Inside the IJF Youth Camp in Fiesch: 500 Young Judoka Learn the Real Demands of Top-Level Judo

The IJF Youth Camp in Fiesch opened its first full day of action on Monday, giving young judoka a close look at what high-performance judo really means. In this international setting, learning was not limited to technique alone, as athletes were exposed to the wider demands of the sport through shared training and daily exchanges.

Around 500 young judoka from 40 countries came together on the tatami, many of them experiencing that kind of global mix for the first time. Different styles, traditions and competitive habits met in one dojo, turning each session into something bigger than a standard camp workout.

The morning session was led by Orkhan Safarov of Azerbaijan and Jeremi Ježek of the Czech Republic. Both brought experience from the highest levels of international judo and used it to guide participants through more than technical details alone.

Their teaching focused on the kind of elements that often decide matches before a score is even made: movement patterns, tactical choices and the ability to read situations quickly. For the athletes on the mat, it was a chance to understand not just how to perform, but how elite judoka think.

In Fiesch, every training partner became a new judo lesson.

The afternoon moved into a demanding randori session, where the camp’s international character became even more important. With so many nationalities training together, each exchange forced athletes to adjust to unfamiliar gripping systems, different rhythms and contrasting tactical ideas.

That ability to adapt is one of the clearest themes of the camp. International competition rarely gives athletes the comfort of familiarity, and the sessions in Fiesch reflected that reality in a direct way. Young judoka were not simply practising attacks and reactions; they were learning how broad the sport can look from one opponent to the next.

In the evening, the focus shifted again with a kata session. After the intensity of randori, it was a reminder that strong judo foundations are built through precision, structure and respect for principle.

The balance between randori and kata gave the day a complete shape. One develops timing, adaptability and fighting spirit, while the other sharpens understanding and technical control. Together, they offered a fuller picture of what long-term progress in judo requires.

Randori tested adaptation, while kata brought the focus back to precision.

One of the strongest features of the IJF Youth Camp is the range of perspectives available to the participants. Throughout the week, world-class specialists, Olympic and world medallists and internationally respected athletes are set to share their own understanding of judo, each shaped by different cultures, careers and technical backgrounds.

That variety is what makes this environment stand out. Supported by the International Judo Federation and Olympic Solidarity, the camp is not only about physical preparation. It is also about tactical growth, technical development, cultural exchange and the kind of friendships that can stay with young athletes long after the final randori ends.

For the judoka in Fiesch, the value of the camp is already clear. High-performance judo is being discovered together, one session at a time.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation