Chinese Judokas Excel at 2025 International Russo Judo Grand Prix in Qingdao

QINGDAO, China – The 2025 International Russo Judo Grand Prix wrapped up in Qingdao with resounding success, witnessing impressive performances from the Chinese judo team and widespread praise for the event’s organization. The team claimed a total of 1 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, with promising displays from young athletes.

Chinese Judoka Delight in Qingdao

The Chinese judo team made a strong showing at the prestigious international event, which gathered over 200 competitors from 26 countries across five continents. Some notable performances included:

• Zhuang Wenna made history by winning the first gold medal for China in the women’s -48kg category. The Qingdao native defeated world No. 5 Frenchwoman Amandine Buchard in the final after her opponent was disqualified for an illegal move.
• In the women’s -57kg division, Zhou Jia clinched silver after a hard-fought loss to world No. 4 Japanese star Tamaki Tamaki in the final.
• Chinese men secured their first medal at the event when Chaxinglong captured silver in the -81kg category, falling short to Japan’s Hiroto Hojo in the final.
• Other Chinese judokas taking bronze included Feng Yingying (-70kg), Li Haiyang (+100kg), and Liang Ye (+78kg).

The Chinese team’s performance demonstrated their tenacity and hard work, boding well for future international competitions. “We’ve not only achieved our training goals but also showcased the potential of our young judo players,” said a delighted Coach Li.

Praise for Qingdao’s Event Organization

The International Judo Federation (IJF) President, Marius Vizer, heaped praise on Qingdao’s organizational efforts: “The event was organized quite well. We look forward to working together to push the event level even higher in the future.”

Qingdao spared no effort in ensuring a memorable experience for athletes and fans. The city upgrade its venue with advanced lighting, audio systems, and full-color screens, providing an unparalleled visual experience. Moreover, the event organizing committee provided top-notch competition services, including dedicated housekeepers and nearly 400 volunteers supporting nearly 400 athletes, coaches, and officials.

The opening ceremony was great – simple, warm, and charming. I really liked it.

Sports and Culture Integration in Qingdao

Qingdao’s hosting of such high-caliber events not only boosts the city’s global profile but also fosters cultural exchange. The 2025 International Russo Judo Grand Prix further cemented Qingdao’s reputation as a “Judo City”, following on from the bronze-medal performance of Shandong athlete Ma Zhenzhao at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The event’s theme, “Get friends with softness and enquire about mountains and seas”, emphasized the importance of sports diplomacy and the beauty of judo, a martial art that epitomizes the philosophy of softness overcoming hardness. Beyond the competition, Qingdao leveraged the event to drive tourism and boost local consumption, with over 10,000 judo enthusiasts attending and tens of millions of yuan in economic impact.

Looking Ahead

The successful hosting of the 2025 International Russo Judo Grand Prix has once again showcased Qingdao’s prowess in high-level event management. As the city continues to develop its judo projects and welcome international competitions, it looks forward to strengthening ties with the international judo community and further enhancing its urban influence.

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