Adnan Khankan: Judo is a very special sport

Ever since he was 10, Khankan has loved judo.

Introduced to it by his father’s friend, the values engrained within the sport resonate deeply with him.

“Judo is a very special sport that comes from Japan and has a lot of values in it,” he began.

“I must always have respect, be courageous and self-confident – I’ve always liked things like that.

“I always noticed [I was] different to others at a young age, I have discipline and I always have a goal to achieve, to think about what the future holds.”

His commitment to the sport and to planning out his future is exactly why it was so difficult for him to begin a new life elsewhere.

Paris isn’t where his plan ends, though.

“Depending on my result, I would like to train a little harder until LA 2028 and continue to train hard, take part again and get better results.”

That isn’t his only aim – he also wants to help remove the stigma that comes with being a refugee.

“I would like to – in Germany or Europe in general – change the refugee stereotype,” he adds.

“Through sport and judo, I want to help people who have problems here, for example, someone like me or others who are on the street or seeking asylum.

“There is always a way to help.”