Russia is back in international judo with its flag, anthem, and full national status restored. For the first time since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian athletes are competing without restrictions. The move came after the International Judo Federation ended its ban on national symbols and cleared the way for a full return at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
It is a dramatic shift in a sport that has spent nearly three years caught in political tension. It also places the IJF on a very different path from many global sports bodies that still limit Russian athletes.
Why the IJF Reversed Its Ban?
United 24 / IG / On November 27, 2025, the IJF’s executive committee voted to restore full national representation for Russian athletes. The decision took effect at once, right in time for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
Russian competitors walked into the arena with “RUS” printed on their uniforms and heard their anthem play during medal ceremonies. Belarusian athletes had already been reinstated in June.
The IJF said the decision followed three core principles. First, it argued that athletes should not be punished for the actions of governments. The federation said it exists to protect the sport and the people who compete in it. By its logic, political conflict should not determine who can step onto a tatami.
Second, the IJF said judo must stay clear of geopolitical battles. The statement stressed that sport should not become a stage for political agendas. It pushed the idea that athletes from all countries should have equal conditions when they compete. The federation framed this as a return to fairness.
Third, the IJF pointed to the strength of Russian judo. Russia has long been a powerhouse in the sport, and the federation said the level of competition is stronger when Russian athletes are fully involved. In its view, the sport benefits when top athletes face each other without restrictions.
The First Big Moment on the Mat
The impact was quick. On November 28, Ayub Bliev won gold in the 60kg division, becoming the first Russian judoka in more than two years to stand on the podium under the Russian flag. His medal ceremony included the raising of the flag and the playing of the national anthem.
For Russian officials, the win carried pride. Sergey Soloveychik, head of the Russian Judo Federation, praised the decision and called it historic. He framed it as fair and bold. Mikhail Degtyarev, Russia's Minister of Sport, linked the moment to national identity by calling judo a “presidential sport” because President Vladimir Putin holds a black belt.
However, the reactions on the Ukrainian side were the exact opposite. The Ukrainian Judo Federation condemned the IJF and accused it of violating recommendations from the International Olympic Committee. Ukrainian officials said the decision ignored principles of peace and responsibility.
Supporters in the European Union echoed those concerns. EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef said the move risks normalizing the actions of governments engaged in aggression.
The Divide Inside Global Sports is Growing
United 24 / IG / The IJF faced backlash in 2023 when it was among the first federations to allow Russians and Belarusians to return as neutral athletes.
Ukraine responded by boycotting the World Championships that year. The pattern continues, only now the controversy runs deeper because full national symbols are back.
The decision also highlights how split the sports world remains on this issue. The International Olympic Committee still enforces strict limits. It suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 and continues to allow only neutral athletes at major events, including the upcoming 2026 Winter Games.
Other federations have taken even stronger positions. World Athletics has kept a complete ban in place for both Russian and Belarusian competitors. That zero-tolerance approach shows how far apart different sports have drifted on the same topic.
The IJF is now closer to the International Boxing Association, which also allowed Russian athletes to compete with full national symbols. That choice contributed to the IBA being removed from the Olympic movement in 2023.