Thirty-one women from 15 countries gathered in Istanbul for the second IJF Academy All Women Practical Session, the International Judo Federation said. Held from 7 to 12 September, the week-long session combined technical learning with exchange and reflection, and was designed to strengthen women's places throughout the judo community.

The session paired the Academy's practical curriculum with discussions about the realities women experience in judo. Three WISH sessions brought those conversations directly into the dojo. WISH, the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway programme, supports women's development through learning, mentoring, leadership and international networks.

Dr Lisa Allan, IJF Secretary General, attended the opening day and welcomed the initiative. Any programme empowering women is a good one, she said, adding that the session showed it was needed and that the course was being led by strong, successful women.

For Dr Sanda Corak, head of the IJF Gender Equality Commission, the first all-women practical session had already shown the value of such a gathering. Together with Loredana Lascau, an IJF Sakura Programme expert, she led discussions on gender equality and on initiatives supporting women at every level of judo.

Dr Corak said that during the three days, participants discussed the main obstacles they might face and put forward suggestions. Loredana Lascau saw the Istanbul session as a continuation of the first edition, held in Rome in 2025, and said it would continue to strengthen opportunities for women to develop their knowledge, confidence and leadership.

The programme creates a bridge between the experience of the IOC WISH programme and the developing Sakura initiative, translating broader principles of women's development into a judo-specific educational context. Tutors introduced the Learn, Teach, Coach, Lead framework, exploring the different stages of a woman's development in judo.

For Veronique Akkermans of the Netherlands, one of the most experienced coaches in the group, the atmosphere was central to the experience. She said she was happy that the IJF Academy organised the all-women practical session, because that atmosphere of exchange was what she valued.

Carline Young, a coach from Ontario, Canada, highlighted the strength of the international exchange. Connecting with women from all over the world and hearing their perspectives was a unique and valuable experience, she said, and one of her personal goals is to help women and girls stay in judo and find their place.

Tina Trstenjak, Olympic and world champion and IJF Academy expert, concluded that having this dedicated space once a year gives them the opportunity to connect, learn from each other and discuss the challenges and opportunities for women. When women support and empower each other, she said, they create a stronger, more inclusive judo community and a stronger future for the sport.

Sources

International Judo Federation, 10 September 2026, by Nicolas Messner：

https://www.ijf.org/news/show/women-in-judo-find-their-voice-in-istanbul