The International Judo Federation (IJF) is taking another step in its strategy to strengthen equal opportunities in sport with a new edition of Sakura Judo, a program that will take place in Lima, Peru, from August 5 to 7, 2026. In collaboration with the Peruvian Judo Federation, the initiative will bring together athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, and emerging female leaders over three days with a shared goal: to demonstrate that a career in judo can extend far beyond the competitive stage.
The project stems from a reality shared by many women in sport. Although judo has long been associated with values such as respect, resilience, and confidence, many female athletes struggle to remain involved in the sport after their competitive careers end. Sakura Judo seeks to change that reality through training, mentorship, and practical tools that create new opportunities for leadership and participation within national and international judo structures.
A program designed to help women continue growing in judo
The creation of Sakura Judo is the result of years of reflection by the IJF alongside the international judo community. Larisa Kiss, the project’s director and head of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Judo Movement at the federation, explained that the initiative emerged after recognizing that many women continued to question whether there was a place for them in judo once their competitive careers had ended. Rather than simply identifying that gap, the organization chose to create a space offering practical tools to transform that reality.
With the support of IJF President Marius Vizer, the program combines leadership sessions, professional development, and technical training in a single learning environment. International experts will share knowledge on management, communication, and leadership, while the IJF Academy will deliver practical classes covering judo techniques, kata, and refereeing. Participants will also take part in sessions inspired by the Women in High-Performance Sport (WISH) program, aimed at strengthening confidence, decision-making skills, and the leadership abilities needed to take on responsibilities within their national federations.
Lima will be the starting point of a long-term strategy
The Lima edition has been designed around the specific needs of Peruvian judo. The Peruvian Judo Federation has adapted the program to strengthen women’s long-term participation in the sport, develop female coaches and administrators, promote athlete safeguarding, and provide practical self-defense education. A total of 30 participants, including athletes, coaches, referees, organizers, and women in leadership roles, will attend the seminar at the VIDENA Sports Complex.
Beyond the activities scheduled over those three days, the IJF sees Sakura Judo as the beginning of a continuous development process. Participants are encouraged to continue their education through the federation’s academy, build collaborative networks, become mentors for future generations, and help strengthen more inclusive sporting communities. Through this vision, the program aims to create a structure where female talent can find opportunities for growth both on and off the tatami, strengthening the future of judo through leadership and active participation.
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