More than 50 young athletes and their coaches took part in the activity, with a particular focus being put on the values of sport, due to judo's reputation as a highly educational activity. 

France's London 2012 Olympic under 70 kilogram champion Lucie Décosse, a Nanjing 2014 Athlete Role Model, led the session, while Ruben Houke of The Netherlands, an under 60kg world champion in 2007 and the Role Model four years ago in Singapore, also participated.

The duo were accompanied by Larisa Kiss, director of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Presidential Office and Nicolas Messner, IJF media and judo for peace director.

As judo is recognised as a highly educational activity, the focus was particularly put on the values of the sport.

"The session went very well, it was perfect and I was happy to see that all young participants were laughing," said Houke afterwards.

"For some of them it must have been a little strange to step for the first time of their life on a tatami, but after 30 seconds, they just enjoyed themselves.

"It's a beautiful way to promote our sport.

"This was really cool to show judo to people from diving, athletics or equestrian."

Athletes from sports as diverse as equestrian and diving participated in the session ©IJF



The IJF thanked the Chinese Judo Association as well as Nanjing 2014 for assisting them with preparations for the session, while, to add more value, the Federation also designed "roll-ups" summarising what judo is today, where it comes from and what the values are that judo wants to share within society.

Polly Serpell, an equestrian athlete from the Cayman Islands, was among the participants, and the 16-year-old described the session as "so fun" and something she did not imagine before she stepped on the mat.

"I knew a little about judo because my dad told me about it, he used to practice when he was a kid," she said.

"I like that in judo, you cannot hit or kick, it is safe.

"It was really cool."

Three more sessions are due to take place in the Village over the coming days and the IJF will also take part in judo demonstrations in a shopping centre in central Nanjing.

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