Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, was present at an Olympic masterclass in Ljubljana, hosts of the World Junior Championships, in which Slovenia's London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Urska Zolnir and European champion Rok Draksic were among the country's leading internationals who shared their skills with the 350 children before posing for pictures and signing autographs.

Youngsters team up to hold down Slovenia's Olympic champion Urska Zolnir at an event in Ljubljana attended by IJF President Marius Vizer to celebrate World Judo Day

"I am very proud to be here for the 2013 World Judo Day," Vizer said.

"I want to congratulate all the judoka here and your parents for supporting you and your life in judo.

"I congratulate judoka all around the world for their participation and respecting the values of judo which are observed on and off the tatami.

"I wish you all success in life and in judo."

As well as this event in Slovenia, judoka from all parts of the globe took part in World Judo Day, transmitting the message through events of their own.

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic with the country's World Junior team bronze medallists, who he invited into this office to help celebrate World Judo Day

In Croatia, President Ivo Josipović invited a delegation from the Croatian Judo Federation, including Sanda Corak, its head, into his residence to mark the occasion.

In Britain,  the Mayor of South Tyneside Ernest Gibson donned his judogi at South Shields Judo Club where internationals, including former European champion Sarah Clark, started their careers, while Kosovo's first world champion in any sport, Majlinda Kelmendi, visited local clubs with her 2013 gold medal to inspire the next generation of budding judoka.

Mongolia saw two new training venues opened in the Khan Uul District and Baganuur city, about 150 kilometres from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, while a group of University judo students climbed to the top of Bogd Khan Mountain.

Finally, Spanish judoka Francisco Olivenza organised a simultaneous judo event, at 2pm Central European Time, in Spain, Uruguay, Brazil and Senegal to link the national social projects that have been established in these countries, which use judo as an educational tool for the young.

"The objective of joint events was to show students that judo is a sport that unites us and that with perseverance you can get anything you intend," said Olivenza.

For more information on World Judo Day click here.

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