On March 2, 2025, 300 young judokas gathered at the arena of the Republican State School of Olympic Reserve to participate in the first stage of the Judo Stars League Club Championship—the “Fire” tournament.
An atmosphere of tension, thrilling matches, and heartfelt emotions filled the day, marking the start of an exciting sports season. The tournament brought together participants from Belarus and Russia, providing a platform to test their skills and prepare for new challenges.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONCEPT: THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF JUDO
The “Champion’s Path: Four Elements” Championship features a unique format that transforms the competition into an engaging journey.
Each stage symbolizes one of the key qualities of a judoka:
• Fire — strength, energy, the drive to win.
• Water — flexibility, the ability to adapt.
• Earth — resilience, endurance.
• Air — lightness, tactical thinking, speed.
The combination of these elements makes the tournament a multifaceted test, requiring not only physical preparation but also the ability to adapt. The progressive scoring system sustains intrigue, gradually increasing the value of points from stage to stage and doubling the points in the finals.
OPEN PARTICIPATION: OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE
One of the championship’s highlights is its flexible format. Clubs can join the tournament at any stage while still retaining a chance for the overall cup. This approach makes the competition accessible to everyone: from beginner teams to more experienced groups. The ability to join at any time allows young athletes to test their skills and gain valuable experience.
RESULTS OF THE FIRST STAGE: WHO TOOK THE LEAD?
The first stage— “Fire”—was a true test of team spirit and individual skills.
Here are the results of the Top 5 clubs:
1st Place — TIGER
• Participants: 142
• Medals: 83 (gold: 21, silver: 20, bronze: 42)
• Points: 50
• Efficiency: 58%
The TIGER club confidently claimed the top spot. Their large number of participants and impressive medal count made them the main favorites of the tournament.
2nd Place — SAPSAN
• Participants: 8
• Medals: 6 (gold: 3, silver: 2, bronze: 1)
• Points: 40
• Efficiency: 75%
Despite their small team size, SAPSAN showed exceptional efficiency. Almost every participant made a significant contribution to the team’s success.
3rd Place — VERSHINA
• Participants: 20
• Medals: 10 (gold: 1, silver: 5, bronze: 4)
• Points: 30
• Efficiency: 50%
VERSHINA steadily earned a place in the top three. Their success was largely due to a high number of silver medals, demonstrating consistent appearances in finals.
4th Place — POBEDA
• Participants: 16
• Medals: 8 (gold: 1, silver: 0, bronze: 7)
• Points: 20
• Efficiency: 50%
POBEDA firmly secured their position by focusing on bronze matches, but the absence of silver and a limited number of gold medals kept them outside the top three.
5th Place — BEREZINO
• Participants: 10
• Medals: 1 (gold: 0, silver: 1, bronze: 0)
• Points: 10
• Efficiency: 10%
BEREZINO, while closing the top five, made an important step forward, laying the foundation for future successes.
PATHS TO SUCCESS: QUALITY OR QUANTITY?
The stage leaders, TIGER and SAPSAN, showcased two different approaches. TIGER emphasized scale, gathering an impressive roster, while SAPSAN proved that a smaller number of participants could deliver outstanding results. Other clubs, like VERSHINA and POBEDA, remain strong contenders for future success, while BEREZINO continues to be a promising participant.
SECOND STAGE: A TEST OF FLEXIBILITY
The second stage, titled “Water,” begins on May 18, 2025. Here, participants will need to demonstrate tactical thinking and adaptability.
The points for victories increase, and the competition intensifies:
• 1st Place — 60 points
• 2nd Place — 50 points
• 3rd Place — 40 points
• 4th Place — 30 points
• 5th Place — 20 points
Each participation becomes an essential step toward success, highlighting the strategic importance of each stage.
The Judo Stars League Championship 2025 is a school of mastery and a true test of resilience. The first stage showcased diverse approaches, preparation levels, and team spirit. Ahead lie new challenges and opportunities for participants to strengthen their positions.
