Pokhodenko, 53, died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month, it has been revealed. 

He has been described as the "driving force" behind the promotion and growth of judo throughout Ukraine after being one of the founding members of the UJF in 1995.

Pokhodenko worked as a judo coach after graduating from the Kharkiv University of Physical Education in his native city.

In the early 1990s he moved to capital Kyiv where he worked at the city's Sports School of Olympic Reserve before a brief spell living and working in China.

On his return to Ukraine, he took up a role with the judo department of the country's Ministry of Sports and served as the state coach of judo in Ukraine from 1996 to 2012.

In addition, Pokhodenko served as UJF secretary general from 1995 to 2006 and was elected to the role again last year.

The IJF paid tribute to Pokhodenko in a statement released on its website.

"For many years, Volodymyr Pokhodenko worked in the name of the development of sports and judo in Ukraine," it said.

"His hard work and efforts, irresistible energy and effectiveness turned out to be one of the driving elements of further promotion and popularisation of judo in Ukraine, as well as [the] achievements of Ukrainian judokas in the international arena.

"In the memory of the Ukrainian judo community, Volodymyr Pokhodenko will always remain a reliable friend, a man with a solid position in life and a true professional of his craft."

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