There is a powerful sense of continuity in the venue. In 2022, it was the cadets who gathered here for the Sarajevo World Championships Cadets. Today, several generations separate those young athletes from the competitors arriving in Sarajevo, yet the passion, commitment and desire to perform remain exactly the same.
The opening day is devoted to the men’s M1 and M2 categories. On Monday 21st September, M3 and M4 judoka will compete, followed by M5 and M6 on Tuesday. Wednesday will see M7, M8 and M9 take centre stage before all the women’s categories bring the championships to a close under the arena lights on Thursday 24th September.
A total of 1,347 judoka from 65 nations across all five continents are registered for the 2026 edition, an event which demonstrates, year after year, the vitality of judo at every stage of life.
Every day, attention naturally turns towards the World Judo Tour, where hundreds of athletes pursue world and Olympic dreams. The judo family also celebrates its cadets and juniors who represent the future of the sport. Yet, veterans must never be overlooked. Some were leading competitors in their time, while others pursued their sporting journeys at a more modest level. Many are lifelong enthusiasts, coaches, club instructors, referees and volunteers, the people whose daily commitment keeps judo moving, from the smallest local club to the world championships and the Olympic Games.
The veteran community is active, generous and always ready to contribute its experience and energy to the development of judo. These judoka are not a separate group. The age categories exist for clear and necessary reasons, respecting the physical capacities of every competitor but they do not separate veterans from the rest of the sport. They are an integral link in the great judo family, carrying its memory, its values and its future.
In Sarajevo, every contest will be about more than a result. It will be a reminder that judo does not fade with time. It evolves, deepens and continues to inspire.
