By Nick Butler in the Main Media Centre in Nanjing

IJF President Marius Vizer believes Nanjing 2014 will help boost the sport across China ©IJFInternational Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer has predicted that the sport  will continue to grow in China because it "totally fits with the Chinese mentality" and can contribute to the  general improvement of society.


Speaking here following the mixed team event that brought the judo Summer Youth Olympic programme to a close with athletes competing alongside players from different countries, Vizer was full of praise for what he had seen.

He welcomed the enthusiasm of the young Chinese people and their organisation in collaboration with the authorities, with this helping to produce an event he saw as "more than simply judo", and more of an "international youth celebration".

But, most of all, he was keen to highlight how he believes the sport will continue to grow in China, a nation already the fourth most successful in Olympic judo history behind Japan, France and South Korea, having won 20 all-time medals of which eight have been gold.

"Judo is a sport for all," said Vizer, who is also President of SportAccord. 

"It is not expensive but rich in values and philosophy.

"That dimension totally fits with the Chinese mentality and I am sure that judo can largely contribute to the improvement of society, not only here in China, but worldwide as well.

"Judo can help the young generations to develop their personality and judo will help them to get better and stronger in their life as well.

"China is based on discipline, the country has a great history and outstanding culture, therefore the Chinese society can easily assimilate our values."

International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer was full of enthusiasm for the sport's future following the mixed international team competition at Nanjing 2014 ©IJFInternational Judo Federation President Marius Vizer was full of enthusiasm for the sport's future following the mixed international team competition at Nanjing 2014 ©IJF



In a more specific sense, Vizer highlighted the "Judo Educational Journey Through China", which took place in 2013 and 2014 and was hailed as a "fantastic success, especially here in Nanjing".

In partnership with the Chinese Judo Association, they visited 12 cities in China, and held more than 40 judo animations and conferences for more than 10,000 children.

"Together with our World Judo Tour, our 20 major events per year, broadcasted over 150 territories, judo is becoming more and more popular," Vizer added.

"Today we have more than 20 million people practicing judo around the world.

"One of our tools to promote judo among the youth is our Judo for Children program, which is very successful.

"With this, we can combine the sports dimension and the educational values that we believe in."

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