2026 Ohio Judo Championships
Lebanon, OH, United States
Description
OHIO JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS
Countryside YMCA
1699 Deerfield Road
Lebanon, OH 45036
HOTEL:
Sanction USA Judo: 00796
REGISTRATION FEE:
Early register: $40 first division, $25 each additional division (until July 5)
Normal: $50 first division, $35 each additional division (July 6 - August 22)
Late: $70 first division, $50 each additional division (August 23 - September 2)
Banquet $60 (must get tickets by August 15, 2026)
Saturday Schedule:
Kata Check in 8:30 to 9:00AM
Senior & Veteran Check Weight 8:30 to 9:30AM.
Junior Check Weight 8:30 AM to 10:00.
Referee & Coaches Meeting 9:00AM to 9:45AM
Kata competition begins 9:15AM
Opening Ceremonies 10:00AM
Veteran competition begins 10:15 AM
Senior competition begins 10:15 AM
Junior competition begins following Seniors
Hall of Fame Banquet 7:00PM-9:30PM (at The Chop House)
Eligibility:
All contestants must provide a valid USA JUDO, USJF or ATJA card. Foreign contestants must have the proper ID from their home country.Event only USA Judo memberships can be purchased at https://www.usajudo.com/news/2024/april/12/event-onlyp-membership-updates
The Tournament Director reserves the right to make necessary adjustments for the successful operation of the event. The Tournament Director may refuse any entry that is found to contain false information.
SCORING:
True Double Elimination
MATCH TIMES:
All Senior Brown/Black Divisions will be 4 minutes. All others will be 3 minutes.
MATS:
2 Mat Areas will be used
RULES:
The current rules of the International Judo Federation (IJF) as modified by USA Judo.
1. GOLDEN SCORE will apply to ALL DIVISIONS. [Masters and under 12 – GS = 2 minutes]
2. NO Kansetsu Waza allowed in Junior Division
3. Shime waza allowed for 13 yrs. of age and up except for Junior Novice Divisions
4. Kansetsu waza allowed in all advanced senior divisions regardless of age. (min. age for Sr. div. is 15) No Kansetsu waza in novice senior divisions
5. 2002 Medical Rules for Juniors
6. If your name is called first, you must wear a white gi. Second called may wear either a blue gi or white gi with blue belt. If blue gi is used both contestants should wear their regular rank belts.
7. Must be in judo gi to receive your medal
8. Must bring your Own White & Blue Belts
9. Must have Footwear on when you are off the Mat
10. Kata judging will be in accordance with the current IJF Standards
AWARDS:
Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
DIVISIONS:
Junior Girls - Novice (White/Yellow) and Advanced (Orange & up)
Ages 6 & Under Light & Heavy
Ages 7 & 8 Light & Heavy
Ages 9 & 10 Light & Heavy
Ages 11 & 12 Light & Heavy
Ages 13 & 14 Light & Heavy
Ages 15 & 16 Light & Heavy
Junior Boys - Novice (White/Yellow) and Advanced (Orange & up)
Ages 6 & Under Light, Middle, & Heavy
Ages 7 & 8 Light, Middle, & Heavy
Ages 9 & 10 Light, Middle, & Heavy
Ages 11 & 12 Light, Middle, & Heavy
Ages 13 & 14 Light, Middle, & Heavy
Ages 15 & 16 Light, Middle, & Heavy
Veterans [Male] Age Over 35 Veterans [Female] Age Over 35
Light, Middle, & Heavy Light, Middle, & Heavy
Senior Males [Two Divisions]
Novice (White – Green) Advanced (Brown – Black)
Light, Middle, Middle Heavy, Heavy Light, Middle, Middle Heavy, Heavy
Senior Females [Two Divisions]
Novice (White – Green) Advanced (Brown – Black)
Light, Middle, and Heavy Light, Middle, and Heavy
Kata Divisions
Ju No Kata - Katame No Kata - Nage No Kata – Goshin Jitsu – Kime No Kata
Novice Kata Divisions – Ju No (1st 2 sets); Katame No (1st 2 sets); Nage No (1st 3 sets)
(The Tournament Director reserves the right to regroup divisions and make any other
changes necessary for the successful operation of the event.)
Coaches:
Coaching must take place ONLY in the Coach's Chair. One coach per contestant.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:
Russ Scherer rschererjudo@gmail.com
TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR:
Peter Hirt peter@designs-on-display.com
CHIEF REFEREE:
Mike Takata - IJF-A Referee
HEAD KATA JUDGE:
Frances Glaze - IJF Kata Judge and USA Judo A- Level Kata Judge
SPECTATORS FEE:
FREE ADMISSION (Taking Donations for the Officials)
Divisions
- Junior Male$50
- Junior Female$50
- Senior Female$50
- Senior Male$50
- Veterans Male$50
- Veteran Female$50
- Kata$50
- Clinics$25
Organizer
Judan Judo
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 2026 Ohio Judo Championships held?
The event is at Countryside YMCA, 1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon, OH 45036.
What are the registration fees and deadlines?
Early registration is $40 for the first division and $25 for each additional division until July 5. Normal registration is $50 for the first division and $35 for each additional division from July 6 to August 22. Late registration is $70 for the first division and $50 for each additional division from August 23 to September 2.
What is the Saturday schedule?
Kata check-in is 8:30 to 9:00AM. Senior and Veteran check weight is 8:30 to 9:30AM, Junior check weight is 8:30 AM to 10:00, the referee and coaches meeting is 9:00AM to 9:45AM, Kata starts at 9:15AM, opening ceremonies are at 10:00AM, Veteran and Senior competition begin at 10:15 AM, and Junior competition begins following Seniors.
Is there a spectator fee?
Spectator admission is free. Donations for the officials are accepted.
What eligibility requirements apply to contestants?
All contestants must provide a valid USA JUDO, USJF or ATJA card. Foreign contestants must have the proper ID from their home country.
What divisions are offered?
Divisions include Junior Girls and Junior Boys novice and advanced age/weight divisions, Veteran male and female over 35 divisions, Senior male and female novice and advanced divisions, and Kata divisions. Kata divisions listed are Ju No Kata, Katame No Kata, Nage No Kata, Goshin Jitsu, and Kime No Kata, with novice Kata options also listed.
What are the match times and scoring format?
Scoring is True Double Elimination. Senior Brown/Black divisions have 4-minute matches, and all others have 3-minute matches.
What uniform and equipment rules are listed?
If your name is called first, you must wear a white gi. The second called may wear either a blue gi or a white gi with a blue belt, and contestants must bring their own white and blue belts. Competitors must be in judo gi to receive medals and must wear footwear when off the mat.
Are banquet tickets available?
The Hall of Fame Banquet is 7:00PM-9:30PM at The Chop House. Banquet tickets are $60 and must be purchased by August 15, 2026.
Who can be contacted about the tournament?
The Tournament Director is Russ Scherer at rschererjudo@gmail.com. The Tournament Coordinator is Peter Hirt at peter@designs-on-display.com.
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