As part of the agreement, FISU recognises the interest in judo and invites the National University Sport Federations together with Organising Committees of FISU events to consider the sport as a reflection of the development of FISU and the interests of the Movement.

This will allow the development of real, effective and actionable collaboration between the two bodies, it is hoped.

The ultimate aim of the partnership is to continue judo's participation at Summer Universiade and World University Championship events, following 18 events in the sport being held at the Summer Universidade in Kazan last summer, with South Korea leading the way with 10 medals of which five were gold. 

Among the finer points of the Convention includes a pledge to develop the levels of training as well as competition and, in particular, the female side of the sport.  

Setting up joint educational initiatives to protect judo against the dangers of doping and violence was also cited as well as a training and assessment unit for international technical officials and further means to promote sustainability as well as the concepts of fair-play and integrity.

Marius Vizer and Eric Saintrond sign the agreement during the SportAccord Convention ©SportAccord





Following the signing of the Convention Vizer, who is also President of SportAccord where he has just unveiled a similar partnership with the International School Sport Federation, described the importance of working with students.

"FISU is a beautiful organisation and it is a great honour for us to sign this Convention," he said.

"We have already been working for decades with FISU but now our collaboration will be reinforced.

"Most of our athletes are students and we want to increase their educational level to support them throughout their sporting career.

"All our athletes are very proud for having participated in the FISU event and many of our World and Olympic Champions, one day, participated in the Universiade or the World University Championships. 

"We are now developing e-learning methods for athletes and coaches and it is very important that we stay in contact as close as possible to the university movement.

"Since last September we have been implementing the IJF academy in partnership with the Semmelweis University in Budapest and we have projects in Turkey or in Spain as well. 

"This Cooperation Convention will help us to strengthen our work."

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