Balance, mental focus and tactics meet technique, agility and leverage in this frenetic display of explosive throws. The objective – to take your opponent down using control, not brute force.
With its origins in Japan, the literal translation of the word ‘Judo’ is ‘gentle way’. While this is reflected by its status as a combat sport that prohibits punching, kicking or striking the opponent, don’t be fooled into thinking there’s a shortage of high-octane action.
Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances
Judo is now a core sport in the Commonwealth Games programme. It was previously excluded in 2018 at the Gold Coast but, has now been reinstated as a core sport. Birmingham 2022 will be the fourth time Judo has been contested following appearances at Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014.
Judo Scoring Format
There are two ways of scoring in Judo. An ‘Ippon’ (one full point) which automatically ends the bout and, a ‘waza-ari’ which is a half point – two of which would win the match.
An Ippon is earned by throwing an opponent onto their back with ‘control and power’; or for a pin lasting 20 seconds. You can also earn an Ippon by causing the opponent to submit to a chokehold or arm lock.
Waza-ari is awarded for a throw that is successful but, is deemed to lack control or power; or for a pin lasting under 20 seconds.
After taking to the tatami, regulation bouts last four minutes for both males and females.
The practice of Judo techniques help people develop basic and fundamental physical fitness, such as the development of strength, flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive power, and endurance.
Commonwealth Venue – Coventry Stadium, Judds Lane, Coventry
Since officially opening in 2005, Coventry Stadium and Arena has become a world-class destination in Coventry. The Stadium can accommodate more than 32,500 spectators, with the capacity rising to 40,000 for music events. It is also home to Premiership Rugby Team Wasps and Coventry City FC.
Games Schedule – Monday 1 August to Wednesday 3 August
Monday 1 August: 10:00 – 14:00
Women’s -48kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Women’s -52kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Women’s -57kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -60kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -66kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Monday 1 August: 17:00 – 19:45
Women’s -48kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -60kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -48kg: Medal Ceremony
Women’s -52kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -60kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s -66kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -52kg: Medal Ceremony
Women’s -57kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -66kg: Medal Ceremony
Women’s -57kg: Medal Ceremony
Tuesday 2 August:10:00 – 13:00
Women’s -63kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Women’s -70kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -73kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -81kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Tuesday 2 August:17:00 – 19:45
Women’s -63kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -73kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -63kg: Medal Ceremony
Women’s -70kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -73kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s -81kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -70kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s -81kg: Medal Ceremony
Wednesday 3 August: 10:00 – 13:00
Women’s -78kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Women’s +78kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -90kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s -100kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Men’s +100kg: Preliminary Rounds Quarter-finals Semi-finals and Repechage
Wednesday 3 August:17:00 – 19:45
Men’s -90kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -78kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -90kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s -100kg: Medal Contests
Women’s -78kg: Medal Ceremony
Women’s +78kg: Medal Contests
Men’s -100kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s +100kg: Medal Contests
Women’s +78kg: Medal Ceremony
Men’s +100kg: Medal Ceremony
Athletes Taking Part
Team England:
Acelya Toprak, Amy Platten, Ashley McKenzie, Daniel Powell, Emma Reid, Gemma Howell, Harry Lovell-Hewitt, Jamal Petgrave, Jemima Yeats-Brown, Kelly Petersen-Pollard, Lachlan Moorhead, Lele Nairne, Rhys Thompson and Sam Hall.
Team England’s Judo roster consists of athletes with previous Commonwealth Games and European Championships experience. 14 athletes will make up the host nation’s Judo team.
Team Scotland:
Alexander Short, Billy Rodman, Chris Sherrington, David Ferguson, Dylan Munro, Finlay Allan, Hannah Wood, Kirsty Marsh, Malin Wilson, Rachel Tytler and Sarah Adlington.
Gold medallists at Glasgow 2014, Sarah Adlington and Chris Sherrington, lead an exciting line-up of 11 Team Scotland Judoka. The remaining nine Judoka all make their debuts as the sport returns to the Games programme.
Team Wales:
Ashleigh Barnikel, Callum Bennett, Daniel Rabbitt, Gregg Varey, Jasmine Hacker-Jones and Natalie Powell.
Team Wales’ Natalie Powell is a returning Commonwealth champion and, is joined by five debutants. Gregg Varey, at the age of 33, makes his Commonwealth Games debut having narrowly missed out in 2014. For Varey, this will be his final year competing as he will retire from competition, having recently taken on a coaching role at Team Bath.
Team Northern Ireland:
Callum Nash, Eion Fleming, Joshua Green, Nathon Burns, Rachael Hawkes, Sarah Hawkes and Yasmin Javadian.
Team Northern Ireland also have a returning Glasgow 2014 competitor in Eoin Fleming. Fleming narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in Glasgow, after being defeated by South Africa’s Jacques van Zyl. Fleming is joined by six debutants including Nathon Burns, Joshua Green and Rachael Hawkes who, were all recently in action at the European Championships in Sofia.
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