The retired class of 2025: careers that shaped a generation of judo

The year 2025 marked the end of an era for international judo. As the sport moved deeper into a new Olympic cycle, a group of athletes whose names had defined the IJF World Tour for more than a decade quietly stepped away from competition. Their retirements were not sudden exits, but natural conclusions to careers built on medals, resilience and unmistakable identity. For 100judo.com, this is a look back at a few dominant judoka whose departure leaves a lasting imprint on the sport.

One of the top athletes that we will miss is Joshiro Maruyama

Kim Polling
Kim Polling retires as one of the most decorated Dutch judoka of her generation. A European champion, world medallist and multiple World Tour winner, Polling was a constant presence at the top of the women’s middleweights. Her judo combined physical strength with tactical intelligence, and she was known for thriving in long tournaments where endurance mattered as much as explosiveness. Beyond her results, Polling became a reference point for professionalism and longevity, returning from injuries and setbacks with remarkable consistency. Her retirement closes a chapter in which the Netherlands remained firmly anchored among the global powers in women’s judo.

Karen Stevenson
Karen Stevenson may not have collected the same volume of global medals, but her impact within European and domestic judo was profound. A judoka defined by discipline and work ethic, Stevenson represented the Netherlands with distinction and later became a visible role model for athletes navigating the balance between elite sport and life beyond competition. Her retirement reflects a career rooted in commitment rather than headlines, a reminder that the sport is sustained as much by its steady contributors as by its champions.

Nora Gjakova
Few retirements in 2025 carried the emotional weight of Nora Gjakova’s. Olympic champion, world medallist and European champion, she was central to Kosovo’s extraordinary rise in women’s judo. Gjakova’s fighting spirit, grounded in relentless pressure and fearless attacking, made her a symbol of national pride and sporting defiance. Her career extended beyond medals, inspiring a generation in a country where judo became a powerful expression of identity. Stepping away in 2025, she leaves behind not only titles, but a legacy that reshaped expectations of what Kosovo could achieve on the world stage.

Noël van ’t End
Noël van ’t End exits the tatami as one of the most distinctive competitors of his era. World champion in 2019, European champion and Olympic medallist, van ’t End brought creativity and unpredictability to every contest. His judo was marked by unorthodox attacks and a willingness to take risks, qualities that made him both dangerous and compelling to watch. His retirement signals the end of a uniquely expressive style at the highest level, one that challenged conventions and reminded the judo world that individuality still has a place in elite competition.

Lukhumi Chkhvimiani
Lukhumi Chkhvimiani retires having played a key role in Georgia’s golden generation. Olympic champion and European champion, he embodied the Georgian tradition of physical, gripping based judo while refining it with tactical maturity. Chkhvimiani’s career was defined by intensity and authority, particularly on the biggest stages where he consistently delivered. His departure marks the closing of a chapter in which Georgian judo transitioned from respected force to dominant presence across multiple weight categories.

Katharina Haecker
Katharina Haecker’s retirement represents the end of a pioneering career for Australian judo. Olympic medallist, Commonwealth champion and long time flag bearer for her nation on the World Tour, Haecker carried the expectations of a developing judo country with composure. She combined tactical discipline with leadership, often competing against deeper fields while maintaining international relevance. Her career stands as a benchmark for future Australian judoka seeking to bridge the gap between continental success and global impact.

Let’s not forget our athlete with a smile, almost everywhere, Soichi Hashimoto

Taken together, these major retirements reflect the breadth of modern judo. Different nations, different styles, different paths, yet a shared commitment to excellence and longevity. Their absence in 2026 will be felt not only in draws and rankings, but in the identity of the sport itself. As new names rise, the class of 2025 leaves behind standards that will continue to shape judo long after their final contest.

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