As the judoka left the arena, a parade of flags took place to music before the special guests were announced, as follows:
Mr Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation
Mr Zhou Jinqiang, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee
Mr Bian Zhiliang, Honorary Vice President of the IJF, Chairman of the Board of Taishan Sports Industry Group
Mr Daniel Gyurta, Director of the Department of Sports Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
Mr Naser Al Tamimi, General Treasurer of the International Judo Federation
Mr Almaz Alsenov, CEO of Harvest Group, partner of the International Judo Federation
Mr Liu Chengliang, President of the Chinese Judo Association
Mr He Yiqun, Deputy Director of the Weightlifting, Wrestling and Judo Sport Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China
Ms Qiao Yunping, Director General of the Shandong Administration of Sports
Mr Wang Yi, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong Sport University
Ms Zhang Hui, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee
Mr Zhao Shengcun, the Deputy Mayor of the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government
Mr Jiang Lin, Deputy Secretary General of the CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee
The first welcome speech was then delivered by Ms Qiao Yunping, Director General of the Shandong Administration of Sports, “Distinguished President Vizer of the International Judo Federation, distinguished officials, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends, good afternoon.
Today, we gather in Qingdao, Shandong Province, to celebrate the opening of the Qingdao Grand Prix 2025. On behalf of the Shandong Administration of Sports, I would hereby like to extend our warmest welcome to all distinguished guests and athletes who have travelled here from afar, along with our sincerest gratitude to the International Judo Federation, the General Administration of Sport of China, and the Chinese Olympic Committee, for the consistent support and assistance to Shandong.
In recent years, great efforts have been made to accelerate the construction of a leading province in sport, following the guidance of Xi Jinping’s ‘Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’ and the principle of taking the lead and shouldering major responsibilities.
Great results have been achieved in competitive sport. Twenty-three athletes from Shandong Province have won 32 Olympic gold medals. Shandong has been ranking first in the National Games for four consecutive editions. 83 national-level sport talent reserve bases have been established. Mass fitness activities have been thriving. 739 sporting events, with over 500 participants in each, have been held, generating direct economic benefits of 4.6 billion yuan and indirect economic benefits of 11.3 billion yuan. The sport industry has been greatly developed!"
"As a popular competitive sport worldwide, judo embodies the wisdom of ‘using softness to overcome hardness, combining strength with flexibility,’ which resonates deeply with Shandong's cultural ethos of ‘great virtue carries all things, resilience and perseverance drive progress.’ Shandong is a major province for nurturing judo talent. Last year, Shandong athlete Ma Zhenzhao won a bronze medal in the women's -78 kg category at the Paris Olympics, propelling Chinese judo’s return to the Olympic podium after an eight-year absence.
Renowned as a city of judo, Qingdao has cultivated many outstanding athletes such as Li Shufang, Liu Xia, and Yu Song, who have achieved remarkable success at the Olympics and world championships. Meanwhile, Qingdao has been consistently dedicated to the development of judo, hosting high-level events such as international opens and grand prix tournaments, not only strengthening the grassroots foundation of judo but also showcasing the positive image of Shandong Province and Qingdao to the world, earning unanimous praise from international peers.
Qingdao hosting this judo grand prix, which provides athletes from around the world with a valuable opportunity for growth and an excellent platform for exchange and mutual learning. We have meticulously organised and prepared for the event, striving to create a favourable training and competition environment for all athletes.
What a joy to have friends coming from afar! We warmly welcome everyone to take time to explore the beautiful city of Qingdao, enjoy the stunning scenery of ‘red tiles, green trees, blue sea and the azure sky,’ and experience the cultural charm ‘Shandong style,’ with openness and inclusiveness, joining us in an unforgettable journey between the mountains and the sea!
Last but not least, we wish the competition to be a complete success! May all athletes achieve outstanding results, and all distinguished officials and guests enjoy good health and every success.”
Next to welcome everyone to Qingdao was Chinese Judo Association President Mr Chengliang Liu, “Distinguished IJF President Mr Vizer, all honourable IJF guests and leaders from Shandong Province and Qingdao City, good afternoon. On behalf of the Chinese Judo Association, we also welcome athletes and coaches from all over the world to attend this event in China, as well as all IJF technical officials and staff to work and enjoy their days in China.
The successful hosting of this competition in Qingdao is due to widespread support from all parties. First, I would like to thank the IJF for awarding this competition to China, enabling us to host a top level IJF event again after six years. Secondly, I would like to thank the Shandong Provincial Sports Bureau and the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the CPC and Municipal People's Government for their active support, creating favourable conditions for hosting the competition Moreover, I would like to thank the organising committee for their dedication and hard work."
"The Chinese Judo Association would like to take this competition as an opportunity to enhance co-operation with the IJF, to fully support all aspects of the event organisation, continuously improving to make this event world-class and a showcase for international judoka, making a contribution to the development of judo worldwide. We sincerely welcome members of the global judo family to visit China frequently to exchange skills and strengthen friendships through competition.
Finally, I wish this competition to enjoy total success and hope all guests and friends have an unforgettable time in Qingdao.”
To declare the Qingdao Grand Prix officially open, IJF President Mr Marius Vizer took the floor, “Dear distinguished Ms Qiao Yunping, Mr Jinqiang and Chinese Judo Association President Mr Chengliang Liu, dear distinguished leaders of the Shandong province and dear judo family members, we are grateful to be back in China, thanks to the government of Shandong Province, the Chinese Judo Association, the Chinese Olympic Committee, local organisers and of course our partners. The IJF will reinforce all relationships in co-operation with all judo activities here in China, with the shared objective of contributing to a better society. Thank to all who supported our event, knowing that judo is the sport of peace, friendship and unity in the world. I declare the Qingdao Grand Prix open.”
Following the speeches, the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China was played and the IJF anthem then rung out in the stadium.