The 7 days of individual competition of the 2025 OTP Bank World Championships Hungary are over and so it is time to refocus and get ready for the mixed team event. Sixteen teams will be aiming for gold. Will Japan take this title again or can they be moved to one side by the likes of France, Georgia or perhaps by a surprise success from somewhere else in the world?
On the final day of individual competition, there were some special moments which must be mentioned. Judo legend Yasuhiro Yamashita has a record that inspires judoka the world over. Olympic gold, 4 world titles and an unbeaten run which lasted for several years, are just some of Yamashita’s accolades. Now an IOC member and an IJF Hall of Fame inductee, he was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the judo family. IJF President Mr Marius Vizer was proud to present a special certificate to IJF Executive Committee member and Olympic champion Mr Kosei Inoue, on behalf of Mr Yamashita, welcoming him to the IJF as an honorary member.
Mr Yamashita sent a statement of thanks which read, “I am deeply honoured to receive the title of IJF Honorary Member. This recognition is for everyone who has shared the journey of judo with me. As a lifelong judoka, I will continue to work to spread the values of judo around the world. Judo is a way to perfect oneself and to contribute to society, a path towards peace and mutual understanding. It is with great happiness and pride that I am part of the judo family.”
The next award was for 4-time Olympian, Unicef Ambassador and 10-time African champion, Salima Souakri, who continues to be a driving force for equality both at home in her native Algeria and on the world stage. Marius Vizer presented Ms Souakri with her 7th dan in front of an appreciate crowd at the Papp Laszlo Arena.
Then there was a special announcement about the IJF Athletes’ Commission. During World Championships, participating athletes had the opportunity to vote for new representatives to take up positions on the IJF Athletes’ Commission for the next four year term (2025-2029).
The newly elected members were announced:
Representing the AJU - Jasmine Martin (RSA)
Representing the EJU - Kim Polling (ITA)
Representing the JUA - Ryunosuke Haga (JPN)
Representing the OJU - Nathan Katz (AUS)
Representing the PJC - Ivan Felipe Silva Morales (CUB)
It has been an outstanding day of judo, of awards and of the passing of the world championships from Hungary to Azerbaijan. Read about that moment here:
https://www.ijf.org/news/show/the-2026-world-championships-head-to-azerbaijan
Tune in to JudoTV at 10:00 tomorrow for the always-electric mixed team tournament; it promises to be fabulous from the very first round.