On October 28th 2012, the birthday of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, and for the second consecutive year, the International Judo Federation hosted the World Judo Day. This full day, dedicated to the educational values of our sport, has entered the missions of the International Federation, whose purpose is to develop judo in all sectors, without any kind of discrimination. After ‘RESPECT’, selected last year on the occasion of the first edition of the event, the theme chosen this year was ‘JUDO FOR ALL!’
Judo has fundamental values that naturally grow in the dojo and on the mat. These values must find a favorable echo in everyday life and beyond that, in our society. No matter where one comes from, no matter what 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 year, the goal was for the national federations, the clubs, and generally speaking for all the judoka, to organize an event in connection with the World Judo Day and its theme. The idea, thanks to its simplicity, has brought together for a few minutes or several hours, judo players from all over the world, whatever their level or background was. If last year, 35 countries organized fifty projects, it is nearly 70 countries and more than 100 projects that were proposed to the IJF in 2012. This represents twice as many countries and projects than in 2011.
This year, the World Judo Day coincided with the second day of the Judo World Championship Teams that took place in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil). On this special occasion, the IJF President, Mr. Marius L. Vizer, delivered a message to the judo world: “Dear Judoka and Judo lovers. On the occasion of the World Judo Day, I ask to all judoka and judo community in the World, to promote the Olympic Spirit, and the Olympic values, which are also the values of our sport. I ask for unity, solidarity, though the energy and the spirit of judo, to increase our community and to built a better world.”
Large and small judo nations therefore joined forces to ensure the success of this World Judo Day, which has become an annual Rendezvous of the International Judo Federation. Some people gathered together in their club, with other judoka and family, to celebrate the values of mutual prosperity for self and others, invented by Jigoro Kano in the late nineteenth century. Others went out in the street to introduce judo to the general public. In all cases, through the World Judo Day, the humanist values of judo and of sports were honored. Appointment is already made for October 28th, 2013!
Find all the information and images about the second World Judo Day: http://www.worldjudoday.com
The message of the IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTD-wFHRPyg&feature=plcp —- IJF
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