The European Judo Union (EJU) places significant emphasis on fostering judo among young participants through its Judo for Children initiatives. Spearheading these efforts are Nuno Delgado, an Olympic medalist from Portugal, and Malte Geppert from Germany. Their leadership focuses on promoting judo’s core values and techniques to the younger generation, ensuring the sport’s growth and continuity.
In June 2023, during the EJU Judo Festival, Delgado and Geppert led workshops emphasising the development of judo for children. They highlighted areas for growth and introduced tools like the ‘Judo Ethical and Healthy Values: Judo for Children’ toolkit, aimed at enhancing the sport’s educational impact.
Judo is more than just a sport or martial art; it is a way of life guided by strong moral codes. Founded by Jigoro Kano, judo emphasises not only physical skill but also character development and ethical values. The Judo Moral Code consists of eight core principles: Courtesy, Courage, Friendship, Honesty, Honour, Modesty, Respect, and Self-Control. These values shape a judoka’s behavior both on and off the mat, fostering discipline, integrity, and mutual respect. By following these values, practitioners uphold the true spirit of judo, striving for self-improvement and contributing positively to society.
