JUNIOR-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

CHAMPIONSHIP information regarding competition in multiple categories and method of awarding points.

1. For Bantam, Intermediate, and Juvenile athletes: Athletes must first compete in their true age/weight division. In addition, the athlete may CHOOSE to compete in the next higher weight division/same age and have the bonus option of moving up to the next age category in the nearest weight division based on their true weight.

Examples: An athlete in Bantam 2. 19kg may enter Bantam 2, 23 kg and (or) Bantam 3, 21 kg.

A male athlete in Juvenile 48 kg may enter Juvenile 53kg and (or) Cadet 50kg.

EXCEPTION: If an event is used as an International TRIALS event, athletes will not be allowed to move up to the next age category if that category is a TRIALS category.

Example: A Juvenile cannot move up to Cadet if the event is a TRIALS event for Cadets.

2. Entry forms and fees must be submitted for each division.

3. Points will be earned in all divisions. Points earned in an older age category will be used for ranking purposes but cannot be used for International Team selection until the athlete becomes old enough to qualify for that age category.

4. The Bantam “+” weight and lowest weight may be split into two divisions in the interest of safety. If this is done, only the heaviest weight group will earn points. Tournament Directors reserve the right to disallow moving up in age or weight if they feel it is unsafe because of large differences in weights.

5. Cadet athletes may compete in both Cadet and IJF Junior categories. Points earned in Cadet will be applied to Cadet and points earned in IJF Junior will be applied to IJF Junior. Entry forms and fees must be submitted for each division.

Clarification: Junior athletes who earn points earned in the Senior category will have those points applied to their Senior division.

For USA Athletes, points on the USA Judo national rosters will be awarded in accordance with the current USA Judo point system. To receive points on the USA Judo Roster you must be a member of USA Judo prior to the event. Criteria can be found at https://www.usajudo.com/athletes/juniors/national-ranking-rosters-2023#USA_Judo_Point_Roster_Criteria

CHAMPIONSHIP AND NOVICE AGE CATEGORIES AND WEIGHT DIVISIONS

Listed below are the age and weight categories of competition. EACH AGE CATEGORY IS BASED SOLELY ON THE YEAR IN WHICH THE CONTESTANT WAS BORN. THE CONTESTANT’S ACTUAL AGE ON THE DAY OF COMPETITION IS IRRELEVANT. For each category, a contestant must be born in the appropriate year as defined below. All Weights listed below are in kilograms. For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed. Example: Intermediate, 34 kg – over 31 kg and up to and including 34 kg. 

Years of Birth              Gender  Championship Weight Divisions

IJF Junior Born 2004-2009     

M           60          66          73          81          90          100     +100 Kg 

F             48          52          57          63          70          78       +78 Kg   

Cadet Born 2007-2009         

M           50          55          60          66          73          81          90       +90 Kg

F             40          44          48          52          57          63          70      +70 Kg

Juvenile Born 2010-2011 

M           36          40          44          48          53          58          64       +64 Kg

F             36          40          44          48          53          58          64       +64 Kg

Intermediate Born 2012-2013              

M           28          31          34          38          42          47          52        +52 Kg

F             28          31          34          38          42          47          52       +52 Kg

Bantam-6 Born 2014             

M/F        27          31          35          39          44              +44 Kg   

Bantam-5 Born 2015             

M/F        25          29          33          37          41              +41 Kg   

Bantam-4 Born 2016              

M/F        22          26          30          34          38              +38 Kg   

Bantam-3 Born 2017              

 M/F        21          25          29          +29 Kg                                

Bantam-2 Born 2018              

 M/F        19          23          +23 Kg                                              

Bantam- 1 Born 2019                        

 M/F        18          22          +22 Kg

Junior Novice Eligibility, Age and Weight Categories, and Belt--Rank Requirements

Eligibility:

1.  Novice Category athletes must not have medaled in 2023 at any of the USA Judo        National Novice events. (Youth Nationals, Jr. Olympics, President’s Cup)

2.  Novice Category athletes that medaled in 2024 at any US National Event (Youth            Nationals, Jr. Olympics) may still participate in the 2024 US Open Novice.

3.  Novice Athletes that are on the USA Judo Elite National Roster cannot participate             in the Novice Category in the 2024 US Open.

4.  Novice Athletes that medaled at the 2023 US Open cannot participate in the 2024           US Open Novice.

Violators are subject to disqualification from the entire event with no refunds.

Rank Requirements: Bantam-1 through Bantam-6: Yellow and White ONLY; All other Junior categories: Orange, Yellow, White ONLY.

Weight Divisions: Same as Championship category.  

Ages: Same as those listed above for the Championships.

Rules: Same as those for the Championships with the exception that there will be NO chokes or armlocks allowed in the Novice divisions.

Match Scheduling Conflicts: Some athletes will be competing in more than one division on the same day.  For example, Novice and Championship.  Tournament staff will attempt to schedule the divisions as far apart as possible to avoid conflicts, but this is not guaranteed.  The standard “no show” protocol will apply if an athletes fail to appear because they are competing in another division at the same time.

On Sunday, July 28, in order to provide more matches for the athletes and excitement for all, there will be a new-style tournament  called The Golden Score Tournament . 

See Golden Score Tournament Specific information on main menu for additional information