All BJA Competitions must comply to certain standards depending on the level of competition.  The BJA has a Tournament Licencing scheme, tournaments range from 1 to 5 star events.  Full details of the standards for each level of event are laid out in the BJA Tournament Handbook.

The British Judo Association allows competitive judo from the age of 8.  There are various levels of competitions taking place throughout Great Britiain most weekends.

Junior Level U16

• Mini-Mons

This level of competition is designed for genuine beginners at a junior level.  The maximum grade allowed is normally 6th mon.  Certain mini-mons may have a grade category that caters for children higher than 6th mon but this is normally advertised on the entry form.

Children entering mini-mons will normally be expected to have graded at least once in the last six months.  This is to stop under-graded players entering.  You will be expected to show your record book at weighing-in.

• Junior Closed/Open Competitions

Junior compeitions cover a wide range of age, grade and skill levels.  They tend to be for U16's but some events cater for U18's.  The U18's will generally be billed as youth events.

Care should be taken to check the entry form for an event carefully to ensure that you comply with age and/or grade restrictions when entering theses events.  It is advisable that you check with the tournament organiser to ensure that the competition caters for your level of judo.

Please note that Junior events that cater for players over 16 yrs of age will include arm-locks and strangles for weight catagories above and including -55kg for boys and -44kg for girls.

Closed competitions are normally restricted to players living/training in the area stated.  For example;  The Surrey County Closed will be open only to players living/training in the county.  You should check with the tournament organiser on the exact criteria for entry as some counties/areas insist you are a resident of that county/area whilst others insist you train at a club registered in that county/area.

For most Junior events you must hold a BJA Junior Licence. However events that also cater for U18's do allow for either a junior or senior licence to be held for players under 16.  Please check the licence requirements with the tournament organiser.

• British Championships (formally National Age Bands)

This competition is split by age and weight there is a minimum grade requirement at each age level. Medallists from certain age categories form the following years British Cadet Squad. 

It has recently been announced that the British Championships will revert back to the Area and Home Country Squad system for entry. This will be with effective from this year’s event – taking place on the 10th & 11th October 2009 at iceSheffield.

The change means that players will not be able to enter the event automatically but will have to qualify through and be nominated by their respective Area or Home Country.

Each Area and Home Country will run a trials tournament prior to the British Championships to determine the final team. Further details will be communicated by Area and Home Countries in due course.

Commenting

Some areas provide assistance on entry for area squad players.  Please contact your area to see if your area provides any assistance.

• Area contact details

Senior Level 16+

• Senior Closed/Open Compeitions

Senior competitions cover a wide range of grade and skill levels.  You should check the entry form carefully to ensure that you comply with any grade restrictions when entering these events.  It is advisable that you check with the tournament organiser to ensure that the competition caters for your level of judo.

Closed competitions are normally restricted to players living/training in the area stated.  For example;  The Surrey County Closed will be open only to players living/training in the county.  You should check with the tournament organiser on the exact criteria for entry as some counties/areas insist you are a resident of that county/area whilst others insist you train at a club registered in that county/area.

You will be required to hold a Senior BJA Licence to enter senior competitions.

• British Open Championships

The British Open Championships is the BJA's Premier Event.  It attracts players of a very high skill level from all over the world.

Players must be a minimum grade of 1st Dan for Men and 1st Kyu for Women.

British players must be members of the BJA or affiliated organisation.  International players must be members of their country's IJF member federation.

• British Closed Championships refereed to National Grand Finals & National Young Mens & Womens Trials

As these competitions are British Closed events all competitors must hold British Citizenship. 

The National Young Mens & Young Womens Trials - The medallists from this event form the British U20 Men & Womens Teams.

 

Veterans/Masters Events

This is a fast growing competition area of judo.  These competitions are generally aimed at players 30+.

Most of these competitions or age banded - 30+, 35+, 40+ etc. 

• British Masters Championships

The British Judo Association has a British Masters Squad.  This Squad is formed from the medallists at this event.

• Terms of reference for the British Masters Squad