Connacht Judo - West of Ireland Open

VENUE:

Kingfisher Club,

Áras Spóirt,

University of Galway,

Upper Newcastle,

Galway,

H91 X53V

DATE: Saturday 7th November 2026

TIME: Competition starts at 10:00

WEIGH-INS:

Friday 6th November 20:00 – 21:00 – Galway Judo Club, Claddagh

Saturday 7th November 08:00 – 09:30 - Kingfisher Club, UOG, H91 X53V

Saturday 7th November Only Seniors not entering KYU categories

12:00 – 12:30 - Kingfisher Club, UOG, H91 X53V

Entry Fee:

Early Bird – closes 23:59 Sunday 1st November 2026:

Seniors, Juniors, Cadets €40

Pre-Cadets & Minors €30

Standard – closes 23:59 Tuesday 3rd November 2026:

Seniors, Juniors, Cadets €45

Pre-Cadets & Minors €35

Additional Categories €10 (all entries)

Tournament Director: Eric O’Donnell - Connacht Judo Council.

NO ENTRY ON THE DAY this includes additional categories

EARLY BIRD ENTRIES CLOSE: 23:59 Sunday 1st November 2026

LAST DATE FOR ENTRIES: 23:59 Tuesday 3rd November 2026

ENTRIES Online: Smoothcomp ONLY

To complete entry, full payment must be completed on the entry form

The automated entry system will shut at 23:59PM Tuesday November 3rd 2026

Programme of Events

Friday 6th November 2026:Official Weigh-in for All Categories 20:00 – 21:00

Venue: Galway Judo Club, Creaven House, Claddagh Quay Claddagh, Galway City H91DN29

For the weigh-in, both male & female judoka must weigh in wearing contest legal judogi trousers and plain round neck t-shirt/rash guard. And a weight allowance of 0.8kg will apply to all judoka.PLAYERS NOT PERMITTED TO CHANGE IN DESIGNATED WEIGH IN AREA. THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE DESIGNATED WEIGH IN AREA

Saturday 7th November 2026:

Official Weigh-in for All Categories 08:00 – 09:30 in Kingfisher Gym, Áras Spóirt, University of Galway, Newcastle Road, Galway, H91 X53V. For the weigh-in, both male & female judoka must weigh in wearing contest legal judogi trousers and plain round neck t-shirt/rash guard. And a weight allowance of 0.8kg will apply to all judoka. Only Seniors not entering KYU categories 12:00 – 12:30

Competition Start Time 10:00 — Minor Boys, Minor Girls & KYU all start at 10:00, followed by Pre-Cadet, Cadet, Juniors & Seniors as the groups are completed.

All judoka are asked to be punctual on the day of competition

Medals will be awarded at the conclusion of each category where permitted.

ENTRY FEES WILL NOT BE REFUNDED – ENTRY LIST WILL BE PUBLISHED.

Categories are subject to amalgamation dependant on entry – Points Scoring Event for 1st KYU & DAN Grades

Competition Particulars:

Coaches: In order for Coach Accreditation to be issued; only IJA/EJU/IJF approved coaches can obtain Accreditation. Please note only IJA affiliated & qualified (Level 1 or higher) coaches with valid

Vetting & Safeguarding Certificates will be issued with Coach Accreditation for this event. NIJF Coaches should bring their coach cards/books with them on the day. Coach Accreditation will be ready for collection at the official Weigh-in following closure of online entry (Saturday morning weigh-in for collection). Coach Passes issued are based on Valid Active Coaches listed in the IJA club database subject to a maximum of 4 coach passes per club if applicable. Parents or Volunteers will not be issued Coach Accreditation for this event. ONLY ONE COACH ALLOWED MATSIDE PER PLAYER

Referees: If you are interested in refereeing at this event, we would request that you submit your details directly to: michael.power@irishjudoassociation.ie

Table Officials: If you are interested in volunteering to officiate at tables for this event, we would request that you submit your details directly to the Connacht Judo Council Secretary: connachtjudosecretary@gmail.com

Media: Any person who wishes to photograph the event should apply for accreditation at the official Weigh-in. This is in line with Best Practice regarding Safeguarding for Children in Sport. Media Accreditation will only be issued to those who complete the accreditation form; ID may be required so please bring driver’s licence/passport. Please adhere to this policy.

Accommodation: There is no official hotel for this event. The event location is the west side of Galway City for those looking for local accommodation.

Transfer: All individuals must arrange their own transport.

Anti-Doping: Shall be conducted in conjunction with Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Rules which are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and tests shall be conducted in line with best practices.

Code of conduct: Abuse directed to referees, volunteer staff, participants or attendees will not be tolerated. Each attendee is asked to remain respectful, courteous and to follow directions of the referees, table officials and volunteers associated with the event. Any behaviour deemed in violation of this will result in the person(s) being asked to leave and a report filed with the relevant authorities.

Draw: Will be conducted prior to the event.

Competition Mode: All minor competitors will have a minimum of two fights and either the pool system or double repechage shall be used. For all other competitors, competition will be carried out according to the rules and sporting codes of the IJF/EJU KO system.This competition is only for valid members of the IJA, NIJF, BJA or from any Association affiliated to the IJF (valid licence required at registration).

Judogi & Judogi Control: Women must wear a white non-transparent t-shirt. Bras must not have any hard pieces. Long hair must be tied up with the appropriate elastic band. Make up and jewellery are prohibited. Nails should be cut short. The judogi control will be performed by the referees.Footwear must be worn in the arena at all times other than when competing.

Insurance: The Irish Judo Association will not accept any liability for any loss, damage and/or injury howsoever arising.

Categories:

Minor Group – Born 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (no armlocks or strangles)

Male <24KGS <27KGS <30KGS <34KGS <38KGS <42KGS <46KGS +46KGS

Female <24KGS <28KGS <32KGS <36KGS <40KGS <44KGS <48KGS +48KGS

Pre-Cadets – Born 2012, 2013 (no armlocks or strangles)

Male <34KGS <38KGS <42KGS <46KGS <50KGS <55KGS <60KGS <66KGS +66KGS

Female <36KGS <40KGS <44KGS <48KGS <52KGS <57KGS +57KGS

Cadets – Born 2009, 2010, 2011 (armlocks & strangles)

Male <42KGS <46KGS <50KGS <55KGS <60KGS <66KGS <73KGS +73KGS

Female <40KGS <44KGS <48KGS <52KGS <57KGS <63KGS <70KGS +70KGS

Juniors – Born 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 (armlocks & strangles)

Male <60KGS <66KGS <73KGS <81KGS <90KGS <100KGS +100KGS

Female <48KGS <52KGS <57KGS <63KGS <70KGS <78KGS +78KGS

Seniors – Born 2008 or before (armlocks & strangles)

Male <60KGS <66KGS <73KGS <81KGS <90KGS <100KGS +100KGS

Female <48KGS <52KGS <57KGS <63KGS <70KGS <78KGS +78KGS

Lower KYU – Orange (4th KYU), Yellow (5th KYU) & White (6th KYU) 

Open Weight Categories. 1 Male 1 Female.

Upper KYU – Brown (1st KYU), Blue (2nd KYU) & Green (3rd KYU)

Open Weight Categories. 1 Male 1 Female.