Para judo
Para judo is judo for blind and visually impaired athletes, following the IJF rules except where the IBSA Judo Rules differ. The main difference is the start: both athletes take a set grip before the referee starts the fight. Athletes must fight with both hands at all times.
Checked 20 October 2026
New to para judo? Start here
How long
Judo for blind and visually impaired athletes, starting from a set grip
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (judo)The top title in judo for athletes with a vision impairment; India won its first medal here in 2024.Every 4 years · Holder: Paris 2024, 16 events: Brazil 4 golds, Ukraine 3
- 2Asian Para Games (para judo)Asia's para multi-sport title, held after the Asian Games in the same city.Every 4 years · Holder: 22 sports, 501 events
India
Kapil Parmar's bronze in the men's 60 kg J1 in 2024 is India's one Paralympic judo medal [the Paralympic page].
- Para judo at the Paralympic Games: 1 bronze: Kapil Parmar, men's 60 kg J1, 2024
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaPara judo at the Paralympic Games: 1 bronze (latest 2024)
- JapanPara judo at the Paralympic Games: 14 golds, 10 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2024)
- ChinaPara judo at the Paralympic Games: 11 golds, 11 silvers, 9 bronzes (latest 2024)
- BrazilPara judo at the Paralympic Games: 9 golds, 11 silvers, 13 bronzes (latest 2024)
- AzerbaijanPara judo at the Paralympic Games: 11 golds, 3 silvers, 6 bronzes (latest 2024)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), IBSA Judo Rules, January 2025 |
| International federation | IBSA |
| In India | Indian Blind and Para Judo Association, set up about 14 years before 2024, for visually impaired judo |
Where and when it is played
The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years (classes J1 and J2) and the IBSA Judo World Championships.