Official Opening Ceremony of Baku 2026 World Judo Championships Held at National Gymnastics Arena

The official opening ceremony of the Baku 2026 World Judo Championships took place on 5 October at the National Gymnastics Arena.

The ceremony began with a video presentation highlighting the development of judo and the achievements of the sport over the years.

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) President Rashad Nabiyev expressed his pleasure at welcoming the international judo family to Baku once again. He emphasized that judo is more than just a sport, describing it as a philosophy that embodies values such as self-discipline, courage and friendship.

Rashad Nabiyev highlighted the strong government support for sport in Azerbaijan, particularly the development of judo, noting that the country has become one of the leading destinations for major international sporting events.

The AJF President described Baku's selection as host of the World Judo Championships once again as a reflection of the international confidence placed in Azerbaijani judo. He expressed his gratitude to the International Judo Federation and personally to its President, Marius Vizer, for their trust and support.

He also stressed that one of the Federation's key objectives is to contribute to raising a healthy and responsible younger generation through judo, and wished all participating athletes and coaches success at the Championships.

International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer expressed his appreciation for the support provided to sport in Azerbaijan and the organization of the World Championships. He highlighted the achievements of Azerbaijani judo in recent years, as well as the country's extensive experience in hosting major international sporting events.

Marius Vizer emphasized that judo promotes the values of unity, friendship and peace.

He then officially declared the Baku 2026 World Judo Championships open.

Following the official proceedings, the ceremony continued with an artistic programme. A parade of flags representing the participating nations took place, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the anthem of the International Judo Federation were performed.

The artistic programme was built around a special concept reflecting judo's journey from its birthplace in Japan to Azerbaijan, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of both countries.

Beginning with sakura-inspired imagery, the performance depicted the spread of judo from Japan to the rest of the world through a combination of stage performances and visual effects.

The segment dedicated to Azerbaijani culture brought together traditional carpet patterns, music and dance, blending them with contemporary ethno-jazz and visual effects.

The programme concluded with the formation of the official Baku 2026 logo against a backdrop of flame motifs symbolizing Azerbaijan.