As part of the Olympic Dreams international sports camp project, young Ukrainian judokas from the cities of Bucha, Hostomel, Irpin and Chernihiv trained for almost a month with the best judo masters in Japan. 

This camp, the third since 2023, supported by Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, is unique in its programme. Thus, Ukrainian judokas had the honor to train with the best athletes of Japan in the heart of world judo - Kodokan Institute, Tenri University, Shutoku High School, and Adachi High school. In addition, the All Japan Judo Federation organised masterclasses by Japanese judo legends such as Kenzo Nakamura, Aaron Wolf and Joshiro Maruyama, Anai Takamasa, Ono Yoko and Miku Takaichi, while the physical training of the Ukrainian team was provided by Ono Yuki, the physical training coach of the Japanese national judo team.

The visit of the athletes ended with a traditional gala event with the participation of the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, the All Japan Judo Federation, the Japanese Olympic Committee, the Kodokan Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan Sports Agency, and other distinguished guests. 

In the photo from left to right: Oleksandra Novikova, Kenzo Nakamura, Anatoliy Boyko, Soya Nakazato, Karen Balaian, Oleksandra Starkova
 

Vice president of AJJF Soya Nakazato said: “We are proud to be able to support Ukrainian athletes in this difficult time. The exchange of experience and cultural interaction strengthens the friendship between our countries and contributes to the development of future champions. They have shown the strength of spirit that defies all odds.”

In the photo: Speech of Sergiy Korsunsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine Sergiy Korsunsky stated: “The Olympic Dreams project is the first sports project in Japan during the war, and I am glad that we were able to make it a systematic one. It allows athletes not only to gain skills and experience, but also to find support among friends around the world. We thank the Japanese people for their openness and compassion. This is a manifestation of solidarity and inspiration for our athletes in the most difficult times.”

During their stay in Japan, the Ukrainian athletes not only trained but also participated in Japanese cultural traditions, visited landmarks and met personally with the mayor of the city of Tenri and the president of Tenri University. 

In the photo: Anatoliy Boyko, initiator and patron of the Olympic Dreams project and Sergiy Korsunsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan

Anatoliy Boyko, the initiator and patron of the Olympic Dreams project, said: “This camp is already the third in Japan and the 16th since the launch of our project. After last year's camp in Japan, 11 new masters of sports of Ukraine and two international masters of sports in judo joined our team. During this time, the project participants have won over 100 medals at international tournaments and more than 1000 awards at national-level competitions in various sports. We are grateful to all our Japanese partners on behalf of the children, their parents, and the Ukrainian sports community for their support and assistance in implementing the project.”

During the gala event, the guests were shown the French documentary “Espoirs” featuring Ukrainian judoka Anastasiia Chyzhevska, which premiered in France on the eve of the Summer Olympics.

“When you know that even in times of war you can represent your country internationally and have the opportunity to train alongside the best in the world, it gives you the strength to fight and move forward,” Anastasiia Chyzhevska, a participant of the camp, shared her impressions.

As part of the mission to introduce the audience to the national cultural code, Ukrainian athletes traditionally demonstrate the author's embroidered shirts by THE SVOE brand.

The Olympic Dreams international sports camps project is implemented by the team of “The Future for Children” Charitable Foundation: Oleksandra Novikova, Karen Balaian and Oleksandra Starkova, with the support of philanthropist Anatoliy Boyko, for the third year in a row. 

The format of the sports camps has been successfully implemented in 7 countries. The project operates under memorandums with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the NOC of Ukraine in Kyiv Region, the Judo Federation of Ukraine, Ivan Piddubnyi Olympic College, the city councils of Irpin, Bucha and Hostomel and other international partners.

Photos: Olena Kushnarova

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