Tokyo's Value as a Host City Demonstrated Through East Asia's First IBSA Grand Prix

The IBSA Judo Grand Prix is one of the most important international competitions in blind judo, surpassed only by the Paralympic Games and the IBSA World Games in scale and prestige.
The 2023 edition attracted particular attention as it was held jointly with the 2023 Tokyo Grand Slam, a major international judo tournament for non-disabled athletes. This first-ever East Asian edition was more than a milestone: it clearly demonstrated that Tokyo is a city trusted to deliver international sporting events safely, smoothly and at the highest standard.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium: A Venue Combining Accessibility and Functionality

With the joint hosting confirmed, the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium was selected as the venue. The facility underwent extensive accessibility upgrades ahead of the Tokyo 2020. New entrance ramps, FM hearing support system and other improvements created an environment that can meet the diverse needs of visitors.
Sato recalls: "The Gymnasium is located in the centre of Tokyo and incredibly easy to reach. It was an excellent venue, even for athletes with visual impairments." In international competitions, "venue usability" is not just about operations. It directly affects whether athletes can focus fully on their performance.

Creating the Best Conditions for Athletes

International competitions are assessed on more than just state-of-the-art facilities. The quality of the tatami mats is essential for both safety and performance. Sato explains: "In some overseas competitions, tatami mats can be too hard or too soft, making it difficult for athletes to maintain stable footing. Japan's high-quality tatami mats directly enhance the safety of athletes and the quality of matches."
In addition to reliably ensuring fundamental quality standards, the event was marked by Japan's strong public safety, an environment that allowed athletes to concentrate on competition, and meticulous event management guided by the spirit of omotenashi, Japan's traditional hospitality. The president of the IBSA praised it as "an outstanding competition."

Turning Ambition into Reality – Tokyo's Strength as a Host City

The Tokyo edition was also successful in attracting fans. Many visitors came with the thought that "if it's in Tokyo, I can go and watch." This heightened awareness of blind judo and helped expand the fan base.
At the same time, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's International Sports Events Support Programme was a major factor in making the competition possible. Sato stresses the importance of government support, pointing out that "an international competition requires a huge budget. Without this support, it would have been very difficult to make it happen."
Having a system that transforms "we want to" into "we can" is one of Tokyo's greatest strengths as a host city.

Boosting Awareness of Kunde Judo

One of the highlights of the joint event was the introduction of “kunde judo”, a style that allows athletes with and without visual impairments to compete together and starts from a grip position. This format had rarely been seen by general audiences. Sato says that performing kunde judo in front of packed stands created a valuable opportunity for many spectators to discover the sport.
The joint events were not simply held at the same time. They were designed to transcend the boundaries of competition, expand the audience, and allow spectators to experience the value of inclusion. This symbolic setting showed how the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games is evolving into new initiatives.

“Once again, in Tokyo”

More than two years after the event, international federations continue to express a desire to bring the event back to Tokyo.
"Judo is a Japanese sport. Our desire to hold a tournament in Tokyo, the home of the sport, remains unchanged. Building on the city's strong track record, we have earned the trust that ‘if it's in Tokyo, it will succeed’.”
Through the promotion of kunde judo, world-class event delivery, and proven hosting experience, Tokyo has left a lasting impact that supports the future growth of the sport.

(Profile)
Sato Masaya
Senior Managing Director of the Japan Blind Judo Federation, Masaya Sato served as a Head of Performance and a Head of Coach at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has been Senior Managing Director since 2021. He has worked to popularise kunde judo while serving as a teacher at the Mie Prefectural School for the Deaf.