Athens 2004 Paralympic Games

JUDO

Although Judo is a martial art, its practice and methods are based around gentleness. Giving way to the strength of the opponent, adapting to and using it to your advantage, will achieve victory over the opponent.

“When a stronger man pushes me with all his might, I will be beaten if I simply go against him. If, instead of opposing his pushing I retreat more than he pushes or turn aside the direction of his pushing, he naturally leans forward through his own pushing and loses his balance, and if utilizing his pushing strength I apply a certain technique on him, it is quite possible to make him fall, as he is losing his balance. Sometimes he will fall merely if I turn my body skillfully. This is one simple instance of how, by giving way, a contestant may defeat his opponent. There in lies the principle of gentleness”.
Jigoro Kano, What is Judo, Kodokan, 1947.

Description

The two judokas (athletes) one in a white and one in a blue uniform (judogi) - compete for five minutes. In Paralympic Judo, the athletes are blind or vision-impaired. They are guided by their touch, sensibility, instinct and sense of balance. A main referee and two more judges arbitrate a Judo contest. All officials are of equal status and calls are decided by vote. The main referee calls all points and penalties while performing the designated hand gestures. The referee gives the signal for the beginning of the match after the two athletes have come into contact.

To win the contest a judoka must score an Ippon (a degree equalling 10 points) by using a successful technique. If none of the judokas completes an Ippon by the end of the game, the winner is the one to have scored the greatest value point.

Judo at the 2004 Paralympic Games

During the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games, Judo competitions will be staged in the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall, which has a seating capacity of 8,000. Competition events will take place within the span of three days (September 18-20). A total of 120 Judo athletes, 84 men and 36 women will compete in the Athens Paralympic Games.

reprinted with permission