International Judo Federation

The International Judo Federation (IJF) was founded in July 1951.[1] The IJF was originally composed of judo federations from Europe plus Argentina.[2] Countries from four continents were affiliated over the next ten years. Today the IJF has 200 National Federations on all continents. There are over 20 million people around the globe who practice judo, according to the IJF.[3]

International Judo Federation
CategorySports federation
JurisdictionInternational
AbbreviationIJF
Founded1951 (1951)
HeadquartersBudapest, Hungary
PresidentMarius Vizer
Official website
www.ijf.org

Since 2009, IJF has organized yearly World Championships and the World Judo Tour consisting of five Grand Prix, four Grand Slams, a master tournament and a Continental open tournament.[4]

The IJF named Russian President Vladimir Putin its honorary president and IJF Ambassador in 2008.[5] That status was suspended in 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5][6]

The IJF also cancelled all competitions in Russia, but allowed their athletes to compete as neutral athletes.[7]

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, most international sports organizations banned Russian athletes.[8] But IJF President Marius Vizer, a long-time close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted instead to let Russians and Belarusians continue to compete as neutral athletes.[8] Finally, both national federations withdrew of their own accord.[8]

Events

Presidents of the IJF
  • Aldo Torti, Italy, 1951
  • Risei Kano, son of Kanō Jigorō, Japan, 1952–1965
  • Charles Palmer Great Britain, 1965–1979
  • Shigeyoshi Matsumae, Japan, 1979–1987
  • Sarkis Kaloghlian, Argentina, 1987–1989
  • Lawrie Hargrave, New Zealand, 1989–1991
  • Luis Baguena Spain, 1991–1995
  • Yong Sung Park, South Korea, 1995–2007
  • Marius Vizer, Romania/Austria, 2007– [9]


  1. Ohlenkamp, Neil (2006). Black Belt Judo - Neil Ohlenkamp - Google Books. ISBN 9781845371098.
  2. "History". www.insidethegames.biz.
  3. Thomas, Luke (March 8, 2015). "What is judo's problem with mixed martial arts?". MMA Fighting.
  4. "Timeline". International Judo Federation. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  5. "International Judo Federation Suspends Putin as Honorary President". RFI. February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  6. "Official Announcement of the International Judo Federation". International Judo Federation. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  7. "Citing safety concerns, Russia withdraws all judo athletes from international competition". infobae.
  8. "Most Olympic federations suspend Russian athletes, but officials go free". www.playthegame.org.
  9. "International Judo Federation Executive Committee". International Judo Federation. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
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