The IJF flag changed hands in Baku on 10 October, the last day of individual competition at the 2026 World Judo Championships, in a ceremony that passed responsibility for the championships from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan.
Who handed the flag to whom
The flag was lowered by military personnel in the arena, folded and carried to the stage. Azerbaijan Judo Federation Vice President Elnur Mammadli returned it to IJF Secretary General Dr Lisa Allan, who passed it to Kazakhstan Judo Federation President Kuanyshbek Yesskeyev.
Astana 2027
The 2027 World Judo Championships will be held in Astana. Kazakhstan hosted the championships once before, in 2015, and the ceremony closed with a preview film for the next edition.
The Baku championships ran from 4 to 11 October, with seven days of individual competition followed by the mixed team event on the closing day.
