Brazil Deepens Its Place in Global Judo Education with New IJF Academy Week

Brazil has once again become a meeting point for judo education, as the Brazilian Judo Confederation welcomed another IJF Academy ‘Judo Instructor – Level 1’ practical course in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo. The latest edition brought together 44 participants from eight countries for a demanding week built around practical work, evaluation and shared learning.

For Brazil, this was more than another event on the calendar. It marked the third time the country has staged the programme, following earlier editions in 2019 and 2023, and underlined its growing role in the educational side of international judo.

The course was organised by the IJF Academy under the auspices of the International Judo Federation. For the Brazilian Judo Confederation, hosting it again represents an important boost for the development of coaches and officials across the country, especially as this certification is required for professionals who want to work at World Judo Tour events.

Thiara Bertoli, Competition Manager of the Brazilian Judo Confederation, described the programme as an important initiative for the judo community. She pointed to the value of giving Brazilian coaches and referees direct access to this level of education without needing to travel abroad.

Brazil is not only training athletes, but also shaping the people around the tatami.

One of the key steps forward this year was the inclusion of referees alongside coaches in the same educational structure. That change matters. It reflects a wider idea inside the IJF Academy: judo develops best when the people teaching it and the people judging it work from the same technical and pedagogical understanding.

Florin Daniel Lascau, head of the IJF Academy, stressed that goal clearly, explaining that the academy aims to provide the same educational level to coaches everywhere in the world. He also noted that referees are now part of the process because refereeing is universal and because coaches and referees need a common understanding of judo.

That same message was echoed by Olympic champion Tina Trstenjak, who was present as an IJF Academy expert. Her presence also gave the event a strong European connection, alongside participants from France, Spain and Luxembourg. Trstenjak highlighted how important it is for coaches, referees and athletes to understand judo in the same way if the sport is to keep progressing.

Throughout the week, candidates took part in practical sessions covering tachi-waza, ne-waza and kata in both morning and afternoon blocks. This hands-on part of the programme is mandatory for those who have already completed the online theory component and want to coach or officiate at major international events, including world championships, World Judo Masters, grand slams and grand prix.

The course was also organised in partnership with the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme, adding another layer to its international importance. Along with Brazilian attendees, representatives came from France, Spain, South Africa, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Luxembourg, turning the week into a real exchange of experience as well as a certification pathway.

A shared judo language can shape the sport far beyond one week of training.

Brazil’s latest hosting role showed that progress in judo is not only about medals and match days. It is also about building stronger coaches, better referees and a more connected global community around the sport.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation