The International Judo Federation is committed to promoting the moral principles and values of Judo, Olympism and sport in general, thus making an active contribution to the promotion of peace and equality between nations, races and genders.

The IJF Statutes reflect this approach in article 1. 2: “IJF shall not discriminate on the ground of race, religion, gender or political opinion”. Based on experiences from previous years and in an attempt to take a firm and constructive stance in the fight against discrimination in sport, the International Judo Federation announces that it will suspend two of its events, namely the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the Tunis Grand Prix.

Prior to this decision and after carefully analysing the past situations involving the denial of participation in equal conditions of all IJF member federations – with their national insignia and anthem at the aforementioned events, and after repeated past interventions, the IJF officially requested the two organisers to provide a letter of guarantee signed by the government that all IJF member nations would have the right to participate in their events in equal conditions.

The International Judo Federation is aware that the situation and incidents registered are due to a complex and complicated political and historical context, but we strongly believe that politics should not have any interference in sports and that sports should be a reflection of human respect, understanding and mutual cooperation and that sports, as one of the highest expressions of humanity, should have the power to overcome any other conflict or interest.

As no positive answer was received to date, although past the given deadline, the International Judo Federation’s Executive Committee decided to suspend both the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the Tunis Grand Prix until governmental guarantee is given to ensure free and equal participation of all nations at the said events.

The IJF regrets the inconvenience caused to any of its members, athletes and coaches, partners and media and we hope to be able to restore the situation at the earliest, and ensure the best possible outcome in the given the circumstances.

See also
Pan-America
The PJC Has a New Secretary General

28. Apr. 2025 / Dr Antonio Castro has been a highly active member of ...

Continental Championships
Continental Championships Packed to Capacity

27. Apr. 2025 / April is always a highly anticipated month across the ...

Africa Judo Union
Egypt Dominates Day Three in Abidjan

27. Apr. 2025 / The second day of the African Senior Championships ...

Judo Union of Asia
Strong Finish for Uzbekistan, Bahrain, China and Korea

27. Apr. 2025 / As expected, on the final day of competition at the ...

European Judo Union
The Final Day of Individual Competition in Podgorica

26. Apr. 2025 / The third and final day of individual competition has ...

Gender Equality
I Will Do It!

26. Apr. 2025 / Under the leadership of its newly re-elected president, ...

Gender Equality
Judo Skipathon for Women's Empowerment

26. Apr. 2025 / From 21st March to 21st April 2025, judo clubs from ...

Africa Judo Union
First Day of the African Championships: Soumiya Iraoui Wins for the Fifth Time

26. Apr. 2025 / The first day of the 46th African Senior Championships ...

Judo Union of Asia
Japan Dominates Again but Uzbekistan and Korea Show Their Strength

26. Apr. 2025 / On the second day of the 2025 Asian Judo Championships ...

Interview
Panam is Ready!

25. Apr. 2025 / Carlos Zegarra Presser is the newly re-elected president ...

Interview
Chile Demonstrates Its Capacities

25. Apr. 2025 / Marcelo Simian is the President of the Chilean Judo ...

Interview
The Power of Unity

25. Apr. 2025 / Developing judo can be challenging.

European Judo Union
Big Names Win and Lose on Day 3 in Podgorica

25. Apr. 2025 / The third day of the European Championships launched ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...