2026 Ohio Judo Championships

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)