Across Europe, Young Judoka Put Shared Learning at the Center

During European Youth Week 2026, the JOY project, Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations, launched the Young Judo Voices Campaign and turned the spotlight toward a part of judo that often speaks for itself on the tatami: learning between generations.

The campaign brought together 40 young judoka from Türkiye, Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. More than just a social media action, it created a space where young athletes from across Europe could reflect on what judo gives them and what they give back.

Participants ranged from 6 to 25 years old, which made the message especially powerful. The campaign asked them to think about what they learn from older and more experienced judoka, what they contribute themselves, and why training across generations matters in daily practice.

Their answers pointed in the same direction. Young people are not only receivers of tradition in judo; they are active contributors to it. They learn from experience, but they also bring fresh energy, perspective, and curiosity into the dojo.

On the tatami, experience and youth moved in the same direction.

The campaign highlighted three central ideas. First, mutual exchange between generations strengthens technical, social, and personal development. Second, intergenerational training helps build respect and inclusion. Third, judo remains a place for lifelong learning, where progress is not reserved for one age group.

Several of the young voices featured in the campaign captured that feeling clearly. One participant explained that intergenerational training matters because both sides learn from each other: older judoka share experience, while younger athletes bring new perspectives and energy. Another described training with more experienced judoka as a challenge in the best sense, saying it pushes improvement and constantly offers something new to learn.

A third reflection may be the simplest and strongest of all: in judo, age does not really matter on the tatami. The key is the willingness to keep learning.

That idea sits at the heart of the JOY project. The campaign presented judo not just as a sport built on technique and discipline, but as a living exchange between generations. Experience meets curiosity, and both sides leave stronger.

For young judoka across Europe, that message feels especially relevant. They are not waiting in line to shape the future of judo someday. Through campaigns like this, they are already part of that process now, speaking in their own words and showing how the sport grows when every generation is involved.

More video statements from the campaign are available through the JOY project’s social media channels, including Instagram and Facebook.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union