Visually Impaired Judo
Visually impaired judo is for anyone who suffers from a visual impairment (VI), which can be broadly be defined as someone who has limitations in one or more function to the eye or visual system.
The rules for VI judo are the same as mainstream judo with one exception, visually impaired judoka start competing gripped together, as opposed to the off-grip technique used in non-VI competition.
Whether you’re a judoka, parent, coach, or club leader, there’s a place for you in the VI Judo community. If you have any questions or require more information about joining, training, or making your club more inclusive. please contact JudoScotland’s Disability Development Officer, Stephen Somerville – StephenSomerville@judoscotland.com
Visual Impairment Classification
There are three classifications of visual impairments which are recognised in VI judo:
- B1 (Blind): No sight; requires constant verbal/tactile orientation.
- B2 (Severe): Very limited shapes; needs contrast and voice cues.
- B3 (Moderate): Functional vision; starts every exchange with secure grip.
All VI contests follow IJF Para-Judo rules and feed into the Paralympic pathway.
VI Judo and the Paralympics
Judo is currently the only martial art in the Paralympics. It was first included at the 1988 Games in Seoul for the men and the 2004 Games in Athens for the women.
Each weight category is ‘open’ with players from B1, B2 and B3 classes competing against each other in the same grouping. If an athlete has a red circle on their kit, it indicates that athlete has a B1 level of visual impairment. If an athlete has a yellow circle on their kit, it indicates that athlete is deaf as well as having a visual impairment.
How can I get involved in VI Judo?
Getting involved in Visually Impaired Judo couldn’t be easier! Simply pop along to your local club to start training, or you can contact JudoScotland to see what clubs in your area are suitable.
JudoScotland fully endorses the Sports Inclusion Model (SIM) and aims to provide opportunities for all Judoka wishing to take part at each level of the inclusion model:
- Open- sports participation, training or competition without concession, modification or change.
- Modified – sports participation, training or competition with appropriate adaptations to rules, equipment or setting to facilitate the inclusion of athletes of all abilities.
- Parallel – sports participation, training or competition where athletes are grouped according to ability and/or experience.
- Discrete – sports participation, training or competition that is unique to disability sport, but developmental, meaningful and appropriate to the aspirations of participants.
