World Judo Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
International Judo Federation primary sources verify the first World Judo Day on 28 October 2011, annual IJF stewardship and the October 28 Jigoro Kano birthday rationale.
About World Judo Day
World Judo Day is observed on October 28 as the International Judo Federation’s annual celebration of judo, its community and its values.
IJF history records that World Judo Day was first held in 2011 on October 28, a date the federation associates with judo founder Jigoro Kano.
Why World Judo Day matters
The observance gives clubs, federations and judoka a shared day to highlight judo’s educational values and community themes.
It is a sport-community observance, not a substitute for qualified coaching, safe training conditions or the rules of a particular federation or competition.
History of World Judo Day
The International Judo Federation was formed in 1951.
IJF’s official timeline says the first World Judo Day was held on October 28, 2011 and became an annual event.
IJF and Kodokan material explain the October 28 date through Jigoro Kano’s birthday as historically observed by Kano and the Kodokan.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Judo Federation (IJF)
IJF states that World Judo Day was launched in 2011 at the initiative of the International Judo Federation.
International Judo Federation (IJF)
IJF’s official timeline and news material identify the federation as establishing and organizing the observance.
First documented observance
IJF’s official timeline says World Judo Day was first held on 28 October 2011.
International Judo Federation (IJF)
IJF continues to organize World Judo Day annually and publish themes and participation material.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe World Judo Day
Join a recognised judo club or federation event focused on the year’s World Judo Day theme.
Learn about Jigoro Kano and judo history from IJF, Kodokan or other reputable institutional sources.
Use the day to discuss respect, friendship, self-control and other values emphasized within judo communities.
If trying judo for the first time, train under qualified supervision with appropriate mats, rules and safety practices.
Avoid copying throws, falls or holds from online descriptions without competent instruction and a safe training environment.
World Judo Day Facts
World Judo Day is observed on October 28.
IJF says the first World Judo Day was held in 2011.
The International Judo Federation is the current institutional organizer.
IJF ties October 28 to the birthday of judo founder Jigoro Kano.
The observance is not a worldwide statutory public holiday.
World Judo Day Messages
Happy World Judo Day to judoka, coaches, clubs and families celebrating the sport with respect and safety.
Wishing the judo community a meaningful World Judo Day grounded in courtesy, courage and mutual respect.
May World Judo Day encourage new learners to discover the sport through qualified, safe instruction.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
International Judo Federation — history timeline (opens in a new tab)
Sport Governing Body History
International Judo Federation — A Tree for Hope (opens in a new tab)
Sport Governing Body Origin
International Judo Federation — What really happened on 28th October? (opens in a new tab)
Sport Governing Body Date Rationale
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Judo Day?
28 October The documented recurrence rule is: 28 October.
Does World Judo Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Judo Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: International Judo Federation worldwide sport observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Judo Day?
The reviewed sources identify International Judo Federation (IJF) as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as International Judo Federation (IJF).
Is World Judo Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: International Judo Federation worldwide sport observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-04.
When is World Judo Day?
The International Judo Federation observes it on October 28.
When was the first World Judo Day?
IJF’s official history says it was first held on October 28, 2011.
Who organizes World Judo Day?
The International Judo Federation organizes the annual observance.
Why October 28?
IJF identifies October 28 with the birthday of judo founder Jigoro Kano, as historically observed by Kano and the Kodokan.
Is World Judo Day a day to learn techniques from text or videos alone?
No. Judo involves falls, throws, holds and physical contact, so practical training should use qualified supervision and an appropriate safe environment.
Other observances on October 28
These observances are also listed on October 28, 2027.
Independent Czechoslovak State Day
Czech Act No. 245/2000 currently lists 28 October, Den vzniku samostatného československého státu, as a state holiday; Czech MFA material anchors the date to the establishment of Czechoslov…
International Animation Day
ASIFA — International Animated Film Association
National First Responders Day
The U.S. Fire Administration recognizes 28 October as National First Responders Day; presidential proclamation records also use that date for national recognition.
“OHI” Day / 28 October anniversary
Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs