How long is a judo match?
I · Intermediate · The contest · 1 of 9A judo contest lasts four minutes of real fighting time, for men and women and for seniors, juniors and cadets alike. The clock stops whenever the referee stops the action. The athletes bow to each other, the referee calls "hajime" and they start on their feet.
How it works
- Four minutes of real contest time. If the scores are level, golden score follows with no time limit.
- Rest: an athlete is entitled to 10 minutes between contests.
- Colours: one athlete wears a white judogi and the other blue. White stands on the referee's right and blue on the left.
- The bow: at the referee's signal the athletes step to their starting positions and bow to each other. They bow again after the result. Bowing on entering and leaving the contest area is optional.
- The athletes must not shake hands before the contest starts.
- The start: always standing, with the judogi worn correctly and the belt tied tightly above the hips.
- The last second: the immediate result of a technique started at the latest in the last second of the time counts. A technique applied after the time signal does not, even if the referee has not yet called the end.
Tricky cases
Is a men's contest longer than a women's?
No. Both are four minutes.
A throw began in the last second and landed after the time signal. Does it count?
Yes, if it started no later than the last second and its result was immediate.
Can the athletes shake hands?
Not before the contest. The rules say they "must NOT shake hands before the start".
Why the rule exists
Stopping the clock with every pause makes four minutes mean four minutes of judo. The bow opens and closes the contest with a show of respect for the opponent.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IJF events: seniors, juniors, cadets | Four minutes | J 6 |
| Younger age groups, by IJF recommendation | Three minutes at 13 and 14, two minutes at 11 and 12 | SOR 2.4 |
From the rule book
International Judo Federation Sport and Organisation Rules, Refereeing Rules, Articles 2, 6, 8 and 9, and Section 2.4. Version of 24 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules (PDF).