Participation in Competition & Competitive Dan Gradings with Prosthetic Limbs

To ensure the safe and inclusive participation of Judoka with lower limb prosthetics in British Judo competitions, a formal application and approval process has been established.

This process outlines the necessary steps for competition entry, medical verification, equipment authorisation, and communication with event organisers and officials. It is designed to support the Judoka’s inclusion while maintaining safety and fairness across all competitive levels, ensuring that all stakeholders—Judoka, coaches, referees, and medical teams—are fully informed and prepared.

Process of application and approval

1. Judoka identifies a competition they wish to enter (requires clarification on competition level Judoka can enter, e. based on grading of the Judoka and weight category).
2. Competition entry form requires indication that a Judoka with a lower prosthetic limb (full description, g. leg below or above knee). The entry form is required by the BJA events team, regional event organiser and or Area Director of Examiners.
3. Information supplied the by Judoka, as part of their competition entry form along with supporting medical report from Judoka Prosthesis (prosthetic limb specialist that supports the individual Judoka’s specific limb requirements). Including evidence of sport specific prosthetic adaptions.
4. BJA Events Team and/or club/region forward the entry to the Head of Safeguarding, Inclusion & Wellbeing (HISW) for confirmation that Judoka can enter.
5. HISW signs off entry.
6. Judoka informed that they could enter with written
7. Judoka would present written confirm at point of registration on competition day,
8. Registration desk will inform officials, referees and medical staff of Judoka specific prosthetic needs before competition on the mat

Advice from the National Referees Commission (NRC):

• First-Time Registration: Judoka with a prosthetic should complete a registration process with head office before competing in any event.

This will ensure they are known, queries are resolved, and proper authorisation is given and recorded. Where event organisers are contacted directly, they refer this to the head office contact.

• Authorisations: Judoka should receive instructions and an authorisation letter, including guidance on how to enter competitions and what to expect. In time, it may be possible to include relevant details on their membership record accessible to officials.

It will need to be very clear what has been authorised, both in terms of the actual devices themselves and any protective covers that must be worn. It may be necessary to have some form of signed declaration by the Judoka or their representatives that they will only wear authorised devices and protective covers and will not wear anything unauthorised. This is because it isn’t going to be appropriate for officials (or at least the referees) to be verifying they comply.

• Competition Entry: Event organisers may not consistently update entry forms to capture the information sought (even against best practice), so proactive communication is needed by the entrant to alert the organisers that a Judoka with a prosthetic limb is entering so correct arrangements can be put in place to accommodate them.

It should not be necessary to require advance notification to event organisers for prosthetics, as no special arrangements need to be put in place. It would only be necessary to declare the prosthetic and show the authorisation letter at registration or weigh-in.

Prosthetics Specific Considerations:

• Lower Upper limbs: The NRC understands requests to date have been regarding leg prosthetics. Further consideration may be necessary re: the dynamics for arm prosthetics, although we are not opposed.
• Clearance for Prosthetics: Head office will likely need to approve the specific prosthetic device to be used any device. Not all prosthetics that are cleared for general sports use may be suitable for judo due to safety concerns (e.g., external hard or metal fastenings). For this reason, the prosthetic should be declared safe for judo.
• Prosthetic coming loose: In case of a prosthetic coming loose or falling the referee will call mate at the earliest possible time, but without interrupting the immediate judo As an example, if an osaekomi is in progress, it would be allowed to finish, rather than disadvantaging a judoka.
• Refitting Prosthetics: In case of a prosthetic coming loose or falling away, Judoka should be allowed to refit their prosthetic quickly on the mat rather than leaving the mat, if possible, or leave the mat to refit it at the medical table if they Both should be acceptable.

They may use a reserve device (if it is approved), if they have one available.

If it is not possible to refit the device (or do so within a reasonable time), the Judoka will lose by kiken-gachi. Referees will judge ‘a reasonable time’ as they would for any other medical intervention, like a bleed. 

Risk assessment template – including both Judoka with prosthetic limb vs non prosthetic limb Judoka

 Guidance for officials and referees at competitions

The wearing of lower limb prosthetics is permitted, subject to prior authorisation of the devices on application to BJA Head Office. This ensures the safety and suitability of each device worn in competition. Referees must be informed where these devices are to be worn in advance of each contest by technical officials. Wearing an unauthorised device is prohibited.

1. Registration desk will inform officials and referees of Judoka specific prosthetic needs before competition on the With appropriate information shared with medical team at the event.
2. When the coaches and referees have their pre competition meeting to discuss the rules and safeguarding at the start of an event, specific needs of Judoka with prosthetic limb will be discussed as a reminder regarding the risk assessment
3. Referees and officials will brief opponents coach on registration and risk assessment completed,
4. Referee will complete final observation of Judoka measurers in place (as outlined in risk assessment) before entry onto mat
5. Time to be considered if prosthetic limb does come off in competition and leaving the mat to re With medical support and assessment if required before returning to the mat.
6. In this case Referee will complete final observation of Judoka measurers in place and via agreement of medical staff that Judoka is safe to continue (as outlined in risk assessment) before entry onto mat area

Rulebook and Guidance Updates:

• Rule Wording: Wording for the rules need to be drafted and approved by the NRC in advance, Progressive Events Commission will need to agree the process for implementation in the Tournament
• Responsibilities and Timeframes: Clear guidelines are needed on roles, responsibilities, timelines, and actions for officials, medical staff, and Judoka.
• Referees’ Awareness: Referees should be fully informed about the presence of prosthetic devices in advance of the contest (we suggest by the Tournament Director or their team).
• Refusal to Compete: If a Judoka has been validly authorised to compete and another Judoka refuses to face them, it should be considered a forfeit by the unwilling

Lower limb prosthetics

Where a prosthetic limb becomes loose or detaches it must be refitted. The athlete may choose to refit their prosthetic quickly on the tatami themselves or leave the tatami to refit it at the medical table, with or without assistance.

If a prosthetic limb becomes loose or detaches during the contest, the referee will call mate at the earliest safe time, but without interrupting the immediate judo action. As an example, if an osaekomi is in progress, it would be allowed to finish to avoid disadvantage.

Another approved reserve device may be used, if available. If refitting cannot be completed within the standard time allowed for medical interventions (e.g., bleeding), the athlete will lose by kiken-gachi.

Referee Responsibilities

Referees are not responsible for inspecting or determining the fitness of prosthetics. Their role is to intervene only if an issue arises and refer the athlete to medical staff.

If medical advice is given that it is inappropriate for the athlete to continue, the referee will end the contest by kiken-gachi.

If the tatami requires cleaning, referees will request cleaning by the medical or event team before resuming the contest. Similarly, if a judogi is soiled, the referee will require the athlete to change it promptly, in line with procedures for rips or bleeds.

Refusal to compete

An opponent refusing to compete against an athlete wearing an authorised device will forfeit the contest by fusen-gachi or kiken-gachi, depending on the timing of the refusal.