What happens when a judo player is injured during a contest?
A · Advanced · Penalties and injuries · 2 of 4In judo, calling the doctor usually ends the contest. If an athlete asks for the doctor, or the team doctor asks to come on, the opponent wins by withdrawal. The exceptions are bleeding, which may be treated twice, minor injuries such as a dislocated finger, and a doctor called by the referee.
How it works
Treatment that does not cost the contest:
- Bleeding. An athlete may not compete while bleeding. The doctor stops and covers it, off the contest area. This is allowed on two occasions. A third means the opponent wins, unless the officials authorise an exception.
- A dislocated finger or toe may be put back, by the athlete or with the doctor's help, and taped. The same joint may be reset twice.
- A broken nail may be cut with the doctor's help.
- A blow to the head or back, or a suspected serious injury: the referee calls the doctor on to the mat to examine the athlete as quickly as possible.
Treatment that ends it:
- If the athlete asks for the doctor, or the doctor asks to attend, for anything else, the opponent wins by kiken-gachi.
- A team doctor may step in without being called when an athlete's safety is at risk, for example with a head injury or in a strangle. That also means the loss of the contest.
- An athlete who is ill and cannot continue, or who vomits, loses.
Who loses when an athlete cannot continue:
- If the injury was the injured athlete's own doing, or nobody can tell whose it was, the injured athlete loses.
- If the opponent's action caused it, the referee and supervisors review it and decide under the rules.
Tricky cases
An athlete has a nosebleed. Do they lose?
No. Bleeding may be treated on two occasions. The athlete resumes once it is fully controlled.
An athlete asks for the doctor because of a twisted knee. What happens?
The contest is over. Asking for the doctor for anything outside the listed exceptions gives the opponent the win.
An athlete was hurt by the opponent's illegal technique and cannot go on. Do they lose?
It depends on the review. Where the opponent's action caused the injury, the officials look at the incident and decide the result under the rules.
Why the rule exists
A contest stopped for treatment gives the treated athlete a rest. Making most medical help cost the contest removes any reason to ask for it unless it is needed, and the listed exceptions cover the things that are quick to put right.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IJF rules | As above | J 20; J 19.2 |
| Cadet events | An athlete who passes out in a strangle may not continue in the competition | J 20 |
From the rule book
International Judo Federation Sport and Organisation Rules, Refereeing Rules, Articles 19 and 20. Version of 24 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules (PDF).