
Judo is a sport that demands a physical and strategic performance, testing the qualities of strength, touch, balance and sensitivity. Firstly, it was a martial art activity for practising mobility-related skills, self-confidence, self-discipline and independence but was gradually established at a competitive level.
Judo was included on the Paralympic Programme for the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games. The sport is widely practiced in over 30 countries by both male and female athletes. The ATHENS 2004 Paralympics was the first time that women's weight categories were offered in Judo. Competitors must use different techniques to overcome or immobilize their opponent. The sport is open to athletes with blindness/visual impairment in several weight categories.
The contest lasts five minutes, for both men and women and the winner is the athlete who scores an ippon or who scores the greater number of points. The sport is governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSF) and follows the International Judo Federation (IJF) rules used at other top-level, able-bodied judo events, with slight modifications for athletes with a visual impairment, which allow them contact with their opponent before the start of the match.
盲人柔道是专门为视力有障碍的运动员设立的项目。比赛分为男、女个人赛和男、女团体赛。该项目使用的规则、场地、比赛形式与健全人柔道基本相同。区别在于,在运动员预备动作时要提前相互提拉住对方的衣襟。这项运动的形式适合于盲人身体功能障碍的局限,易于在盲人体育运动中推广。盲人柔道运动非常具有观赏性,充分体现了盲人运动员身残志坚的拼搏精神。有人说:“盲人柔道项目是盲人唯一可以与健全人抗衡的项目。”