A New Judo Home Takes Shape in Lausanne

The inaugural Ecole Mont-Olivet Lausanne Grand Slam has put Lausanne firmly on the World Judo Tour map. Across three days at the Vaudoise Arena, elite judo shared the spotlight with adapted judo and deaf judo in an event built around inclusion, respect and a common love of the tatami.

A total of 513 judoka from 77 nations took part, giving the new Grand Slam an immediately deep and demanding field. Russia led the medal table ahead of Japan and Germany, while Georgia, France, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Israel, Kazakhstan and Poland also secured gold medals. The results underlined the event’s international level from its very first edition.

For many leading athletes, Lausanne arrived at an important point in the season. With the World Judo Championships in Baku only weeks away, the tournament offered a valuable chance to assess preparation, gain momentum and deliver a final competitive signal before the major individual event of the year.

Lausanne brought elite, adapted and deaf judo together on the same stage.

The sporting action was only one part of the story. The opening ceremony set a clear tone through messages of transmission, mutual respect and inclusion. Rather than presenting separate competitions, the Lausanne event created a shared environment in which mainstream athletes, adapted judoka and deaf judoka all had their place.

Swiss Judo President Sergei Aschwanden described the first edition as a real success. More than 12,500 of the 15,000 available tickets were sold, while the Grand Slam also drew international and local media attention. For a debut event, those figures reflected strong interest in judo in the Olympic Capital.

The project depended on a broad local and international effort. Volunteers, the Canton of Vaud, the City of Lausanne, event partners and Ecole Mont-Olivet contributed to delivering the competition, alongside the International Judo Federation’s involvement during preparations.

The first Grand Slam has opened a longer judo journey for the Olympic Capital.

Lausanne now has an even bigger destination ahead. In 2028, the city will host the World Judo Championships, returning 55 years after Lausanne last welcomed the event in 1973. This first Grand Slam did more than complete a successful weekend: it offered an early sign that Lausanne is ready to play a major role in judo’s future.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation