Olympic champions inspire nostalgia as China hosts the World Judo Tour again after six years.

After six years, the World Judo Tour has returned to China. The Qingdao Grand Prix opened on Thursday, September 25, with a ceremony at the Conson Hotel.

Xin Zhang, Deputy Director of Qingdao Sports, delivered a detailed address and expressed deep gratitude to the International Judo Federation for bringing the Grand Prix back to the city.

The three-day competition is being staged at Qingdao’s Conson Stadium. Among the international officials attending are Mohammed Meridja, IJF Education and Coaching Director, Vladimir Barta, IJF Head Sport Director, and Raul Camacho, IJF Refereeing Commission Director. Also present are Ming Ye, Secretary of the Qingdao Party Committee and head of the Qingdao Sports Development Group, and Miao Gao, Secretary-General of the Chinese Judo Association.

Raul Camacho, IJF Refereeing Director

At the ceremony, Camacho stressed the importance of Qingdao hosting the event after a six-year break. He said the IJF was committed to fair play and had assembled fifteen of the world’s top referees, along with three supervisors and two refereeing directors. The IJF Refereeing Commission is prepared to review match footage and ensure transparent decisions throughout the competition.

Judo’s roots in China stretch back to the 1930s. The Chinese Judo Association was officially established in December 1979, recognized by the All China Sports Federation, and soon after joined the IJF.

China’s proudest Olympic moments in the sport came from Xian Dongmei and Tong Wen, who won gold in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Their legacy gives the return of the Qingdao Grand Prix a nostalgic feel, while also offering today’s Chinese judokas and coaches a valuable chance to test themselves against international rivals and embrace the sport’s latest developments.

Vladimir Barta, IJF Sport Director

China has become a major player in the global sports industry. Strong state investment in Olympic sports and a growing appetite for hosting major events make it one of the world’s largest markets. With a population of 1.4 billion, the country represents both a vast fan base and a deep reservoir of talent.

Although judo is less prominent than traditional martial arts such as wushu, staging IJF events gives the sport new momentum. The General Administration of Sport of China continues to back Olympic disciplines with funding, training centers, and professional coaching systems. Judo is part of this official structure.

The country also boasts modern multi-purpose arenas in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing and Shenzhen, venues well suited to staging international competitions.