Svetlana Berezgova: The first female IJF referee in the North Caucasus Federal District talks about judo, the Caucasus, and obtaining an international referee license

Svetlana Berezgova is the first woman in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic to earn the title of Master of Sports of Russia in two disciplines: judo and mixed martial arts. She is also the only woman in the North Caucasus Federal District to hold an IJF Class A international license. This highest refereeing qualification qualifies her to officiate at world-class tournaments.

Berezgova entered the sport as a teenager and, over the course of 25 years, has risen from a junior to an active coach and referee. Today, she serves in the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, combining her service with high-level refereeing and training a new generation of judokas.

Svetlana Berezgova recently served as the chief referee at the All-Russian Student Judo Competition held at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov. The university’s press service spoke with her about her athletic career, women in judo, and training and motivating young athletes.

— Svetlana Ruslanovna, how does your day begin? How does someone with three jobs manage their schedule?

— Every day at 7 a.m., I’m already on the tatami training children, and by 9 a.m., I begin my service at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Strict self-discipline helps me juggle three important roles. My schedule is often booked a year in advance due to the calendar of national and international tournaments. Among the key events of this season, I would highlight the Russian Championship in Mineralnye Vody, the International Masters Tournament in Dushanbe, and the final of the Battle of the Cities in Moscow. Every competition is unique in its intensity, and preparation for them requires the utmost concentration and professionalism from the refereeing team.
— How does the training process begin in your group? What are your three main principles in coaching?

— Judo for me is not just a sport, but a profound life philosophy that I share with my students. I coach children aged 4 to 8; at this age, sport should bring only joy. The introduction and first training session in my group always begin with the child’s adaptation and creating a comfortable environment in the gym. The first principle is to ensure safety. I don’t teach young children complex and dangerous high-amplitude throws until they have mastered the technique of self-protection when falling. I strictly dose and monitor all training individually. I am convinced that a strong athlete is, first and foremost, a healthy athlete. The main law of judo, «Seiryoku Zenyo,» enshrines the most intelligent use of body and spirit.
The second principle is to instill a love of sport through play. Training for young children should be an exciting adventure, not an exhausting chore. My main goal is to ignite a spark in the child’s eyes and bring them joy. We develop agility, flexibility, and strength through relay races and active games. Thanks to this gentle approach, young students truly fall in love with judo and look forward to every visit to the gym.

Developing character and creating an atmosphere of mutual support is the third principle of training. On the tatami, boys and girls learn to respect their partners, help those weaker, accept defeat gracefully, and use any setback as motivation to become stronger.

— What key changes have occurred in judo rules in recent years, and how do they influence your coaching approach?

— The changes to the rules as published by the International Judo Federation (IJF) have had a positive impact on working with children. The reintroduction of the yuko award, the reduction in hold times, and the expansion of the range of holds have made the competition more dynamic and engaging. We teach young judokas to attack from the very first seconds, avoiding passive waiting. We develop fast ground game skills, as points are now awarded for holding someone for 5 seconds. We also master new legal techniques, such as the bear hug and attacks with a hold below the waist.

Thanks to these changes, children notice the results of their actions more quickly, enjoy the fight more, and progress rapidly.

— When did you transition to refereeing? Who was your mentor, and how did that change your perspective on judo?

— At 28, I retired from active judo, but I firmly decided to develop my favorite sport as a referee. My main mentor in refereeing was Nurmukhamed Emkuzhev, Honored Coach of the Russian Federation, Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Judo Federation, and Chairman of the North Caucasus Federal District Refereeing Board. He mentored an entire generation of outstanding judokas, including 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Hasanbi Taova.
The first step was a deep immersion in the nuances of the profession. I began with support tasks: working the stopwatch and scoreboard, while simultaneously learning from my senior colleagues. I carefully recorded how the referee managed the match, giving the commands «Hajime,» «Mate,» or «Soro-made,» indicating scores with gestures, and adjusting the competitors’ uniforms. The most important thing I learned was to ensure absolute clarity and comprehensibility of every decision for judokas and spectators.

— In 2025, Russian referees were allowed to take international examinations for the first time in four years. How was the certification for refereeing conducted?

— The experts assessed our knowledge of refereeing rules and our level of professional English. First, we attended a seminar where IJF referee directors reviewed the latest changes to judo rules. The second step was testing, followed by an oral theoretical interview. The final stage took place on the tatami of the Asian Cadet Judo Cup. Only after the practical portion was completed did the refereeing committee sum up the results and announce the list of those who had passed all the tests.
I successfully passed this rigorous selection process. Now I need to earn ranking points at international tournaments as a referee to qualify for World Championships and the Olympic Games. It’s just like in professional sports: intense competition, and you can’t relax for a second.

— You’re the first woman in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic to become a referee of the highest international category. Is there a gender factor in judo in the Caucasus?

Judo is based on a philosophy of equality; there are uniform rules on the tatami. The Caucasus is a region with strong sporting traditions, and the attitude toward female referees here is based on respect. Prejudices disappear when colleagues and coaches see that you thoroughly know the IJF rules and judge impartially. Skill level is assessed in the arena, so the reaction from our professional community is extremely positive.
Being a pioneer is not easy, but my path is a benchmark for other young women. All the challenges in this work are purely professional in nature: enormous stress, split-second decisions, and a busy schedule.

— Were there times in your career when you considered quitting the sport?

— Of course, the grueling training and competition schedule sometimes led to burnout. In moments of extreme despair, I really wanted to quit, but the emotions that sport gives me always kept me going. The incomparable thrill of competition, the unique taste of victory, and the pride of standing on the podium—these feelings made me forget the difficulties and return to the gym. My status proves that for a dedicated person, any heights are open in our republic and country.
— What are the most important tasks for coaches and young people today?

— Three tasks are paramount today: retaining talented young people in the sport, developing domestic tournaments, and creating new partnerships. We are refocusing on open formats with countries in Asia, the Middle East, and the CIS. Restrictions are gradually being lifted, and athletes must be in perfect shape.
The Russian judo school is one of the strongest in the world. Winning a national championship today is no less prestigious than an international tournament, and every time I step onto the tatami, I see that our judo is developing despite any external circumstances.

— What do you consider your greatest achievement as an athlete?

— Of course, the right to make history in my native republic’s sport. I became the first woman in Kabardino-Balkaria to be awarded the title of Master of Sports of Russia in judo, and also the only one in the North Caucasus Federal District to hold an international referee license.
For me, these aren’t just personal achievements; they’re results that shatter stereotypes. Essentially, this is where the history of women’s judo began in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and I opened the door to this wonderful sport for hundreds of other girls in the republic, setting an example for many

— What advice would you give to young athletes entering judo today?

— As someone who has gone from athlete to active coach and referee, I see the tatami from three different perspectives. I advise all beginners to start with the basics, mastering the technique of falls until they become automatic. My favorite judo maxim is: hard work is never wasted. A referee’s assessment on the tatami is only a moment, but character is forged over the years, and at the heart of this process lies iron discipline.

It’s what makes you come to the gym when you’re feeling down, and practice your throw for the hundredth time when you’re feeling drained. Remember: sooner or later, your training will bear fruit, and then every tournament will become a solid foundation for future victories at the highest level.