Thailand Open 2026 Judo Championship Draws 12 Nations
Thailand hosted its 2026 judo championships in Ayutthaya from September 3-6, drawing 421 athletes from 12 countries competing across five disciplines. Officials said the event boosts sports tourism while showcasing Thailand's historic UNESC
Passakorn Rangsiwatsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony of the international judo competition Thailand Youth and Thailand Open Grand Prix 2026, held from September 3-6, 2026 at Ayutthaya Hall, Central Ayutthaya shopping center in Ayutthaya province. The event included Preeча Lalun, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand Sports Authority, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchhai Suksuwannakorn, President of the Thailand Judo Association, with large attendance from athletes, coaches, referees, and sports fans.
The competition featured 305 youth-division and 116 open-division athletes from 12 countries—Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, the United States, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, France, Croatia, and Moldova—competing across five disciplines: kata, nogi, show, duo, and contact.
Rangsiwatsakdi stated that hosting international sports competitions in Thailand serves not only to develop athletes but also to drive sports tourism, linking sports with travel, generating revenue, and spreading economic opportunity to local communities, positioning Thailand as a global sports destination.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchhai Suksuwannakorn emphasized that the event's success resulted from cooperation between the Tourism and Sports Ministry, government agencies, the private sector, and local sports networks. Hosting an international judo championship in Ayutthaya—a UNESCO World Heritage city with strong infrastructure, personnel, and tourism potential—creates a tangible fusion of sports and tourism, allowing foreign athletes and supporters to experience the charm of the historic city.
The Thailand Open 2026 judo championship serves as an important platform for developing Thai judo athletes, enabling them to compete internationally and elevating Thailand's tournament standards to global recognition. The Ayutthaya venue also strengthens the link between sports and tourism, attracting international participants and followers to experience the historic city, boosting local business revenue and reinforcing Thailand's position as a premier sports tourism destination.
