What an amazing trip to Switzerland for the Judo Assist Irish Adapted judo team.
Our adventure started on early Wednesday 28th May when a total team of 46 meet in Dublin airport for our flight to Zurich. On arrival we were transport by coach through the breathtaking mountains of the Swiss alps to our destination, Poschiavo.
Thursday started with an international welcome training where over 200 judoka graced the tatami to share friendship and judo spirit. After lunch all delegations headed up the mountain on a 3km hike to our host mountain cabin to take part in a multi- skill game competition and an incredible feast of a barbecue.
The day finished of with Taiso workshop for all the coaches and referees.
Friday was divisioning day with all the athletes and coaches back on the Tatami.
After lunch another amazing train trip further up the Swiss alps for a play in the snow, this was followed by a train trip to Tirana in Italy. The finished off with dinner together and then the referee training and briefing.
Saturday was competition day and the day we were all looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint. We all got to witness some incredibly beautiful judo from even more incredible athletes.
Team Ireland performed with tremendous spirit, skill and humility both on and off the tatami, their success was not measured by their medals but by the way they showed respect, kindness and true Irish spirit towards everyone they met.
That said the medal tally was very impressive with 6 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze, 1 fourth and 1 fifth place.
Our day concluded with dinner and an athlete party
We would like to thank our hosts and festival organisers Cilia and Mario and all their team of amazing volunteers
Please watch our after-event video to get a sense of our teams experience in beautiful Switzerland