Four-time Olympian Sabrina Filzmoser to visit Pakistan for ‘judo for peace' initiative

Four-time Olympian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser of Austria will land in Karachi on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Sabrina, the climate ambassador of the International Judo Federation (IJF), is visiting Pakistan in connection with the IJF’s globally celebrated ‘judo for peace' initiative.

The two-time world bronze medalist is also the chairperson of the IJF’s Athletes Commission.

“Filzmoser will arrive in Karachi on the morning of May 21, 2025. Her peace-themed journey will commence on May 22 with a symbolic cycling departure from Sea View, Karachi, covering a challenging route across Pakistan to Skardu and onwards to the K2 base camp from where she plans to begin her ascent of K2, the world’s second-highest mountain,” Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) said.

“This extraordinary expedition merges sport with environmental advocacy, gender empowerment and peace-building, reinforcing the message that judo a Japanese sport, meaning “the gentle way” promotes discipline, respect, and harmony rather than violence. In the wake of the recent regional tensions her timely mission carries greater relevance as a gesture of peace and unity,” PJF said.

“Filzmoser is no stranger to such courageous undertakings. In 2023 she cycled from Islamabad to K2 base camp-II and in 2022 she completed a journey from the coastline to Everest base camp eventually summiting Mount Everest with the “Judo for Peace” banner,” the federation said.

Message for peace

The PJF said that despite the intense heat of Sindh and Punjab she is committed to her mission, underscoring her message of peace through perseverance.

“As honorary brand ambassador of Takbeer Judo Club since 2023 she is also a strong advocate for female empowerment through self-defense training,” PJF added.

“During her journey Filzmoser will visit various judo clubs along the route to identify young talent and will meet with officials from the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in Islamabad.

“The PJF chief Col Junaid and national judo fraternity extends heartfelt gratitude to Filzmoser for choosing Pakistan for this noble cause and wishes her success in her inspiring, seemingly inconceivable journey in this scorching heat that exemplifies courage, unity and peace through sport.”