Judo for the Disabled

On October 16, 17, 18 and 19.  2003

Competition Organisers:

E mail:  or 

We will meet students and coach's / Officials from UK and Europe.

COUNTRIES CONFIRMED for 2003: Holland/Wales/England/Eire/Slovenia/

Roy Court.
Is the W.J.A Liaison Officer for Special Needs and a Member of the BJA Disability Commission.

Roy is also a 1st Dan and a B.J.A Senior Club Coach.
He  started his judo career at the Cardiff Central. He has involvement with four clubs in the City of Cardiff and many special needs/integrated clubs throughout Wales.

We  Have a  Dream

 The education and understanding gained by judoka of all ages in an integrated class, can only help and give a better quality of life.  FOR ALL IN THE SPORT

Countries Who Hold Competitions

    Wales                    Every 3 years

    Holland                Annually

    Sweden

    Belgium                Annually

    Germany              Every 2 years

    Finland                 Every 3 years

 

The countries  in the process of arranging their first competition.

France               Latvia            Slovenia   

Competition starting positions.

These rules were designed by the Holland judo organisation, with the help and guidance of Ben van der Eng.

GENERAL
These rules are used for judo matches for people with mental, physical, visual or plural handicaps. The matches can be commenced with Tachi-waza (standing techniques) or with Ne-waza (ground techniques).

If the referee has considerable doubts about the handicap of the contestant, he/she must consult the attendant / coach.

If an athlete needs assistance while entering onto the judo tatami the attendant/coach may help, if necessary with the assistance of the referee.

The referees must in general arbitrate according to the judo sports rules, supplemented with the following articles.

Today there are many competitive opportunities for visually impaired athletes in local, national and international events. Visually impaired athletes require some minor accommodations to participate in most of these sports, including judo. No sport though is better suited than Judo to permit visually impaired athletes to compete on an equal basis against sighted athletes.    A good judoka must be guided by what he senses

and never by what he sees. Blind are at an advantage, as they have more feel for Judo than sighted persons. A blind person learns the techniques by felling them in his own body, they are capable of sensing the attacks before any sighted person could do.   Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. Judo provides the means for learning self-confidence, concentration, and leadership skills, as well as physical coordination, power and flexibility

Visually Impaired Athletes in Judo Competition 

British Open 2001, section for the Visually Impaired  Blind competitors have competed at the local level for years and at the national level, in both Kata and shiai.  Blind competitors also complete in international tournaments and world championships for the blind.  However, there has always been a need for uniformity in application of the rules at various events where the visually impaired compete against sighted athletes.  Training for the visually impaired competitor should include specific instruction on rules applicable to their participation.  As more visually impaired athletes take part in tournaments, referees and sighted athletes will also need to be familiar with the adaptations required for matches involving a blind athlete. Competition specifically for visually impaired competitors is governed by the International Blind Sports Association IBSA and by USABA in the United States.  Both organisations have similar rules based on adaptations to the current International Judo Federation rules. 

Visual Classification

OLYMPIC CREED

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

The words of the Olympic creed are attributed to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

The games lasted for approx 1000 years.

The first recorded Ancient Olympic Games were in 776BC held in Greece. You can still see the Olpmbia (Olympia) 200 meter track and stadium which is entered by way of an arched tunnel. The stadium accommodated 20,000 spectators, you can also still see the Hippodrome museum on site.

You can visit Olympia on a day trip from Zante. Which is an holiday island destination in Greece just off the mainland.