As with all sports, judo has a ranking, both nationally and internationally. Thus, in the framework of competitions and sports events, the best judoka are determined. We give a brief overview and present the most famous competitions of the sport.
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Major judo tournaments and championships
In judo, the most important tournaments are the Olympics and the World and European Championships. In the following we would like to give you some background information.
Judo Olympics
Judo has received the greatest international attention since 1964 as a discipline at the Olympic Games, which are held every 4 years.
- Due to the great public interest in the Olympic Games, the Olympic gold medal receives the greatest recognition.
- In the video is the 100kg contest between Teddy Riner and Hisayoshi Harasawa for the 2016 gold medal in Rio.
- More videos from past Olympiads are also available on Youtube
- More information about the German Judo Olympic Team can be found here
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Judo Europe & World Championship
The Judo World Champions are determined at intervals of 2 years at the Judo World Champions hips, which have been held regularly since 1956. From 1980 to 1986, the men’s and women’s championships were held separately and offset by one year each; since 1987, the two championships have been combined.
The European Championships have existed since 1951 and take place annually and are organized by the European Judounion. Here, too, the men’s and women’s championships were separated from 1975 to 1986.
- The organizer is the IJF (International Judo Federation).
- In the video you can see the fight between Teddy Riner (FRA) and Sung-Min Kim (KOR) 2013 in Paris.
- You can find the list of winners at the Judo Federation
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German Judo Bundesliga
The German team champions are determined annually in theJudo Bundesliga, which consists of a total of 64 teams and is organized by the German Judo Federation. There is a first and a second Bundesliga as well as various regional leagues. Only clubs in the 1st Bundesliga can become German team champions. This is divided into North and South and works, similar to the soccer Bundesliga, with a system that provides for first and second rounds.
The champion is then ultimately determined in a final round, which includes semifinals and finals. The last-placed team is relegated to the 2nd Judo Bundesliga after an unsuccessful relegation match.
All championships have in common that a distinction is made according to weight classes and usually separate classes are formed for age groups (U15, U18, U21, Ü30). The exception is the Judo Bundesliga, where only weight classes exist.
Current standings of the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga for men and women can be found at www.deutsche-judo-bundesliga.de
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Division into competition classes
In judo weight classes in competition, the first distinction is between men and women. A general minimum age of 8 years applies to all participants and in all classes.
- For men and women there are the age groups U12, U15, U18 and U21. Participation in the adult group is possible from the age of 17.
- The division into weight classes then takes place, depending on the age group, in steps of only a few kilos, in order to exclude too great a disadvantage due to weight differences. In addition, minimum weights apply for participation in team competitions at U15 and U18, which none of the participants may fall below.
- An annually updated table of judo weight classes is provided by the DJB.
Rules and principles of conduct during the competition
The goal of a judo match is to defeat your opponent by earning points or by giving them up. Points are obtained by holding the opponent in the supine position on the floor, for which you have various techniques at your disposal. The fight takes place on a square mat, which is surrounded by a safety area that may not be entered during the fight. It serves only as a safeguard in case one of the opponents falls out of the competition area.
- It should be clear to you anyway that the instructions of the referee are to be followed with immediate effect.
- The most important thing is to treat each other with respect. Greeting each other before and after the fight is a nice and symbolic gesture, but the real respect you show your opponent is by being fair during the fight.
- The principle of respectful interaction with each other runs through the life of the judoka at all times. Already in the dojo you will realize that a violation of general judo rules will not be tolerated by the coach, nor by fellow students. In competition, this applies in a more severe form, because here the opponent is awarded partial points for breaking the rules. It is therefore quite possible to lose a fight that is actually safe simply by breaking the rules.
- Of course, your behavior should not only be appropriate on the mat but also off it. Taunting an opponent as soon as he leaves the mat will almost certainly get you into more trouble than a few nasty looks.
What is and is not allowed in competition?
Some techniques are taught in judo training or kata, but may not be used in competition. These include all forms of striking techniques, whether with hand or foot, and choking techniques that apply pressure to the larynx. Strangle attacks against the side of the neck or the arteries, on the other hand, are permitted.
- The use of the belt for fixing or choking is prohibited in all respects.
- Leverage techniques are only allowed against the elbow joint, all other joints are excluded.
- Also prohibited are attacks against an opponent who has left the competition area or has already given up.