Paralympic Judo
Encyclopedia
Paralympic judo is an adaptation of the Japanese martial art of judo
for visually impaired competitors. The rules of the sport are only slightly different from regular judo competitions. It has been part of the Summer Paralympics program since 1988 for men and 2004 for women.
(IJF) rules with some modifications
specified by the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA). The major rule difference is that contests always start with the 2 competitors in a loose grip on each others Judo suits (grip called "Kumikata")and if contact is broken, "matte", or stop, is called and the competitors return to center and regrip.
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
for visually impaired competitors. The rules of the sport are only slightly different from regular judo competitions. It has been part of the Summer Paralympics program since 1988 for men and 2004 for women.
Rules
Paralympic judo competition is governed by the International Judo FederationInternational Judo Federation
The International Judo Federation was founded in July 1951. The IJF was originally composed of judo federations from Europe plus Argentina. Countries from four continents were affiliated over the next ten years. Today the IJF has 200 National Federations on all continents...
(IJF) rules with some modifications
specified by the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA). The major rule difference is that contests always start with the 2 competitors in a loose grip on each others Judo suits (grip called "Kumikata")and if contact is broken, "matte", or stop, is called and the competitors return to center and regrip.
Competitors
- Anthony Clarke (athlete)Anthony Clarke (athlete)Anthony Clarke OAM, ASM is a world class judoka who has been ranked in the top 10 worldwide, in the top 3 in Australia and as the top player in South Australia....
- Cyril JonardCyril JonardCyril Jonard is a French judoka. He competes in judo events for the visually impaired and blind. Jonard has Usher syndrome; he is both deaf and visually impaired. He competes against non-deaf judoka....
- Karima MedjededKarima MedjededKarima Medjeded is a French judoka.She was the first person to win a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, when she competed in the women's extra-lightweight category in judo...
- Jim Mastro Bemidji, MN
External links
- International Paralympic Committee page on judo
- Judo for blind including details of paralympics
- Judo for blind athletes
- Info from the British Paralympic Association
- Beijing 2008 Paralympic Judo Information with an Australian slant from accessibility.com.au - includes nomination criteria for the 2008 Australian Paralympic Judo squad.