FRIENDSHIP is the theme for the 2018 World Judo Day

The International Judo Federation will host the eighth and most anticipated edition of the annual #WorldJudoDay on 28 October with FRIENDSHIP selected as this year’s theme.

Previous themes were COURAGE (2017), UNITY (2016), HONOUR (2014), PERSEVERANCE (2013), JUDO FOR ALL (2012) and RESPECT (2011) for the day which is dedicated to coaches, fans, judoka and everyone with a passion for one of the world’s most widely practised sports.  

The theme for 2018 was decided by polls on Twitter and Instagram as FRIENDSHIP was the most popular selection for the global celebration which has become a key date on the international judo calendar.   

The #WorldJudoDay takes place on the same date every year as 28 October is the birthday of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo.  

Today, more than 20 million people practice judo around the world on a daily basis.  

The #WorldJudoDay is our showcase of the sport’s values and our spirit as judo is more than a sport. Judo is an educational tool that can help people to live together and to respect one another. The objective is to increase the number of judo players around the world and to help change people’s lives with the power of judo.  

Marius Vizer, IJF President, said: “The judo family has made an excellent choice by selecting Friendship as the theme this year. Friendship is the value which the world needs the most at the moment.”