By Emily Goddard

The Judo Educational Journey Through China has reached the halfway point in Wenzhou ©IJFJudo Educational Journey Through China reached the halfway point in Wenzhou today, where it was supported by Olympic champion Yang Xiuli.

The journey, organised by the International Judo Federation in association with Chinese Judo Association (CJA) with the backing of the Chinese Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has so far seen about 1,800 people take part in 10 judo sessions, including clinics with young and professional athletes, photo shooting and conferences on the judo values.

After being launched in Beijing on May 13, the second edition of the journey - which is also promoting the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games - made stops in Guangzhou and Changsha.

As well as Beijing 2008 under 78 kilogram gold medallist Xiuli, the stop in Wenzhou was attended by IJF education and coaching director Mohamed Meridja, IJF media and communications director Nicolas Messner, head of CJA international affairs Meng Bo, and judo leaders and teachers.

The Judo Educational Journey Through China is also promoting the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games ©IJFThe Judo Educational Journey Through China is also promoting the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games ©IJF


"The Journey has focused on education and on the philosophical dimension of judo," read an IJF statement.

"The main message addressed to the participants is: judo is fun, judo is simple, judo is a way of life and it offers skills for life to the young generation.

"The Journey's aim is also to give the opportunity to the Chinese population to discover judo and its values.

"It gives tools to the [Chinese] federation for its own development."

The Judo Educational Journey Through China will continue to travel through the nation until it it is due to make its final stop in Nanjing on May 23.

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