The Special Olympics Judo Open Sarajevo 2026 brought together 130 judokas with intellectual disabilities from 18 countries between 23 and 26 September at Hotel Hills Arena in the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Jointly hosted by Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE), Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina (SO BiH), the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event welcomed judokas across all ability levels.
Taking place between the IJF World Veterans and the World Kata Championships, the Special Olympics Judo Open Sarajevo 2026 marked a historic milestone for adaptive judo globally.
“For the first time, judokas with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to compete on such a prominent platform, between two major world championships hosted by the International Judo Federation,” said Miroslaw Krogulec, SOEE Vice President for Sport.
“This milestone is particularly significant given the continued growth of Special Olympics judo, which now engages 11,700 athletes across 50 countries worldwide. Judo develops motor skills while promoting respect, inclusion and personal development, values that closely align with those of Special Olympics.”
The event was also particularly significant for Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the country’s first Special Olympics international event of this scale in 20 years.
“We are proud to host our first major international Special Olympics event since the Southeast European Friendship Games in 2004. This is more than a competition: it brings international Special Olympics sport and its message of inclusion back to Bosnia and Herzegovina on a major scale,” commented Kada Delic Selimovic, SO BiH National Director.
“Seeing the judokas compete with such determination, and the excited buzz of the Opening Ceremony make the commitment of our team worthwhile. We are delighted to contribute our time, expertise and resources to give athletes the best possible experience and to showcase all that Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina has to offer.”
The Opening Ceremony set the tone for the competition, featuring a parade of 21 judo clubs and an engaging dance performance. Kada Delic Selimovic and Miroslaw Krogulec then welcomed participants before Special Olympics Switzerland judoka Tim Burkhart recited the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, officially opening the competition.
Following the Opening Ceremony, judokas of all ability levels kicked off the competition across 31 groups.
Johanna Wohlfahrt, judoka from Special Olympics Germany, has trained in judo for two years and has already competed in three international tournaments. Even with that experience, she said the event in Sarajevo felt uniquely special. “It was a very emotional experience. The Opening Ceremony was so cool: it was amazing to parade into the hall, just like they do at professional tournaments!”
On the second day, eight pairs of judokas, with and without intellectual disabilities, took to the tatami for the Kata competition, demonstrating their technique and bringing the event to a fitting close. Their performance took place at the same time as the IJF World Kata Championships, with Special Olympics judokas performing their kata on the tatami next to the world’s best.
The event’s high standards were supported by the expertise of Special Olympics professionals and the International Judo Federation, which provided technical assistance, visibility and worked with Special Olympics to appoint international judges for the tournament.
“The event is the perfect illustration of what judo is all about: it is a big family where everyone has their place, no matter what the differences are,” said Nicolas Messner, Media and Judo for Peace Director at the International Judo Federation.
“Today we had beautiful judo, but beyond that we had an amazing and warm atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.”
