A Two-Island Judo Day Marks a Big Step Forward in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe used judo to mark a national moment in a meaningful way. On 11 July, the Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe Association organised the 2026 Independence Open, bringing athletes together across both islands and showing how the sport is continuing to grow in the country.

What made this event stand out was its two-site format. The competition was held at the same time at the Combat Sports Training Centre on the island of São Tomé and at the Judo Global Headquarters on the island of Príncipe, allowing judoka from both islands to compete on the same day.

That approach said a lot about the direction of judo in the nation. Rather than keeping opportunities centred in one place, the association used the event to widen access and give more young people the chance to take part. It was a practical step toward making judo more available across the whole country.

One of the most important moments came from Príncipe Island, where athletes from the Ponta do Sol Judo School made their competition debut. Their presence was more than just a first appearance on the tatami. It marked another stage in the spread of judo into local communities and showed the determination to create chances for children and young people wherever they live.

A debut on the tatami became a sign of judo’s reach growing wider.

The Independence Open was also about more than results. It reflected the values that sit at the core of judo: respect, courage, friendship, discipline and perseverance. In that sense, the event connected national celebration with the deeper purpose of the sport.

For the association, that mission is clear. It continues to present judo not only as competition, but also as a tool for education, social inclusion and personal development, while encouraging healthy lifestyles throughout São Tomé and Príncipe.

Association President André Mendes Rosa highlighted what the day represented for the country’s judo community. He pointed to the steady growth of the sport, the encouraging increase in girls taking part in competitions, the arrival of new judo schools on the competitive calendar and the importance of giving young people from different communities the same opportunities.

His comments captured the wider feeling around the event. This was not simply a celebration for one day, but part of a longer project to build a stronger and more inclusive judo culture across every part of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The 2026 Independence Open was organised with support from the International Judo Federation, the Faya Foundation and the Regional Government of Príncipe, along with in-kind contributions from local partners. Their backing helped make the competition possible and added weight to an event that reflected both national pride and steady sporting progress.

This was independence celebrated through access, inclusion and youth opportunity.

In a country spread across two islands, that kind of shared judo day felt especially powerful. Quietly but clearly, the message was simple: the sport is moving forward, and it is reaching more people.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation