Yui Fujiwara, a visually impaired judoka representing the corporate sports program at Colopl, has been selected as a member of the Japan national team for the upcoming 2026 IBSA Judo World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, scheduled to begin on September 25, 2026.
Path to the National Team and International Success
Fujiwara’s selection for the Georgia world championships follows a consistent trajectory of high-level international competition. Her career on the global stage gained significant momentum at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she secured a fifth-place finish for Japan. Later that same year, she claimed a bronze medal at the IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Baku.
Her momentum continued through subsequent seasons, highlighted by a gold medal win at the 2022 IBSA Judo Tokyo Open and appearances at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. After joining Colopl in April 2025, Fujiwara added another major international accolade to her resume by capturing the silver medal in the women’s J2W 52kg division at the August 2025 IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Giza.
Corporate Support and Inclusive Athletics
Fujiwara competes under the banner of Colopl, a Tokyo-based company that operates mobile and consumer gaming platforms alongside XR and metaverse developments. Guided by its mission statement of providing entertainment for daily life, the firm maintains an active sports contribution program designed to support elite athletes across multiple disciplines.
According to corporate statements, the initiative aims to provide top-tier competitors with a stable, secure environment to focus entirely on their training. By backing athletes like Fujiwara, the organization intends to foster a broader inclusive society where individuals can excel regardless of physical ability.
Key Career Milestones
- 2021: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – 5th place finish (Japan national team)
- 2021: IBSA Judo Grand Prix, Baku – 3rd place
- 2022: IBSA Judo Tokyo Open – 1st place
- 2023: IBSA Judo Grand Prix, Egypt & Astana – 3rd place in both events
- 2023: Hangzhou Asian Para Games – 7th place finish (Japan national team)
- 2024: 39th All Japan Blind Judo Championships – 1st place
- 2025: Joined Colopl in April; secured silver at the IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Giza (women’s J2W 52kg) in August
Tournament Schedule and Outlook
The 2026 IBSA Judo World Championships in Tbilisi will gather elite visually impaired judokas from around the globe starting September 25, 2026.
