Judo news by topic
Dan grades, refereeing, ranking, safeguarding, doping and federation decisions.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The International Judo Federation now validates dan grades awarded by national federations, with set fees and examination requirements, under a two-year transition through 2027.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
Habib Sissoko received his 8th Dan diploma from IJF President Marius Vizer at the Baku 2026 World Judo Championships, after the IJF's official grading list dated the grade to 2025.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The IJF Athletes' Commission ran its first dedicated booth at the Baku World Championships, where chair Kim Polling collected anonymous feedback, built up the commission's Telegram and WhatsApp channels and pushed for mental-health support.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The Erasmus+ DATA project, which the European Judo Union takes part in, held its Lisbon conference on digital transformation in sport on 30 September, drawing 2,065 online participants and 75 attending in person.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The IJF World Ranking List is points-based: results keep 100% of their value for the first 12 months, 50% after that, and expire at 24 months. Ahead of the 2026 Baku World Championships the seven women's categories each look different, and the points model explains why a ranking can move without the athlete competing.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high in 2026. For judo, a close-contact indoor sport, vaccine hesitancy carries risks onto the tatami — and Jita Kyoei points the way.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The IJF awarded Kazuhiro Mikami the 10th dan in Lausanne, sixty years after he arrived in Switzerland to promote judo. The Kodokan had awarded him the 9th dan in 2022.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
The European Judo Union has launched a free SAFE COMBAT online course covering safeguarding, violence prevention, weight management, concussion and injury prevention for combat sports clubs.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
Judo Australia will launch a public sanctions register on 5 August 2026, allowing members, clubs and event organisers to verify current disciplinary sanctions affecting eligibility.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after an out-of-competition doping test returned an adverse analytical finding for an anabolic steroid.
Judo News / Rules & Governance
World Judo Tour referee Lisa Rivers appeared before a UK Parliament committee to discuss routes for women into officiating, coaching and other professional roles in sport.
