The Saudi Judo Federation has completed a Kata for All project successfully, held in partnership with the IJF Academy and the Mahd Academy in Riyadh. The event took place from 4th to 7th July 2025 and was launched with the aim of promoting the value of kata as an essential part of judo culture, education and sport.

The seminar in Riyadh gathered over 200 participants who, following the guidance of Dr Slaviša Bradić, IJF Academy Education Director, and Giulia Quintavalle, Olympic champion and IJF Academy expert, acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge of Nage-no-kata and Katame-no-kata.

Thanks to the excellent organisation provided by the national federation, the seminar also included a special programme for children, who demonstrated their newly acquired skills at the end of the event.

The seminar also included methods for teaching kata as a methodological tool for learning basic techniques for children, preparation for dan grade examinations and details of kata evaluation criteria. In addition to the children's demonstration, all other participants also performed kata.

During the seminar, a plan for future kata activities was developed in collaboration with the newly established national kata commission. This commission will focus on the development of kata, from children’s festivals to senior-level competition.

The closing ceremony was attended by management personnel from the Saudi Judo Federation and Mr Osama Salem, Executive Director of the Federation, who presented the participants with recognition certificates after four days of intensive training.

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