Spanish judo icon Quino Ruiz has spoken candidly about the financial struggles facing his sport, declaring that athlete grants in judo are practically negligible compared to other disciplines. According to coverage from Judo Noticias, the former elite competitor and national team coach pointed to a stark funding gap.
A Storied Career on the Tatami
Quino Ruiz built an impressive athletic resume before transitioning to coaching. His relationship with the sport began at the San Estanislao de Kostka school, where he chose judo because it suited his personality and provided a welcoming environment for practitioners of all backgrounds, as reported by Judo Noticias. Over a career spanning major international tournaments, he claimed senior European championship titles, earned two European bronze medals, finished seventh at the Olympic Games, and captured numerous national titles.
His standout moment as an athlete occurred during the 1991 World Championships in Barcelona, where he defeated a Russian opponent to secure a spot in the final—marking the first time a Spanish judoka reached a world championship final, according to Judo Noticias. Despite that historic milestone, he also carried the disappointment of missing out on an Olympic medal across his three appearances at the Games.
The Financial Reality of Modern Judo
Reflecting on the state of the sport, Ruiz emphasized that financial support remains a major hurdle for competitors. As noted by Judo Noticias, he stated that the grants provided to judo athletes are inadequate and cannot compete with the funding levels seen in other sports.
On the competitive side, Ruiz observed that modern judo has returned to its roots after a period where rule changes blurred the line between judo and wrestling. He told Judo Noticias that while some techniques had to be sacrificed along the way, current competition rules make bouts far more dynamic, attractive, and aligned with traditional values.
Transition to Coaching and Federation Dynamics
Moving from the tatami to the coaching box brought new challenges. Ruiz acknowledged that retirement is difficult for competitors whose careers did not pan out exactly as planned, but he found fulfillment in shaping the next generation of talent. To be a successful coach, he stressed to Judo Noticias that one must maintain endless passion for students, never assume mastery of the discipline, and push athletes to believe in their own capabilities.
His coaching journey also included navigating leadership changes within the Spanish Judo Federation (RFEJYDA). Ruiz experienced a brief departure from his role as a national team coach following a disagreement with the sporting director, but he later returned to the coaching staff after a reconciliation facilitated by federation president Juan Carlos Barcos, according to Judo Noticias. He described his current relationship with federation leadership as excellent.
Looking to the Future of Spanish Judo
Despite ongoing financial constraints, Ruiz remains optimistic about the future of the sport in Spain. He told Judo Noticias that an influx of young, highly talented judokas has revived expectations of returning Spain to a prominent position on the global judo stage as competitors prepare for major international events such as the European Games in Baku.
