18 January 2025

A PROGRESSIVE FIRST DAY

Adapted Judo

A PROGRESSIVE FIRST DAY

After hours of detailed discussions and collaborative efforts on the opening day of the Adapted Judo Workshop 2025 in Budapest, significant progress was made on several key topics. Participants engaged in an in-depth exchanges of ideas, addressing challenges and sharing insights to refine various aspects of the rules. Among the attendees was Dr. Lisa ALLAN, Secretary General of the International Judo Federation, who expressed her appreciation for the dedication and hard work of all adapted judo enthusiasts.

By the end of the day, some of the critical points were successfully concluded, laying the groundwork for practical implementation and further innovation in adapted judo. Ms. Marina DRASKOVIC, EJU Adapted Judo Commissioner, outlined the key details finalised during the discussions, emphasising the improvements made to enhance inclusivity and fairness in adapted judo.

We have simplified the categories for Kata, making them more straightforward and simple. Additionally, we revamped the scoring system to adopt a positive approach. Rather than focusing on errors, we now emphasise competitors’ skills and abilities to achieve an overall score.

We also introduced a new structure for the eligibility criteria, which is documented in a framework we are currently developing. The feedback from participants has been instrumental in shaping these updates. As part of the changes, we presented new divisioning guidelines. From now on, competitors must be present during the divisioning process to be eligible to compete.

Another key update concerns the age limits. Previously set as under-16 and over-16, the limits have been revised to a threshold of 15. Additionally, there must not be more than a three-year age difference within the under-15 and over-15 categories, extending up to the age of 21. While some rules are still being finalised, these changes represent a significant step toward ensuring a fairer and more structured competition for all participants.

The second and last day of the meeting will focus on finalising all remaining points and ensuring consensus on key topics. Following the meeting, Dr Allan commended their efforts to promote inclusivity and innovation within the sport, highlighting the importance of their contributions to the broader judo community.

Author: Szandra Szogedi