According to the Telegram channel Akordy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to Marius Vizer for his contribution to the development and popularization of judo. He stated that this sport enjoys immense interest in Kazakhstan, particularly among children and youth.
"I believe that your visit is extremely important for giving impetus to mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and the federation. Today, judo holds a special place in the global sports community. In our country, judo is also very popular. Numerous sections and training centers operate, where over 160,000 adults and children practice judo.
"We are very proud that our athlete Yeldos Smetov won a gold medal at the recent Olympic Games in Paris. Therefore, we are very interested in developing contacts and more active cooperation with the International Judo Federation," - noted the Head of State.
Marius Vizer thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his personal support in the development of judo in Kazakhstan.
"It is a great honor for me to be here. I want to express my gratitude to you and Kazakhstan for the support you provide not only to judo but to the entire sports movement, which today is one of the instruments of education, social integration, and a factor for peace. All members of our judo family are united and strive for one goal - to nurture and better integrate a worthy person into society," - said Marius Vizer.
He announced that an IJF Academy is planned to be opened in Astana with the support of the International Judo Federation, which will become one of the centers for training high-class coaches and referees in the region.
The participants of the meeting exchanged views on the prospects for long-term cooperation between Kazakhstan and the International Judo Federation, as well as discussed preparations for the World Judo Championship, which will take place in 2027 in our country.
In conclusion, the head of state awarded Marius Vizer the "Dostyk" Order of II degree for his contribution to the promotion of judo in Kazakhstan.
The website of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan states that Marius Vizer was born in 1958 in Austria. From 1982 to 1985, he worked as a judo coach, and since 2007, he has been the president of the International Judo Federation.
It was previously reported that Kazakhstan has been chosen as the host for the judo world championship, which will take place in 2027. It was noted that our country has already hosted the world championship for the best judokas on the planet. In 2015, the world championship was held in Astana, where Olympic champion 2024 Yeldos Smetov brought home a gold medal.
Additionally, judo athlete Yeldos Smetov won gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In the final, the athlete triumphed over Frenchman Luka Mchedlidze in the weight category up to 60 kilograms.
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