Japan's junior judo programme turns to Europe this week. The All Japan Judo Federation has announced that seven female athletes will compete at the Prague Junior International Judo Tournament in the Czech Republic on 4 and 5 July.
The squad includes Tomoka Inoue and Sara Nagasato in +78 kg, Misuzu Katsumata and Kokoro Otawa in -78 kg, Chiharu Morino in -70 kg, Toa Orimo in -63 kg, and Miyu Wakabayashi in -48 kg.
The team is built mainly around university and high school athletes, giving a clear view of Japan's development pathway. Japan's senior team has just finished first on the medal table at the Qingdao Grand Prix with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Now the junior line moves into another overseas test, showing how Japan continues to develop depth across both senior and youth levels.
The Prague Junior event may not draw the same attention as the World Judo Tour, but it matters for young athletes. These competitions are not only about medals. They also help judoka adapt to different gripping styles, pacing and refereeing standards before they move fully into senior international judo.
Source: All Japan Judo Federation 2026 Czech Junior International Tournament information