The banking firm has signed on after the last event of the judo season, the IJF Masters, which took place in Russian city Saint Petersburg and ended on December 17.

Both parties signed a contract at the IJF offices in Budapest.

"My main goal was to develop our sport, show the world the beauty and values of judo and transform judo as a modern leading sport on the international scene," said IJF President Marius Vizer following the agreement.

"Our future targets are to increase the number of broadcasters and the popularity of judo, increase the media value for sponsors and attract more sponsorship, as well as consolidate the IJF and World Judo Tour brand, creating a universal judo culture."

An IJF statement added: "This contract will unite the judo world and SMP for the next four years. 

"Recently the IJF also signed a contract with an other company, Impulse, increasing the number of partners which are joining the judo family and which are accompanying the development of the sport.

"For many years, judo has been going through an important development in all sectors, attracting more and more media attention and more sponsors."