The 2018 World Judo Masters were held at the Guangzhou Gymnasium.

　　From December 15 to 16, the World Judo Masters were held at the Guangzhou Gymnasium. This event is the third-largest international top-level judo competition, following the Olympic Games and the World Championships. It is organized by the Chinese Judo Association and hosted by the Guangzhou Judo Association.

　　Leaders and guests including Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation; Gao Zhidan, Deputy Director-General of the General Administration of Sport of China; Zhou Jinqiang, Director of the Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Judo Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China; Xu Xianghong, Deputy Director of the Office of the General Administration of Sport of China; Wang Yuping, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau; and Xian Dongmei, President of the Chinese Judo Association, attended the event in person to watch the finals. Fujian WESING Sporting Goods Co., Ltd., as a sponsor of the Chinese Judo Association, also participated in this event.

　　Director Zhou Jinqiang (far left), along with other leaders and guests from the National Sports Administration’s Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Judo Sports Management Center, presented awards to the athletes.

　　This event is not only one of the world’s highest-level judo competitions but also a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The competition features 14 weight classes for both men and women, attracting over 200 athletes from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, Russia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, Italy, and Uzbekistan. This marks the first time the World Judo Masters has been held in China. Xian Dongmei, President of the Chinese Judo Association, expressed her hope that this competition will serve as an opportunity to further popularize and promote judo, thereby driving China’s judo program toward even greater achievements.

　　Xian Dongmei, President of the Chinese Judo Association, accepts an interview with a reporter.

　　On the 16th, the two-day 2018 World Judo Masters came to a close, awarding a total of 7 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals. Each Chinese athlete competed in one event, but none made it into the semifinals. Nevertheless, the young Chinese athletes’ courageous fighting spirit and unwavering perseverance won enthusiastic applause from the entire audience! The International Judo Federation, the Chinese Judo Association, as well as referees, coaches, and athletes from around the world, all gave high praise and recognition to this competition.

　　Deputy Director Xu Jianping (second from right) of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau and other leaders and guests present awards to the athletes.

　　Exciting moments from the Chinese young athletes' competition

　　On December 12, Fujian WESING Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. signed an agreement with the Chinese Judo Association to become its sponsor and equipment supplier for the 2019-2021 period. As a leading Chinese manufacturer of sports equipment, WESING will seize the opportunity presented by its partnership with the Chinese Judo Association in the new year, continuously enhancing its technological innovation capabilities, elevating the technological content of its products, actively responding to the association’s reforms in competition formats, and participating enthusiastically in both domestic and international competitions. In doing so, WESING will help propel China’s judo program toward even greater achievements and contribute its part to preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.