Going the distance: Judo clubs as a framework for stress and social mobility among male immigrants from the former USSR in Israel

This study asks how immigrants from former Soviet Union countries understand the role of judo clubs in their experiences of belonging and social inclusion in Israel. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 male participants from three clubs: 25 judokas aged 19–25 and 10 coaches and club managers. Qualitative content analysis generated categories that were subsequently interpreted through differential opportunity theory. Participants described emotional support, self-efficacy, achievement aspirations, belonging, and opportunities for purposeful engagement, alongside experiences of pressure and vulnerability. The accounts suggest that club relationships and practices may provide resources for negotiating inclusion, while also imposing demanding expectations. The non-longitudinal design and focus on active members and current staff limit conclusions about causal effects, realized social mobility, and integration beyond the club. The study contributes a contextualized understanding of the perceived opportunities and tensions associated with sustained judo participation.