Sugoi Uriarte has been in judo all his life. He came to participate in the London 2012 and Beijing 2016 Olympic Games. A native of Vitoria but Valencian by adoption, married to Laura Gómez, also a Valencian judoka, he is currently the technical manager of the High Performance Center that is based at the Sports Center from Benimaclet from where, together with Laura Gómez herself, he trains judokas such as Julia Figueroa or Ana Pérez. Now, he takes a step forward and is running for the presidency of the Royal Spanish Federation of Judo and Associated Sports together with Javier Delgado.
Because right now?
In the world of Spanish judo, in my opinion, there is a clear demand for change, a general desire to be like the countries around us. I am convinced that we can and we will achieve it.
In this adventure you go hand in hand with Javier Delgado. How did this union come about?
My vision of judo coincided with that of Javier Delgado and we thought that the moment was now. Thus we have added the initiative of both in the project. During the year 2023 we have time to listen to proposals and try to make it a candidacy that integrates projects.
What are the main changes you propose for the RFEJYDA?
Undoubtedly, the promotion in its entirety. The number of licenses has been reduced by 37% (we are currently at 61,089), going from being among the 5 sports with the most licenses to the current number 16. We need to be in the media and in our rightful place. And, that, is the work of the Spanish federation. Financing is essential, we want to change the model, increase the private contribution and also the public. In return, we want to reduce the contribution of the clubs and federations.
Do you also bet on high competition?
High performance is a priority for us. We have to avoid what happens to us when we competed, that we have had to pay with the money of our family and friends the costs of qualifying to represent Spain in international championships. For us it is a priority objective to facilitate labor integration during and after sporting life.
What is the management model you want to import from other countries?
From the Italian federation I would highlight labor insertion; from the French, the network that they have from schools to high competition; From the German I highlight its distribution of high performance and training in the landers; from the Georgian federation I highlight the race of its wrestlers.
How has the recent growth of national judo been?
We have numerous ideas collected on the tatami, on a day-to-day basis, in classes, in training camps, stages, competitions. We know well the needs of our sport.
