Ylenia Scapin Brings a Lasting Judo Message to Young Athletes in Kocaeli

Ylenia Scapin was one of the standout figures at the Kocaeli Judo Hopes Tournament 2026, where competition met education for young judoka. In Kocaeli, the event gave U14 and U16 athletes not only matches on the tatami, but also direct access to high-level Judo knowledge.

As summer began and schools closed across much of Europe, hundreds of young athletes travelled to Kocaeli for an experience that went beyond chasing medals. The tournament combined sporting action with an intensive technical education programme, creating an environment where learning mattered just as much as results.

That balance was strengthened by the presence of two major names: Italy’s Ylenia Scapin, a double Olympic medallist, and Kodokan expert Ryunosuke Haga. Through technical sessions, demonstrations and conversations, both helped turn the event into something deeper than a standard youth competition.

For Scapin, the role felt especially meaningful. The Italian represented her country at four Olympic Games and also competed at multiple World and European Championships, giving her a rare perspective on the demands of elite Judo over time. That experience made her message to the next generation feel grounded, simple and honest.

Rather than focusing first on podiums, Scapin pointed to something more durable. She said that when athletes practise Judo because they truly love it, the sport can remain part of their lives for many years. In contrast, pursuing it only for medals may bring fast success, but sustaining that success over a longer period becomes much harder.

It was a powerful idea to deliver at an event built around young age groups still shaping their relationship with the sport. For many in attendance, the technical drills and demonstrations were important, but so was hearing from someone who has lived through nearly every level of international competition.

In Kocaeli, the lesson was bigger than the result sheet.

Scapin’s presence also gave the tournament a strong European connection. As one of Italy’s most accomplished judoka, she brought credibility and warmth to a setting designed to inspire athletes at the beginning of their journey. Her advice did not dismiss ambition, but it clearly placed passion at the centre of long-term development.

That may be what made the moment resonate. In a youth tournament environment, where excitement and pressure often sit side by side, the reminder that Judo can be a lifelong path felt especially relevant.

In Kocaeli, the next generation came to compete. They also left with something harder to measure and possibly more valuable: a vision of Judo that lasts beyond a single weekend, a single medal, or a single age category.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union