Para Judo

Para Judo is a modified version of traditional judo specifically designed for athletes with visual impairments. The main difference is that competitors must maintain physical contact by gripping each other's judogi (uniform) before the referee signals the start of the match. This prevents blind or partially sighted judoka from losing their opponent during the bout.

In Paralympic judo, athletes are divided into classifications based on their level of visual impairment, ranging from totally blind to partially sighted. In matches featuring totally blind athletes, the judogi features a textured mat on the shoulders so competitors can feel each other's grips. These classifications ensure fair competition among athletes with varying degrees of vision.

Para Judo was introduced as a demonstration sport for male athletes at the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games, making it one of the earliest sports adapted for visually impaired competitors. Women's events were officially added to the Paralympic program much later, debuting at the 2004 Athens Games. It has since become a staple of the Summer Paralympics.

Because visually impaired judoka cannot see the boundary lines of the competition area, Para Judo relies heavily on auditory cues and tactile feedback. The referee uses specific vocal commands to guide the athletes and stop the match if they get too close to the edge. Additionally, coaches are not allowed to shout instructions from the sidelines, ensuring athletes rely solely on referee cues.