After a full year of applying the refereeing rules introduced following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and after a detailed analysis of their impact on elite judo, the IJF Refereeing Commission has released a new explanatory video outlining the rules that will be enforced in the months ahead. The commission is chaired by Armen Bagdasarov and supported by a broad panel of international experts.
The rules remain largely unchanged though, so athletes worldwide will therefore begin their season in continuity with what has been in place over the past year. However, a small number of clarifications and adaptations will be introduced. These adjustments are explained in detail in the newly published video, which aims to ensure a consistent understanding among athletes, coaches, officials and judo fans.
The year 2026 will be a milestone for international judo, as it will mark the beginning of the Olympic qualification period. From the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam onwards, the refereeing rules will be set in stone and will no longer be subject to modification, until the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This stability is intended to provide a clear and predictable framework as athletes embark on the long road towards Olympic qualification.