RULES AND METHOD OF COMPETITION The Championships will be conducted in accordance with the Contest Rules, Organization Code and Sporting Code of the International Judo Federation, with the following modifications:

Competition Method: The standard (“true”) Double Elimination System with winner’s and loser’s brackets will be used. The winner of the loser’s bracket will compete against the winner of the winner’s bracket for 1st and 2nd place. The first one of these two contestants to have two (2) losses will be placed second; the other will be placed first. The loser of the loser’s bracket will be placed 3rd.

Seeding: There will be no seeding. Players having the same club/state affiliation will be placed as far apart in the bracket as possible.

     -Shime-waza rule: Shime-waza (choking) allowed in Juvenile, Cadet, IJF-Junior divisions, Senior & Veterans only.

     -Kansetsu-waza rule: Kansetsu-waza (arm locks) the individual must be Cadet age and above or hold a rank of at least a brown belt.     

     -Injury Rule: Decisions whether an athlete may continue if injured while on the mat, are to be resolved in according to IJF rules; decisions occurring off the mat or not covered by the IJF rules, are to be made by the coach, athlete, and Team Doctor. If there is no unanimous opinion among these three individuals, the athlete may not continue (Board-approved October 22, 1998).

Match lengths

Bantam - 3 minutes

Juvenile - 3 minutes      

Cadets and IJF-Junior - 4 minutes

Senior - 4 minutes

Veterans - M1/F1 - M3/F3  (Ages 30-59)  - 3 minutes / Golden score - no time limit

Veterans - M4/F4 - M6/F6 (Age 60+)  - 2.5 minutes / Golden score - 1 minute

NEW  IJF AGE DIVISIONS  (As of 1/20/2022)  M6/F6 & M7/F7 Modified by USAJudo

F1/M1     -    30-39  as of 2023  

F2/M2    -    40-49  as of 2023

F3/M3    -    50-59  as of 2023

F4/M4    -    60-64  as of 2023  (no shime-waza)

F5/M5     -   65-69  as of 2023   (no shime-waza)

F6/M6     -   70-74  as of 2023    (no shime-waza)

F7/M7      -  75+ (no shime-waza)

Golden Score : Per 2013 IJF rules, Golden Score will be continuous until 1st competitor scores.

Judo gi color: For all divisions, white GI is required. Competitors are responsible for appearing in WHITE GI’s and MUST HAVE THEIR OWN WHITE BELT and BLUE BELT.

All medal winners must be in regulation judo gi or team sweats to accept any and all awards.

Next weight division: Bantam 1 through 6 can compete in their age group/weight and move up to the next weight class within his age group. Athlete can also move to the next age group within his weight. The tournament director reserves the right to make all final decisions on events related to and surrounding these championships.  

ATHLETE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To assure that the requirements for participation in the Championships have been fulfilled, the following forms must be acknowledged and agreed to.

      -Warning, Waiver, Release of Liability and Agreement to Participate      -Division change Authorization, Power of Attorney (if applicable).

Required documentation

- Proof of Age: Must be presented at the tournament site before competition. 

Acceptable proofs of age: Copy of birth certificate, passport, or USA JUDO membership card having the verification symbol “(V)” printed following the birth date. A driver’s license is not proof of age or citizenship!  

- Copy of current USA JUDO (USJI), USJF, ATJA, or USJA membership card. Cards may be purchased on line at www.usjudo.org. Cards may also be purchased on site at event.

***  Payment  for Early Registration is $83.00 or Late Registration $93.00  includes the Service Fee charged by the Service Provider.