Paralympic Judo

Sport Summary:

Judo was included on the Paralympic Programme for the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.

The sport is open to athletes with blindness / visual impairment in several weight categories.

The contest lasts five minutes, for both men and women and the winner is the athlete who scores an ippon or who scores the greater number of points.

The sport is governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and follows the International Judo Federation (IJF) rules used at other top-level, able-bodied judo events, with slight modifications for athletes with a visual impairment, which allow them contact with their opponent before the start of the match.

Paralympic Events to be contested at Beijing 2008:

  • Men’s competition is divided into seven weight divisions, from 70kg to over 100kg.
  • Women’s competition is divided into six weight divisions, from 48kg and over 70kg.

Click here to view the nomination criteria for the 2008 Paralympic Team as a pdf.

Rules & Equipment:

Tatami (the Mat):

The competition is held on a mat measuring 10x10m with a danger area of 1m and an outer safety area of 3-4m. In most competitions the mat is green with a red danger area.

Judogi (the Judo uniform):

Judogi is made out of heavy cotton to allow athletes to grab on to their opponents' collar, sleeve, chest, belt and trousers when practising the various techniques.

For many years there were only white judogi. In the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, blue judogi were added to make the distinction between competitors easier.

Belts:

Judo belts are used to identify the athletes' skills, technical proficiency and contribution to the sport. Rank is shown by a belt colour.

There are two types of rank: kyu and dan. Dan grades are the highest and shown by a black belt. Coloured belts show kyu grades.

Although the grades vary among countries, the most universally accepted system is the following: Kyu grades decrease from six to one, the latter being the highest ranking, whereas dan grades increase from one to 10, 10 being the highest ranking.

Classification:

In Judo, athletes are classified according to three levels of visual impairment: B1, B2 and B3.

B1:

Total absence of perception of the light in both eyes, or some perception of the light but with inability to recognise the form of a hand at any distance and in any direction.

B2:

From the ability to recognise the form of a hand to a visual acuity of 2/60 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees.

B3:

From a visual acuity of above 2/60 to a visual acuity of 6/60 and/or a visual field or more than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees.

All classifications must be made by measuring the best eye and to the highest possible correction. This means that all athletes who use contact lenses or correcting glasses normally must wear them during classification, whether or not they intend to use them during competition.

Click here for a more detailed explanation of Judo classification.

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