Georgia Locks In a Landmark Judo Role with the 2029 Worlds

Georgia has officially secured the right to stage the 2029 World Senior Judo Championships, a major moment for the country and for the sport. The hosting contract was signed on 16 June 2026 in Budapest, where Georgia’s Minister of Sport Shalva Gogoladze met IJF President Marius Vizer at the International Judo Federation headquarters.

The agreement confirms that Georgia will host the 2029 World Senior Judo Championships for both individuals and teams. That hosting decision had already been announced during the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 in March, but the contract signing turned that earlier news into a formal commitment.

Several senior figures were present for the ceremony, underlining the weight of the occasion. Among them were IJF Vice President and EJU President Laszlo Toth, IJF Secretary General Lisa Allan, Georgian Judo Federation President Levan Nozadze, Georgian ambassador to Hungary Nikoloz Laliashvili, Georgian Judo Federation Vice-President David Kevkhishvili and Manana Kavtaradze from the Georgian Ministry of Sports.

For Georgia, this is more than an administrative step. The discussions in Budapest focused on the country’s growing influence in judo and on the results that continue to lift its profile internationally. Officials from the IJF, the Georgian Ministry of Sports and the Georgian Judo Federation reviewed the sport’s progress in the country and the way Georgian success has helped inspire younger judoka.

That point is hard to ignore when looking at recent results. Eteri Liparteliani and Lasha Shavdatuashvili both took gold at the 2026 European Judo Championships, adding another high-level achievement to Georgia’s record.

Georgia’s rise in judo now has a world-stage destination.

The 2029 edition also carries extra sporting weight. It will be the first World Championships held after the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which gives the event a special place on the international calendar. Post-Olympic world championships often feel like the start of a new chapter, and Georgia will now be the country hosting that transition.

There is also a symbolic side to this decision. Georgia has built a strong reputation in judo through elite performances and a deep connection to the sport, and hosting the World Championships reflects that standing. Bringing the world’s leading judoka to Georgia in 2029 is a sign of trust from the IJF and a recognition of the nation’s role in modern judo.

For fans, athletes and young judoka in Georgia, this confirmation will land as a proud moment. The road to 2029 is still long, but the message from Budapest is already clear: Georgia is not just part of the international judo story, it is preparing to host one of its biggest chapters.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation