Para Judo

Para Judo was added to the Paralympic programme at the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.

The sport is open to athletes with a vision impairment across seven weight categories for men and six categories for women.

Para Judo requires athletes to employ a mix of attack and defence. Contests last five minutes and the athletes (judokas) gain points for throws, holds, armlocks and strangles in a bid to beat their opponent. The judoka who scores the higher number of points wins.

For more information on Para Judo Eligibility and How to Get Involved please see the Para Judo Information Sheet (PDF – 95KB) – updated 2023.

Medal History

2020Tokyo
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Events and Disciplines

Seven weight categories for men – 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, 100+kg

Six weight categories for women – 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 70kg, 70+kg

Classification

Para Judo is open to athletes with a vision impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete. Eligibility is determined by trained Classifiers.

For more information on Eligible Impairments and Classification please see the Para Judo Information Sheet (PDF – 109KB) – updated 2023.

Rules and Equipment

Mats
Judo contests are fought on a mat, or tatami. The contest area is 8m x 8m, with a 1m safety area all the way around.

Reflecting its origins, all of the terminology of Judo is Japanese.

Two athletes (judokas) gain points for throws, holds, armlocks and strangles in a bid to beat their opponent. A contest lasts for five minutes, with the athlete who has the highest score at the end of the contest the winner. The contest will stop immediately if one judoka achieves ippon – the maximum score, two waza-ari (a lower score), or if the opponent either submits or is disqualified.

The scores of waza-ari and yuko depend on how the opponent lands upon being thrown, and how long a judoka can immobilise their opponent on their back.