Azerbaijani Delegation Takes Part in Judo Exchange Programme in Japan

A delegation comprising experts from the Education Department of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation and lecturers in the judo coaching programme at the Azerbaijan Sports Academy is taking part in an exchange programme in Japan, the birthplace of judo.

Led by Professor Mike Callan of the University of Hertfordshire and organised with the support of the JUDOs Association, the programme aims to provide participants with first-hand experience of Japan’s advanced judo education system, coaching methodologies and long-term athlete development model, while exploring opportunities to apply these practices in Azerbaijan.

As part of the visit, the delegation observed training sessions for junior and senior groups at Tokai University. In particular, the ne-waza sessions conducted under the supervision of head coach Riki Nakaya offered valuable practical insights for the participants.

The programme also included visits to several training centres to examine judo instruction across different age groups. At Asahi Dojo, the delegation observed classes for younger cadets; at Takanawadai School, they followed training sessions for adolescents; and at Taisei Judo Club, they studied programmes designed for preschool and primary school children, gaining insight into teaching methods used at the early stages of athlete development.

The delegation also attended a presentation and educational session at the All Japan Judo Federation dedicated to the long-term athlete development framework. The session covered age-appropriate stages of judoka development, training load planning and the principles of a systematic preparation model.

During the visit, the participants took part in randori sessions at the Kodokan and observed competitions, allowing them to experience Japan’s rich judo traditions and high-performance training system first-hand.

The knowledge gained through this exchange programme is expected to make a significant contribution to the further development of judo education and coaching in Azerbaijan, promote the adoption of international best practices and support the professional growth of coaches and educators.