About Judo
Judo is one of the most widely practised martial arts for athletes with visual impairments. It follows the same techniques, skills, tactics, and values as Olympic judo, but athletes rely heavily on touch, balance, spatial awareness, and instinct to compete effectively.
Competition structure
At IBSA Judo competitions, athletes are divided by weight categories and visual classes.
Weight categories
| Men | Women |
|---|---|
| -70 kg | -52 kg |
| -81 kg | -60 kg |
| -90 kg | -70 kg |
| +90 kg | +70 kg |
Visual classes
J1: Athletes who are blind or almost blindWear a red circle on the back number of their judogis. They are escorted by the referee to the centre of the mat at the start of the contest and whenever necessary.
J2: Athletes with visual impairmentDo not wear additional markings.
This structure results in eight medal events per competition, ensuring a fairer competitive system and supporting fair play across all levels of impairment.
Adaptations
Key adaptations for visually impaired athletes include:
- Matches begin with both athletes gripping each other's judogi.
- No penalties are applied to J1 athletes when they step outside the contest area unless the movement is intentional.
- Referees call “Jogai” when athletes approach the edge of the mat to indicate their position.
- Coaches can provide limited information to athletes during the match, such as remaining time or safety information.
These adaptations allow athletes to compete safely and fairly, while maintaining the core principles of judo.
