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Venue: ExCeL
Dates: Thursday 30 August – Saturday 1 September 2012
Medal events: 13
Athletes: 132 (84 men, 48 women)
Developed from jujitsu and established as a sport in the late 19th century by Dr Jigoro Kano, Judo requires athletes to employ an intricate mix of attack and defence. Contested at the Paralympic Games by visually impaired athletes, the sport’s one-on-one battles can be tough, tense and explosive, as competitors grapple for command against determined opponents.
Judo contests last five minutes, with scores awarded for different throws and holds. However, a contest ends immediately if a competitor is awarded ‘ippon’ – the maximum score. If the scores are tied after five minutes, the contest enters a golden score period, when the first score of any sort wins. At the Paralympic Games, the main difference from other top-level Judo competition is that judoka (athletes), who all have visual impairments, are allowed to have contact with their opponent before each contest begins.
All of the Judo events at the London 2012 Paralympic Games will be played in a knockout format with double repechage, and will end with two finalists going head to head in the gold medal contest. Athletes who have previously been defeated by these two finalists will compete in repechage contests, with the winners of the repechage table finals fighting the losers from the opposite tables for the two bronze medals.Judo first featured on the Paralympic programme at Seoul 1988, with women’s events introduced 16 years later in Athens. The programme now features seven medal events for men and six for women, covering a range of weight categories.
At London 2012, the Paralympic Judo competition will be held at ExCeL, a multi-purpose events venue that will also host a number of other Olympic and Paralympic sports.
- Hajime: The referee's command to start a contest.
- Judogi: A judo uniform.
- Judoka: A competitor.
- Tatami: The mat.
See the London 2012 Paralympic Games competition schedule
Judo can be enjoyed by participants of all skill levels and abilities. To find out how and where to get started, contact the British Judo Association, or see the Parasport website. For more on the sport in general, check the website of the International Blind Sports Federation.
Find out more about Judo
View live and on-demand Paralympic action.
ExCeL is an existing exhibition and conference centre in London's Docklands. Its five arenas will host a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports during the London 2012 Games.
Name: Ben Quilter
Date of birth: 8 October 1981
Country: Brighton, Great Britain
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Name: Simon Jackson
Date of birth: 28 May 1972
Country: Great Britain
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