There are a number of different types of competition; these are stated below for both juniors and seniors.

Junior Level U16

Mini-Mons

This level of competition is designed for genuine beginners at a junior level. The maximum grade allowed is normally 6th Mon, certain mini-mons may have a grade category that caters for children higher than 6th Mon but this is normally advertised on the entry form.

Junior Closed/Open Competitions

Junior competitions cover a wide range of age, grade and skill levels. They tend to be for U16’s but some events cater for U18’s. The U18’s will generally be billed as youth events.

Closed competitions are normally restricted to players living/training in the area stated. For example; The Gloucestershire Closed would be open only to players living/training in the county.

For junior events you must hold a British Judo Association Junior Licence, although some events that also cater for U18’s do allow for either a junior or senior licence to be held for players under 16.

Competitions are available for anyone from the age of 8 upwards, for each competition the players will be divided into weight categories, these are normally as below, but some start with a lower weight or may go higher dependant on the competition level:

WEIGHT CATEGORIES:

Boy: -27kg: -30kg: -34kg: -38kg: -42kg: -46kg: -50kg: -55kg: -60kg: +60k
Girls: -28kg: -32kg: -36kg: -40kg: -44kg: -48kg: -52kg: -57kg: -63 +63k

Senior Level 16+

Senior Closed/Open Competitions

Senior competitions cover a wide range of grade and skill levels.

Closed competitions are normally restricted to players living/training in the area stated. For example; The Gloucestershire Closed would be open only to players living/training in the county.

You will be required to hold a Senior BJA Licence to enter senior competitions.

WEIGHT CATEGORIES

Men: -60kg: –66kg: –73kg: –81kg: -90kg: –100kg: + 100kg
Women: -48kg: –52kg: –57kg: –63kg: –70kg: –78kg: + 78kg

Competition scoring

A throw that places the opponent on his back with impetus and control scores ippon (Full point score) winning the contest. A lesser throw, where the opponent is thrown onto his back, but with insufficient force to merit an ippon, scores waza-ari (half point score). Two scores of waza-ari equal ippon.

Ippon is scored in ne-waza (groundwork technique) by either juniors or seniors by pinning an opponent on his back with a recognised osaekomi-waza (hold down) for 25 seconds or by forcing a submission through shime-waza or kansetsu-waza (strangles or arm locks, which are for seniors only). A submission is signalled by tapping the mat or the opponent at least twice with the hand or foot. A hold down lasting for less than 20 seconds, but more than 15 seconds scores waza-ari.

If the scores are identical at the end of the match, the contest is resolved by the Golden Score rule. Golden Score is a sudden death situation where the clock is reset to match-time, and the first contestant to achieve any score wins.

Competition Times

For junior competitions the normal contest time is usually either 2 or 3 minutes, with the senior competitions the normal contest time is usually either 4 or 5 minutes.