From New Beginnings to Global Competition – The Story of Virtus Judo

As Virtus celebrates its 40th anniversary, the growth of judo reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to expanding opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability across new and evolving sports.  

Although officially added to the Virtus programme in 2020, the foundations of Virtus Judo were built years earlier through international collaboration, athlete advocacy and a shared vision for greater inclusion within one of the world’s most widely practised martial arts.    

The Growth of Virtus Judo internationally 

For athletes with an intellectual disability, structured international judo opportunities began to emerge in 2017.  That year, the first World Championships for athletes with an intellectual disability were held in Cologne, Germany, with support from the International Judo Federation. This milestone was followed by the first European Championships in London in 2018, supported by the European Judo Union.  

These early events represented an important breakthrough in the recognition of athletes with an intellectual disability within the international judo community.  

A new common judo rulebook for athletes with an intellectual impairment was adopted in 2019, which was developed in collaboration with EJU, IJF and Virtus, ensuring athletes are prepared for all events. One year later, in 2020, judo officially became part of the Virtus sports programme – marking the beginning of a new era for inclusive judo. 

Following extensive research and development, the II2 class for athletes with an intellectual disability and significant additional impairments became a full medal event at the Brisbane 2019 Global Games, followed by the II3 class for athletes with autism at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France. 

Virtus Judo reached historic milestone at the 2023 Virtus Global Games, in Vichy, France, where the sport made its official debut on the Global Games stage. The inclusion of judo at the Global Games represented a significant achievement for athletes, coaches and organisers who had worked to develop international pathways for the sport.  

Athletes from multiple nations competed in an environment that celebrated not only performance and competition, but also the values that define judo itself – respect, discipline and mutual understanding.   

Mae Yamazaki (JPN), Nikki McDermott (GBR), Joshuha Hodkinson (GBR), Liam Hudson (AUS), Liszcz Marcin (POL), Lesley Ijerman (NED) and Ifeanyi Oguejiofor (FRA) in II1 are some of the big names who are making waves around the world.

Victor Gdowczok (GER) and Marcin Liszcz (POL) in the II2 category and  Great Britain’s Idris Khan in the II3 category are some of the athletes who are leaving their mark in Virtus Judo history and international competition. 

Virtus has also sanctioned the 2026 Lausanne Grand Slam, Switzerland, the first inclusive Judo Grand Slam, which will be held from 28-30 August. Organised by the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the Swiss Judo Federation (SJV) in partnership with the European Judo Union (EJU), athletes with an intellectual impairment will also be able to compete in this event, rewriting the history of inclusive judo.

Looking Ahead    

In just a few years, Virtus Judo has evolved from an emerging concept into a recognised international discipline with world championships, continental events and Global Games competition.  

As Virtus celebrates 40 years of progress in inclusive sport, the continued growth of judo represents the organisation’s vision for the future – creating more pathways, more representation and more opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairments to succeed at the highest level.  

This remarkable journey has only been possible through the dedication of athletes, coaches, technical officials, volunteers, member organisations and the Virtus Judo Committee, whose passion and commitment have shaped the programme over the past four decades.

If you know someone with an intellectual disability or autism who would like to compete in the Virtus Judo programme, encourage them to contact their national Virtus member organisation, apply for eligibility and begin their journey towards international competition – including the Virtus Global Games Cairo 2027. 

Virtus Judo continues to prove that sport is not only about winning medals, but also about building confidence, respect and community across the world.