He shares his strategic vision for the sport’s future, detailing initiatives to enhance global engagement, promote judo in schools, and ensure the sport’s accessibility and growth. Vizer outlines his long-term goals for judo development worldwide, emphasising innovative approaches to elevate the sport's success and impact.

Paris 2024 Olympics...

What are your expectations for the judo competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics in terms of athlete participation and global engagement?

Our expectations for the judo competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics are high and we are very confident that we will reach that level. Following the 2-year long qualification process, the number of nations represented (107) shows the universality of judo. The five continents are present and based on the World Ranking List, we can expect a very high level both during the individual tournament as well as for the mixed team event, where 18 teams plus the refugee team are qualified. 

Can you share any specific initiatives or programs the IJF has implemented to support athletes in the lead-up to Paris 2024?

For many years, the IJF has been supporting athletes and their federations throughout the world to participate in all World Judo Tour events, which give the qualification points and therefore open the doors to the Olympic Games. All together we had several thousands of judoka who took part in the process. The IJF is supporting athletes through educational programs and scholarships. Our organisation is supporting them financially and technically with equipment and expertise. A special program has been designed to support the refugee team, which is fully supported by the IJF. Six of them will participate this summer in the individual and mixed team event. The support from the IJF also comes through the IJF Academy, where coaches from the five continents are graduated and can thus offer the best expertise to all the judoka.

How does the IJF plan to enhance the spectator experience for judo fans attending the Paris 2024 Olympics or watching remotely?

As mentioned, France is a judo country, so we are fully confident that the atmosphere within the arena will be incredible. Tickets were sold in a record time. It will be full from morning to evening. The show that will be offered by the judoka will for sure offer the best live experience to everyone. For those who will follow from home, of course, they’ll be able to watch on TV. We will also offer live information and results on our website and on social media. We will of course deliver the results, but also reactions, comments, and interviews.

Are there any new technologies or innovations being introduced to improve the judging, broadcasting, or overall execution of judo matches at the Olympics?

The judo rules have been in place since the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, so there won't be any changes in terms of rules. Our judo fans and followers as well as the judoka are used to them. The broadcast of the Games is of a very high level and therefore it will be an extraordinary experience to follow the competition. That combined with the work the IJF is doing with the World Judo Tour to brand heroes and broadcast judo regularly in order to achieve that objective, coupled with the devotion and dedication of all national federations and continental unions ensure the public is well aware and interested to see the competition during the Olympics. We look forward to a lot of stories reaching a paramount point during the Games and to see how the history books are written.

During and after the Games...

What are the IJF’s primary goals and objectives for the period during and immediately after the Paris 2024 Olympics?

As soon as the Paris Olympics will be over, we will already be looking at the next edition in Los Angeles 2028. There will be a period to analyse all the results and see if any changes need to be made in terms of refereeing and organisation rules. Feedback from the national federations will be gathered together. Then we will have a testing period before the new Olympic qualification starts. Otherwise, the IJF will continue to work on the development of the sport (World Judo Tour) as well as the development of the practice of judo through its education activities, including Judo for Children, Judo in Schools, Judo for Peace, Gender Equality, Judo for All.

How does the IJF plan to build on the momentum from the Paris 2024 Olympics to further promote and develop judo worldwide?

The last editions of the Olympic Games were all great successes in judo. From Beijing (2008) to Tokyo (2020), through London (2012) and Rio (2016), we have witnessed amazing events. Throughout that period, judo has been developing continuously and positively. Paris will be incredible and we believe that it will boost even more judo, not only in France but throughout the world. The USA has proven to be a strong judo country in the past with World and Olympic medallists. We intend to continue developing the sport in the USA to guarantee that the LA Games will again be a great success. We will continue to work with all our TV partners while developing our own platforms (website, social media, JudoTV).

What are some of the long-term strategic plans the IJF has for the growth and development of judo over the next decade?

We will continue to develop the World Judo Tour, making sure that more and more athletes can have access to the top level to represent their respective countries in the best way. Judo being above all an educational tool, we will keep working with national federations and continental unions to increase the visibility of judo throughout the media. It will help to get more support. We will also keep working hand in hand with the Olympic movement (IOC, NOC, Olympic Solidarity). Programs such as Judo in Schools will be focused on making sure that all children can have access to judo and learn skills for life and the judo values, in order to create the conditions for a better society. Last but not least, we will continue to open access to our dojos throughout the world without any kind of discrimination and we will support those who need it the most. At the same time, Judo has been promoting Judo versions of Minecraft which will launch the newest edition on the occasion of the Paris Games where children can learn the values of judo and embark on a journey throughout the history of judo as well as compete in judo itself. We have passed over 5 million unique downloads so far and are looking forward to expanding this further to continue educating the youth and familiarising them with judo.

Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations the IJF is pursuing to expand the reach and popularity of judo globally?

The IJF is working on several fronts: through institutional partnerships with governments, ministers, sport and Olympic movements…, but also through partnerships with global organisations such as the UNHCR or UNAOC. In order to increase the visibility of judo, the IJF has developed an extensive TV coverage program, which is unique and tailor-made for any broadcaster. More than 150 territories already have access to TV coverage of judo events. We will continue to develop this. We will also continue to develop strong partnerships with the private sector and with partners that share the same values as the judo values. Moreover, it is by bringing together stakeholders and creating partnerships that can positively influence the development of youth that we can continue doing good and increasing the popularity of judo globally.

How is the IJF addressing sustainability and environmental concerns in its planning for major events, including the Olympics?

Global warming and climate change have been a major concern of the IJF over the past years. Thus, we nominated Climate Ambassadors and held several events to promote a clean environment. We have developed a sustainable policy and all our events are organised to limit their environmental impact and their greenhouse gas emissions. Educational programs have been implemented to educate the youth and through judo to make a change in our global behaviours. All those actions will be developed further in the upcoming years to make sure that every judoka on this planet understands that they can make a positive impact on the future of everyone.

Promotion of judo in schools...

What initiatives does the IJF have in place to promote judo in schools and among younger generations?

For many years, the IJF has been developing its Judo for Children/Judo in Schools program. More than 60 countries already joined the program, which represents several hundreds of thousands of children every year. The programs are designed to ‘Entertrain’ the children and to teach them skills for life and values that they can use in their everyday life. We strive to make the world a better place ensuring the citizens of tomorrow forge a foundation of values and skills supported by judo.

Can you provide examples of successful programs or partnerships that have helped integrate judo into school curriculums around the world?

The main and first initiative was launched by Ruben Houkes (NED), Olympic medallist (2008) and world Champion (2007). He started in the Netherlands with one school and 50 children. Today, there are 400 schools and 60,000 children every year who participate in the program in the Netherlands. Ruben is the head of the IJF Judo for Children Commission.

How does the IJF support national federations in their efforts to promote judo at the grassroots level?

The IJF support goes through different channels. There is financial support through the judo in schools programs. The IJF also helps with equipment (tatami, judogi) and expertise. All federations have access to an online platform with toolboxes to be used on the field. This includes exercises specially designed for children and best practices.

What role do you see judo playing in promoting physical education and healthy lifestyles among schoolchildren?

It is crucial that children remain active throughout their scholarship. We know by experience that practicing a sport, especially judo, helps them to be better focused at school and teaches them how to respect rules. Physical education is of the utmost importance to create the conditions for a better and healthier society. Judo helps to develop the body and the mind to create better citizens as stated by the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano. Through the practice of judo, children learn to live together and respect each other.

Are there any specific challenges the IJF faces in promoting judo in schools, and how are you addressing them?

Generally speaking, the challenges are very limited and judo is widely recognised as an educational tool that helps to enhance the results at school and the overall behavior of the children. When people don’t know judo, they might be afraid of judo being a combat sport. But once they discover it, they realize that it is actually the opposite. Judo brings people together without discriminations.

How does the IJF ensure that judo programs in schools are accessible to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background?

Practicing without any kind of discrimination is actually part of the DNA of the sport. Once you wear a judogi, there are no differences. The only one is related to your knowledge of the sport. Judo is and judo must be open to everyone. All programs supported and initiated by the IJF have to follow that principle. IJF together with National Federations of Judo and Ministries of Sport are promoting access to judo to all children in over 60 countries free of charge.

What measures are being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of young judo practitioners in school programs?

All school programs supported by the IJF are designed by our experts and are tested in situ to make sure that nothing is or can be dangerous. The first thing young children learn when practicing judo is how to fall down without getting hurt. This is exactly the purpose of judo in schools: to make sure that safety is central to everything.

How does the IJF leverage digital platforms and social media to engage young audiences and promote judo?

In recent years, the IJF has been developing several tools to address the younger generations. It goes from a dedicated Instagram account (judogallerykids) to Minecraft applications that have reached an incredible audience among the youth. During IJF competitions, special events (animation, autographs…) are held to attract a young audience. We also have developed a dedicated website for Judo in Schools programs (https://schools.ijf.org/).

What feedback have you received from educators and students about the impact of judo in schools?

For many years, all the feedback is positive. When people are asked, "what is the best educational activity?" many of them answer, "judo." Over the years, the sport has developed that image of being the best educational tool for children when it comes to physical activity, health, and values. All teachers and parents, whose children practice judo, explain that they are more respectful and more focused.

How can interested schools and communities get involved with IJF programs to introduce judo to their students?

IJF can be contacted through the IJF Judo for Children commission (https://www.ijf.org/ijf/commissions/13).