NEWS
Announcement
GOZU JUDO TOURNAMENT Vol.3
〓EVENT OVERVIEW〓
Purpose: The GOZU JUDO TOURNAMENT is organized to provide a stage where dedicated adult judoka balancing professional careers, as well as senior judoka who continue to step onto the tatami regardless of age, can compete at their highest level. By bringing together passionate competitors in a challenging and respectful environment, the tournament aims to contribute to the continued growth and development of judo in Japan.
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 9:30 ー 18:00 (Approx.)
Venue: Ohama Daishin Arena (Ohama Gymnasium)
5-7-1 Ohama-Kitamachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka, Japan
Organizer: GOZU JUDO
Main Sponsor: Elbe BMW
Sponsors: CLUBHOUSE, PURE SOY PROTEIN, Ippongi,
U-BASE, Nankai Grill, CROSSFIT NAKAMOZU
Supporting Organizations: Sakai Judo Association, Sakai Tourism & Convention Bureau
※ The start time may be subject to change. The final schedule will be announced at a later date.
〓ELIGIBILITY〓
Competitors must hold a Kodokan Judo rank or possess equivalent technical ability.
※ Athletes listed on the official 2025 Kodokan Cup post-event National Team roster are not eligible to participate in this tournament. We appreciate your understanding.
〓CATEGORIES〓
PRO CLASS
16 selected competitors per weight class will compete in a knockout tournament.
Winners of each weight category will receive a prize of ¥100,000.
Weight Categories: -66kg / -73kg / -81kg / -90kg / +90kg
Selection: Video Screening (Details provided after entry.)
MASTER CLASS
Open to judoka aged 20 and over who hold a judo rank. Competitors will be divided by age and weight category.
The top four finishers in each division will receive awards.
Age Divisions: 20s / 30s / 40 and over
Weight Categories: -66kg / -73kg / -81kg / -90kg / +90kg
〓COMPETITION FORMAT〓
1) All matches will be conducted according to the International Judo Federation (IJF) Judo Refereeing Rules.
2) Matches will be conducted in a knockout tournament format. There will be no repechage matches or bronze medal matches.
※ Depending on the number of participants, a round-robin format may be used.
※ Match brackets will be announced on the official website in mid-November.
PRO CLASS
Match Duration: 4 minutes
Golden Score: Applied
MASTER CLASS
Match Duration: 3 minutes
Golden Score: Not applied
〓WEIGH-IN〓
Date: Saturday, Dec 12, 2026
Official Weigh-in: 10:00 – 10:30
Venue: Ohama Daishin Arena (Ohama Gymnasium) 1F
Regulations: Body weight will be accepted after truncating any amount of 100 grams or less.
Example (-66kg Category) ✔ 66.9kg — Eligible ✘ 67.0kg — Not Eligible
〓JUDOGI REQUIREMENTS〓
All competitors must wear judogi that comply with the following regulations.
◉Judogi Specifications
All judogi must comply with the standards established by the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF).
PRO CLASS
Competitors shall prepare and wear both:
・ White Judogi
・ Blue Judogi
MASTER CLASS
Competitors shall wear a:
・White Judogi
◉Belt Requirements
Competitors must wear a belt bearing either:
・ an IJF Approved Label, or
・ an AJJF Certification Label ("JU" label with a four-digit certification number).
◉For a list of approved judogi, please refer to the official website of the All Japan Judo Federation.
Judogi that do not meet the required specifications or size regulations will not be accepted.
The Organizing Committee will not provide replacement judogi.
〓REGISTRATION〓
Application Process:
Please apply through the designated application form for each class available on the official website.(TBA)
Application Period: Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2026
Entry Fee:
PRO CLASS ¥10,000
(Only for athletes selected through the qualification process)
MASTER CLASS
Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026: ¥5,000
Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2026: ¥7,000
* An early bird discount is available for MASTER CLASS entries submitted during September.
The regular entry fee of ¥7,000 will apply from October.
* Please note that entry fees are non-refundable, even in the event of withdrawal or absence from the competition.
〓CONTACT〓
For inquiries regarding the tournament, please contact the tournament office.
GOZU JUDO TOURNAMENT Office