In a powerful display of regional collaboration and technical refinement, more than 100 elite judo referees and national team coaches from 18 countries came together in Lima this week for a high-level officiating seminar. The goal was to harmonize the interpretation and application of judo’s updated rules.
The sessions took place at the Videba Sports Hall on April 15 and 16. The seminar was led by two of the sport’s most respected figures, Florin Daniel Lascau and Armen Bagdasarov, both senior officials within the International Judo Federation. With their guidance, the seminar evolved into more than just a rulebook refresher. It served as an open forum for discussion, shared experience, and cross-border alignment.
“Opportunities like this are essential not just for learning but for forming a collective understanding,” said Brazilian referee Marcio Gomer. “We’re building a shared lens through which we interpret the sport.”
One of the seminar’s distinguishing features was the active involvement of coaches, many of whom currently work with national teams. Their presence transformed the event into a dynamic live clinic, where referees and coaches exchanged insights, asked questions, and explored the practical implications of updated rules. This direct interaction was seen as a valuable step toward building trust and cohesion in decision-making during matches.
Collaboration refereeing workshop with coaches
According to many participants, the format was both rare and necessary. The discussions not only clarified rule interpretations but also helped lay the groundwork for a more unified global standard in officiating.
This initiative in Lima follows similar seminars recently held by the Judo Union of Asia. Last month, sessions were conducted in Hong Kong and Taiwan to support the professional development of Asian referees and coaches. Led by Osaka Akinobu, the program featured match video analysis and critical reviews of officiating decisions to ensure participants were fully aligned with the latest IJF rule changes.
The Lima seminar concluded with remarks by Carlos Segarra, President of the Pan American Judo Confederation. He praised the commitment and professionalism of all attendees and thanked IJF President Marius Vizer for his close support and collaboration, which he described as vital to the seminar’s success.
“This is how we build trust in the system,” Segarra said. “By coming together, learning together, and refining the sport we all serve.”
As judo continues to evolve, events like the Lima seminar show that the future of the sport depends not only on clear rules but on a shared understanding among those who enforce them.
