ADVERTISEMENTMarius Vizer has been re-elected as the President of the International Judo Federation.
His proposed list for the IJF Executive Committee also received the backing of delegates.
Vizer was the only candidate and was overwhelming backed at the IJF Ordinary Congress that took place on the eve of the Suzuki 2017 World Judo Championships in Budapest.
‘‘It is a great honour for me to serve for the next year the judo family,’‘ he said.
The Romanian was first elected as President of the IJF in 2007 when he replaced South Korea’s Yong Sung Park. He was re-elected again in 2013.
Under Vizer, the IJF has also introduced a series of rule changes to make the sport more appealing to a wider audience.
Vizer re-elected President of International Judo Federation for new … – https://t.co/VGQPnooSJZhttps://t.co/PCfMeUmJnr#JudoPlanetpic.twitter.com/gTOaNUqEed
— Judo Planet (@JudoPlanet) 25 August 2017
But what do others say about his legacy?
Envic Galea, director of IJF Academy, said: ‘‘We have seen a miraculous change in the way judo has been lookefd at. Before it was one of these sports inthe Olympic Games but now, it is ‘the’ sport in the Olympic Games.
‘‘It is becoming very popular also, the public can understand it. Before we were speaking Japanese and now we speak Japanese which they can understand and that is thanks to our president who has this far viewing foresight.’‘
He has been ‘‘exceptional’‘, according to the President Canadian Federation Mike Tamura.
‘‘Mr Marius Vizer has taken judo to a level that back in 2008, it was unimaginable that we could come to this level as a sport. It’s beyound words what he has done for our sport and the greatness judo has done in the world… very exciting times.’‘
George Kerr, CBE 10th DAN, said: ‘‘I don’t think anyone else could have done that. I think it is amazing what he has done.’‘
Estony Pridgeon General Secretary of African Judo Union added: ‘‘I think because it culminates the whole process of what is happening in the judo world and the development of judo over the past 10 years has been unbelievable.
‘‘Mr Vizer has just been a great leader to all of us and I think a great inspiration, especially to us in Africa. Also to increase our standards and become on par and level with IJF.’‘
“Changes in continuity. Marius has changed everything while making it better at the same time,” said Jean Luc-Rougge President of French Judo Federation.
“He has increased the number of activities and has organised them. He has found ways of expanding on all the aspect of judo education. And that’s something important.”