The message reads, in part:
”It is gratifying that St Petersburg, Anatoly Rakhlin’s hometown, has been hosting a tournament named after him for years. This means that his unique teaching and creative legacy, his experience, ideas, and projects are being preserved and replicated to help young judokas achieve success.
I am sure that your tournament will continue to promote judo, that its noble goals will bring together more and more participants who appreciate the ideals and principles of this unique martial art and strive to achieve the heights of skill. And of course, this tournament will be a significant contribution to commemorating Anatoly Rakhlin.”