The IJF World Judo Tour makes a stop this week in Astana, Kazakhstan, to celebrate the Grand Slam Qazaqstan Barysy 2025, an event that promises to be a spectacular showdown between some of the most prominent names in world judo. This tournament brings together 358 athletes from 45 delegations, consolidating Kazakhstan as a key point on the international judo map.
One of the most important moments prior to the competition was the official draw on Thursday, a moment that was attended by key international and local judo figures such as the Referee Directors, Florin Daniel Lascau and Armen Bagdasarov, along with the Director of Education and Training, Mohamed Meridja, all from the International Judo Federation (IJF). Representing Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Judo Federation (KJF) President Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev and Vice Presidents Serikbol Urazalin and Ali Khamkhoyev attended.
During the event, Armen Bagdasarov welcomed the attendees on behalf of the IJF and its president, Marius Vizer. Bagdasarov highlighted Kazakhstan’s recent achievements in judo, including a gold and a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games in Paris, and thanked the government, the Olympic Committee and sponsors for making this high-level event possible.
“We promote this sport with prestige”
KJF President Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev expressed his pride in Kazakhstan’s role on the world judo stage. “It is an honor for us that Kazakhstan is on the world map of judo. We promote this sport with prestige, in a spirit of friendship and respect,” Yessekeyev said during the ceremony.
For his part, Florin Daniel Lascau, representing the IJF Referees Commission, assured that some of the best referees in the world have been selected to ensure fair and consistent refereeing, in line with the new rules of judo.
Schedules of the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2025
This weekend’s tournament will take place over three days, with the following start times:
- Day 1: 10:00
- Day 2: 10:30 am
- Day 3: 11:00
The final block of each day will start at 17:00, while the official opening ceremony will take place at 16:15 on the second day. Prior to the bouts, official weigh-ins and judogi checks will take place, ensuring that everything is ready for the start of the competition.
Live broadcast and full coverage
For judo fans, the event will be streamed live on JudoTV, where all the bouts, replays and statistics can be followed.
