The season finally launched — a motivational talk to hundreds of students at a national sports school.

A cancelled ferry, a 20-hour detour, then gear, passport and donations stolen in Legazpi. The community raised the money back — and Bohol made up for it.

1,200 km overland across the border, double Olympic champion Xian Dongmei in Guangzhou, and a surprise birthday cake from the women’s team in Beijing.

China to Korea by ferry, Yonsei University, and a seminar with An Baul.

The cradle of judo, all eight regions: a dojo from 1888, Hiroshima, Waseda, Kosen judo in Hokkaido, and Kodokan president Haruki Uemura. Nearly five million views.

Coaching Vanuatu at the Mini Pacific Games — the first gold medal in the country’s judo history.

Future champions in the countryside, the national team, and a barbecue with former president Battulga Khaltmaa, now head of the federation.

Back in Europe after restructuring the project — fishing with Olympic champion Lukáš Krpálek and the Prague Open.

Reunited with mentor Sabrina Filzmoser — from abbeys to the tatami of champions.

Barnaul in Siberia, a huge tournament next to the Mongolian team, and friendships made for years — judo before politics.

A chaotic arrival, adapted judo programmes, Franz Kofler cycling to 1,000 dojos, and Predjama Castle in the snow.