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The Fudoshin Judo Club brought together Guam’s judokas to celebrate World Judo Day on Oct. 28 at their training facility in Tamuning. Whether just beginning their journey or practicing for decades, judokas came together on the mat for a shared purpose, a living example of judo’s power to unite generations. “We wanted to embody the true essence of judo, not just as a martial art, but as a philosophy of connection, respect, and solidarity,” the Fudoshin Judo Club said in a media release. The annual World Judo Day, established by the International Judo Federation, honors the birthday of Sensei Jigoro Kano, the founder of modern-day judo. This year’s global theme, “Peace, Unity, and Friendship,” inspired the Fudoshin Judo Club to extend an open invitation to all judo programs across Guam for a joint training session. The goal was to bring together the island’s judo community in a spirit of harmony, mutual respect, and shared dedication to the art. The celebration on Guam echoed the message delivered by International Judo Federation president Marius L. Vizer, who emphasized the broader significance of World Judo Day. “Judo teaches us to fall and rise again, to face challenges with courage and to respect our opponents. By embracing its values, we all become ambassadors of peace and harmony, within society and with nature itself,” Vizer said. The Fudoshin Judo Club said it embraces this vision wholeheartedly, reinforcing their commitment to using judo as a path to building bridges in the community, from the youngest white belts to the most experienced black belts. Judokans of all ages One of the most inspiring aspects of the Oct. 28 event was the wide age range of participants, with the youngest judoka being just 4 years old, and the oldest over 60. The remarkable diversity reflected judo’s broad appeal and inclusiveness as a discipline that welcomes individuals of all ages and walks of life, the club said. At the heart of the event was a shared mission to instill in every participant, especially the youth, the understanding that judo is more than just a sport. Fudoshin Judo Club encouraged each judoka to reflect on their individual role in building a more peaceful and respectful world. The club emphasized that peace begins with small actions, a bow on the mat, a hand extended to help an opponent, or a message of encouragement. These gestures, rooted in the judo philosophy, contribute to greater understanding, respect, and personal growth in daily life. “Every bow, throw, and handshake was a step towards a more peaceful world. Our mission was to help all participants see that judo is a way of life, a tool for improving health, building character, and promoting harmony within communities,” the Fudoshin Judo Club said. ‘Peace Wall’ As part of the celebration, the Fudoshin Judo Club unveiled a “Peace Wall,” a creative and symbolic installation where every participant was invited to sign their name and write a personal message inspired by the theme of peace, unity, and friendship. This wall became a powerful visual expression of judo’s values, filled with handwritten notes about kindness, sportsmanship and the power of togetherness. “The Peace Wall captured the spirit of World Judo Day in a way that words alone could not,” the club said. “It showed us that everyone, from children to seasoned black belts, has something valuable to contribute to the message of peace.” To commemorate their participation and commitment, all attendees received official diplomas. The certificates recognized not only their involvement in World Judo Day, but also their dedication to the values of peace, unity, respect, and self-betterment through the discipline of judo, the club said. The Fudoshin Judo Club thanks the participating clubs, athletes, families, and volunteers who made the event a success. International stage The Fudoshin Judo Club said it is committed to promoting traditional judo values through expert instruction, youth engagement, and community outreach. One of its key objectives is to develop judokas who can proudly represent Guam on the international stage while living out judo’s deeper philosophy in everyday life. The dojo is located on the 2nd floor of the MVPangilinan Building at 868 North Marine Corps Drive, 96913 Tamuning, and welcomes judokas of all ages and experience levels.
