Ezio Gamba says farewell to Russia, candidate for FIJLKAM President

Italian Judo legend Ezio Gamba, who famously won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has stepped down from his role as the technical coordinator of the Russian national judo teams. Gamba, who had been contracted in this role until 2028, has decided to return to Italy, where he will run for the presidency of the Italian Judo Federation, Fijlkam.

During his extensive tenure in Moscow, Gamba became a highly influential figure in Russian judo. His coaching prowess was widely recognized, and he played a significant role in the development of the sport in Russia. Notably, he also served as a coach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a judo enthusiast. In recognition of his contributions to Russian sport, Gamba was granted Russian citizenship by Putin in 2016.

Gamba's decision to step down marks the end of an era for Russian judo, where his impact has been profound. Now, as he sets his sights on leading the Italian Judo Federation, his home country stands to benefit from his vast experience and leadership in the sport. His candidacy for the presidency of Fijlkam is likely to bring new energy and direction to Italian judo, drawing from his successful career both on and off the mat.

Gamba also stipulated on the ethics in sport. “Over the years, I have held various roles: coach (first of junior teams and then senior teams), Technical Director, General Manager responsible for every competitive team. In each of these roles, I have always tried to orient my work around the ethical principles of sport and life.”

Ethics are not only relevant in sports but in every aspect of society. This is an invitation for all of us to reflect on how we live, how we treat others, how we respect the environment, and how we contribute to building the future for generations to come. All of this has always been an integral part of the visionary message of Judo founder Jigoro Kano: “ji ta kyoei,” which is undoubtedly shared by the principles that govern wrestling, karate, and the associated disciplines.

Ethics demand that we take responsibility for our actions, avoid shortcuts, and always act with integrity and honesty. In my program, ethics will therefore be at the heart of all decisions, to ensure that development is not just synonymous with economic growth, but also with equity, justice, equal opportunities, and respect for everyone.

At ethical federation leaves no one behind, but offers opportunities to everyone and takes care of the most vulnerable, thus guaranteeing justice and solidarity.

We need a new spring, a renewed collective commitment to build a more just and supportive Federation. With your trust, I am ready to lead this change and to place ethics at the heart of the actions of our Federation, working tirelessly for a future that makes us all proud.