Egypt has launched its first national beach judo event in a move aimed at revitalising interest in the sport and attracting a new generation of athletes. Organised by the Egyptian Judo Federation, the inaugural “Judo on the Beach” was held in July 2025 in the modern Mediterranean city of New Alamein, drawing more than 350 young participants from across the country.

The four-day event brought together athletes, spectators, and international coaches in a unique open-air setting designed to merge sport with leisure. Training sessions and demonstrations were led by Olympic silver medallist Hiroshi Izumi of Japan and European champion Sugoi Uriarte of Spain, both of whom praised the initiative for its inclusive and forward-thinking approach.

“This project is about more than sport, it’s about community, accessibility, and rethinking how judo can be practiced and enjoyed,” said Mohamed Moutii, President of the Egyptian Judo Federation. “By bringing judo to the beach, we are opening the door to hundreds of young people who may never have walked into a dojo.”

Following the success of the New Alamein event, the federation has announced a second edition scheduled for the winter of 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort city known for hosting major international conferences and sporting events.

Although the beach format is new, Egypt’s ties to judo run deep. The sport was introduced to the country in the 1950s, largely through returning students and military officers. By the 1960s, Egypt had established a national federation and joined both the International Judo Federation and the African Judo Union.

Since then, Egypt has become a dominant force in African judo. The country regularly finishes among the top medal winners at the African Judo Championships and the African Games. Prominent Egyptian judoka such as Islam El Shehaby and Ramadan Darwish have represented the country on the world stage, while younger talents like Mohamed Abdelmaaty and Nehala Shahat signal a strong pipeline of future contenders.

Local sports institutions and national training centres have played a crucial role in developing judo at the grassroots level, supported by government-backed programmes.

The beach judo initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the sport’s appeal in line with Egypt’s growing investment in youth engagement and tourism. With its long coastlines and favourable weather, the country is uniquely positioned to pioneer this format in the region.

What began as an experiment in New Alamein may soon become a fixture on Egypt’s sporting calendar and a model for how martial arts can evolve while staying true to their roots.