The World Judo Day in 2012
Dear Judoka,
For the second year in a row, the IJF is organizing and promoting World Judo Day, which is a full day dedicated to the values of our sport all over the globe. I know that many of you across the planet will prepare a special event to celebrate the educational dimension of Judo. Actually, you are all working on a daily basis to promote the extraordinary values of judo. I am very proud, and we can all be very proud of that. Thanks to all of you.
The International Judo Federation, in its missions, has the duty to develop judo in all sectors, without any kind of distinction and/or discrimination. When Master Jigoro Kano created judo in 1882, he wanted to create a means of education and he did it. This is the foundation of our discipline.
Judo has fundamental values that grow naturally in the dojo and on the mat, particularly through the various exercises that all of us have learned in our clubs. These values must find a favorable echo in everyday life and beyond that, in our society.
Last year's first edition was a fantastic success. Thanks to all of you and to your inventiveness, we were able to organize brilliant activities on all five continents. The theme of the first edition of the World Judo Day was 'RESPECT'. In 2012, we have chosen "JUDO FOR ALL" as the main theme. Wherever one comes from, whatever the social situation, the gender, the physical or mental capacities may be, everybody steps on the mat with equal chances and without any differences. This is symbolized by the white judogi that we all wear during our judo clinics and that help our partners to practice good judo.
This year, we would like to see around the world, on the same tatami and at the same time, all categories training together: men and women, youngsters and adults, white and black belts. We would also like to see mentally and physically challenged judoka together with all the other judo players, champions with kids…: JUDO FOR ALL.
October 28, the birthday of Jigoro Kano, is an annual day of awareness about judo and its values. This day is for all judoka. I hope that all practitioners, clubs, national federations and Continental Unions will rally to highlight the greatness of judo.
With all my friendship and respect for the work undertaken on a daily basis in all the dojos around the world.
Marius L. Vizer,
IJF President
How to Participate?
It is really simple. Based on this year's theme (i.e. JUDO FOR ALL), organize an event gathering all the judoka of your club, province, region, country, continent... Just before you can already send us a short presentation of the event. As soon as it is over, send the pictures, the videos, the press releases... to press@ijf.org. All the programs will be published on the WJD website, the IJF home page, the Facebook page, the twitter account and we will widely spread the information throughout the planet. Click on the banner to discover more about 'How to Participate?"
www.judophoto.com.au has provided us with images to illustrate the website. Thank you vey much for the contribution.
