World Judo Day was celebrated in Guwahati on Wednesday through a series of programmes highlighting the values of inclusion, discipline and sportsmanship associated with the martial art.
The day is observed globally on October 28 to mark the birth anniversary of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. The International Judo Federation (IJF) has been commemorating the occasion annually, with the 2026 theme being “Belonging”, aimed at fostering an environment where every judoka feels recognised, respected and welcomed.
The celebrations in Guwahati began in the morning at Satgaon, where a special programme was organised for visually impaired judo students. The event was marked by a cake-cutting ceremony, and judo uniforms were distributed to ten visually impaired judokas.
In the evening, another programme was held at Bengali High School in Paltan Bazar. The event was attended by international judo referee Abhijit Das, singer Debipriya Bandyopadhyay and teacher Anuradha Patra, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Abhijit Das said judo is much more than a martial art or a competitive sport. He emphasised that the discipline teaches respect, self-control, discipline and mutual cooperation, and urged judokas to focus on human and moral values alongside technical skills and physical strength.
The organisers said this year’s theme reflects the spirit of inclusivity and community that lies at the heart of judo, encouraging athletes from all backgrounds and abilities to feel part of a larger family.
As part of the extended celebrations, another World Judo Day programme involving visually impaired judokas will be organised on Thursday at Moran in Dibrugarh district. The event is expected to further promote the message of inclusion and equal opportunities through sport.
