Competition Pathway

British Judo provide opportunities for all participants to be fully inclusive.

BJA Inclusion, in addition to supporting all minority groups, has the remit to promote judo for all players that through statemented cognitive disorder and or physiological type or infirmity, cannot aspire to the highest levels of the mainstream pathway.

One of the pathways British Judo provide is Adaptive Judo, where all participants who have a disability can be catered for within a club and or competition environment.

Judo clubs provide the beginning to participation in a nurturing and developmental environment building confidence within their own individual ability to achieve progression through grading structure and competitions.

Competition Pathway

There are 5 levels that cater for your child/athletes level of ability.  Ranging from athletes with cognitive challenges to physical disabilities.

  • Level 1 (Most Able Player) A judoka who can train and compete with mainstream players on club level. Has a good understanding of the meaning and goal of the competition. Capable of taking part in mainstream national and international competitions.
  • Level 2 (More Able Player) A judoka who can train and take part in light competition (RANDORI) with mainstream players. Understands the meaning and goal of the competition. Capable of taking part in mainstream local competitions and tournaments.
  • Level 3 (Medium Player) A judoka who can take part in training with mainstream players but only competes in adaptive competitions with athletes of the same level. Understands most of the rules, meaning and goal of the competition.
  • Level 4 (Medium/Less Able Player) An athlete who is only capable of taking part in special training and competitions. This athlete needs guiding during the competition but understands most of the rules and goal of a competition.
  • Level 5 (Less Able Player) An athlete who is only capable of taking part in special training and competitions with specialist care. This judoka needs a lot of guidance during the competition.

The competition might need to be adjusted to the competitors. Due to safety considerations this judoka may be restricted to compete only on the ground (ne-waza).


To give the players the best event that is possible, levels may be combined in the following way:

  • Level 1 players may compete against Level 2 players,
  • Level 2 players may compete against Level 1 players and Level 3 players,
  • Level 3 players may compete against Level 2 players and Level 4 players,
  • Level 4 players may compete against Level 3 players and Level 5 players,
  • Level 5 players may compete against Level 4 players.

Inclusive for all, participants with disabilities are eligible to enter mainstream events and following British Judo Performance pathways, the Disability pathway has been integrated with the support where required.

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