The message reads, in part:
“Please accept my greetings on the opening the Yawara Challenge International Judo Club Tournament, which is being held for the second time within the framework of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum’s sports programme.
I am pleased to note that these prestigious and spectacular competitions are becoming a good tradition and a noteworthy event in the life of our Northern Capital and the entire country. They bring together the strongest teams from Russia and other countries, and largely reflect the state of modern judo and development trends of this dazzling and dynamic martial art.
Your tournament also makes a serious contribution to popularising and promoting martial arts, their philosophy and values. In this connection, I would like to thank the staff of the Yawara Neva Club, including talented wrestlers, coaches, mentors and tutors, for the excellent organisation of the competitions and for the invariably excellent results. Today, Yawara Neva is rightfully seen as one of the top-scoring teams, which remains a many-time and current European champion.
I am sure that exciting and intense bouts and uncompromising battles of personalities await the spectators and tournament participants, and that the Yawara Challenge will continue to develop, expand its horizons and attract new dedicated admirers.”