cycle through France, culminating in a session at JC Monteverain near Disneyland Paris.
The route holds many more stops in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and finally Austria, where he plans a closing event at his home club, Judo Bregenz. By 9th October 2025, his odometer had recorded 11,100 km by bike, traversing 23 countries and delivering 25 formal training sessions.
The Heart of the Mission
At its core, Kofler’s endeavour is less about distance or display and more about personal connection, “Peace arises in motion, on the tatami and on the road, in the family and in society.” His journey is a model of judo’s founding ideals, mutual welfare and benefit (Jita Kyoei) and maximum efficiency with minimal effort (Seiryoku Zenyo), lived out not just in combat but through respect, empathy and movement. Kofler’s path reminds every judoka and observer that sometimes the real victories lie beyond the medal podia, in the bridges we build, the stories we share and the people we meet.
To all the clubs and training partners who welcomed him along the way, thank you. The mission goes on.
