The International Judo Federation -IJF- and the Peruvian Judo Federation held Sakura Judo from 5 to 7 August in Lima, Peru, in what the international federation presented as the programme’s inaugural edition. The event brought together 30 participants at the VIDENA Sports Complex, including athletes, coaches, referees, organisers, administrators and women in leadership positions, to work on their technical development and opportunities to progress within judo.
According to the IJF, the initiative responds to the fact that many women leave the sport after their competitive careers or do not see a clear route into coaching, refereeing, administration or governance. Sakura Judo seeks to provide training, motivation, practical tools and opportunities to help them remain and develop within the sport. Introducing the project, IJF President Marius Vizer said: “Sakura Judo is a new IJF gender equality initiative aimed at inspiring and supporting women in judo to remain part of our sport and continue on their career path with judo.”
Remaining and progressing within judo
The three-day programme combined leadership and empowerment masterclasses with practical IJF Academy sessions covering technical skills, kata and refereeing, alongside discussions inspired by the Women in Sport High Performance -WISH- programme. The Peruvian federation adapted the content to its national priorities, with particular emphasis on women’s participation and retention, the development of female coaches and sport administrators, safe sport, athlete protection and practical self-defence.
One of the programme’s lead educators, Gabriela Müller, explained that Sakura Judo was created to address two needs: “The first is the technical side of judo, helping more women become stronger and more confident on the tatami with the support of outstanding coaches. The second is leadership. We need more women represented in every role throughout our sport.” Each participant also developed an individual plan known as “Version 4.0”, focused on the leadership skills she wants to strengthen. “It does not matter whether you are leading in your club, your dojo, your region, your national federation or internationally. Every level matters,” Müller added.
Leadership experiences in Lima
Project lead Larisa Kiss, IJF Director for Olympic Games and Olympic Movement for Judo, connected those lessons with her own career. During almost 20 years with the organisation, she progressed from secretary to one of its senior executives and has been appointed IJF Delegate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. She is the first woman in judo history to serve as an Olympic Games Delegate. “Growth begins when we step outside our comfort zones. That is where we learn, where we discover what we are capable of and where we begin to shine,” she explained.
Peruvian federation President María Martínez highlighted the athletes, coaches, referees and administrators within her organisation who want to develop further. She also addressed the doubts that can arise when taking on responsibility: “My first instinct is always to say, ‘Let’s do it!’ Only afterwards do the doubts arrive. Will I be capable? How will we achieve it? But I have always felt responsible for the people who trust me. Every challenge we accept allows all of us to grow.” Martínez added that she has always wanted to earn every position by being the best-qualified person for the role, regardless of whether she was competing against a man or a woman.
Training, opportunities and mutual support
Panamerican Judo Confederation President Carlos Zegarra said the confidence placed in Peru reflects the work of its national federation and the leadership roles already held by women within the organisation. “We have athletes, referees, coaches, administrators and sports managers. They will become ambassadors for future generations,” he said. He also argued that “opportunities should be earned through professionalism, education and competence”. Zegarra highlighted the experience of a teaching team comprising Müller, Kiss, Loredana Lascau, WISH programme manager, and Daniela Krukower, a world champion and IJF Academy expert.
Sakura Judo is intended as the beginning of a long-term development pathway rather than a stand-alone activity. The IJF is encouraging participants to continue their education through its Academy, become mentors within their national federations and maintain the support network created in Lima. “When one woman moves forward, others gain confidence to move forward as well. That is how change happens,” Martínez said. “I hope these three days are not the end of a programme. I hope they become the beginning of a new way of thinking, where women see more opportunities, dare to face their fears and pursue the dreams they deserve.”
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