The second edition of this unique tour began on May 13 and travelled from Beijing to Guangzhou, Changsha, Wenzhou, Shanghai and, finally, Nanjing.

Each step of the journey saw judo sessions including judo clinics, conferences and photo shoots on offer for an estimate 5,800 participants, all thriving to develop their judo skills, meet their Olympic heroes and learn the deep-running values that accompany the sport.

Whereas last year's tour ended on the iconic Great Wall near Beijing, this journey came to an end in Nanjing, host city of the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games, as a promotional tool for the Games which are due to begin on August 16.

The final leg saw a 10-stong delegation from the CJA, including Xiuli and Lili, joined by IJF head education and coaching director Mohamed Meridja, and Nicolas Messner, IJF media and head of Judo For Peace director.

Young judoka were joined by London silver medalist Xu Lili in Nanjing today to celebrate the end of the six-city The Judo Educational Journey Through China ©IJF





"It is a great symbol to close the tour in Nanjing, which will host the second Youth Olympic Games this summer," said Meridja

"The Chinese Judo Association did a fantastic job to make this project come true.

"Everybody put a lot of energy during the past two weeks and I especially want to congratulate the champions who dedicated their time to promote the educational dimension of judo."

Xiong Fangshan, secretary general of the CJA, added: "It was a fantastic adventure.

"Thanks to the IJF and the commitment of its President, Marius Vizer, and its experts, we had the opportunity to raise the awareness of the Chinese people to the judo values and philosophy.

"This is only the beginning of the development of judo throughout China and we would like to organise a third edition of the Journey, next year with new cities to be visited.

"We are keen to help the development of judo in China as well as to help the IJF to promote judo throughout the planet.

"After the Educational Journey through China in 2013 and 2014, my deepest impression is that students from primary schools and middle schools can have a better understanding on judo, especially the educational aspect of Judo.

"They learnt not only what judo is, but also the etiquette of judo, in which way we can better promote judo in a boarder sense among youngsters in the future.

"With the promotion of judo, we hope to make sport return society in a true sense.

"We hope people can join judo for exercise, so as to enhance their body physique, the etiquette of the youngsters and help realise the Chinese Dream."

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