The ongoing unrest in the middle-east caused by the USA invasion of Iran has resulted in the change of venue of the World Juniors Judo Individuals and Mixed Teams Championships.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has confirmed the cancellation of the championships originally scheduled to take place from 22nd to 25th October in Amman, Jordan and the decision to host the tournament in Tashkent instead.
The IJF said that the decision was made in light of the evolving situation across the wider region.
“While preparations had been progressing in a positive and collaborative spirit, current uncertainties affecting international travel, logistics and overall event conditions have led the IJF to conclude that postponement is the most appropriate course of action at this time,” said the statement from the IJF.
It said that the safety and wellbeing of athletes, officials and all stakeholders remained the federation’s highest priority to ensure that events can be delivered in a secure, accessible and stable environment is essential to maintaining the integrity and standards of international judo competition.
The IJF confirmed that the championships Juniors will now take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 19th to 22nd November 2026.
“This swift transition has been made possible thanks to the outstanding responsiveness and commitment of the Uzbek Judo Federation, together with the strong support of national authorities. Their readiness to step in at short notice ensures that the world’s leading junior athletes will retain the opportunity to compete in the flagship event of their season,” said the statement from IJF
The IJF has expressed its sincere appreciation for this proactive approach, which reflects both the growing importance of Uzbekistan within the global judo community and its proven capacity to host major international events at the highest level.
The federation has also extended its gratitude to the Jordanian Judo Federation and local organisers for their professionalism and dedication throughout the planning process. The selection of Amman as host city reflected full confidence in their organisational capabilities and that confidence remains unchanged.
Although championships will no longer take place in Amman in 2026, the IJF underlined its continued commitment to its partnership with Jordan. Discussions are ongoing regarding future opportunities, including the possibility of hosting a rescheduled edition of the championships or other IJF events in the coming years.
