Today was the official draw for the judo tournament of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a moment eagerly awaited by all participants and judo fans around the world. After the success of the recent Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games revive the popular fervour that animated the Champ-de-Mars Arena and we are expecting three intense days of sport that will crown the commitment and determination of the 146 judoka from 43 countries present in the French capital.

Present during the draw were Mr Ilgar Rahimov, President of the International Blind Sports Federation, Mr János Tardos, Judo Chair of the International Blind Sports Federation, Dr Lisa Allan, IJF Secretary General and Special Adviser for Para-Judo Paris 2024, Mr Henk Plugge, IBSA Judo Referee Director, Ms Sara Alvarez Menendez, IBSA Judo Sport Director and Mr Alexandre Poutout, Para-Judo Sport Manager Paris 2024.

Ilgar Rahimov

Mr Ilgar Rahimov declared, “Today we are holding the draw of the Paralympic judo tournament. At first glance, this is a routine technical procedure but this draw marks the beginning of the tournament that we have been working towards for several years after the Tokyo Games.

This is the beginning of a tournament that will be held under completely new rules. This tournament will have a totally new status.

I congratulate the IBSA Judo Committee for their excellent work. I thank the Paris Organising Committee and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). I also thank the International Judo Federation for their continued support. Friends, let’s make these competitions unforgettable.”

János Tardos

Mr János Tardos said, “I want to congratulate all judoka who reached the Games and the people who helped them. I’d like to thank the IPC for the excellent decision made after Tokyo to share the vision classes. I thank local organisers for their high-level preparatory work, as well as IBSA for the support and the IJF for the team work with our IBSA Judo Committee that enables the continuous development of judo.

I received a message from the IJF President, Mr Marius Vizer, who wishes athletes, their coaches and the entire professional staff, including the referees, good luck.

I too wish you high-level fights and good luck!”

Dr Lisa Allan

Then Dr Lisa Allan took the floor, “It is a great pleasure to be here in Paris where Mr Poutout and the organising committee are dedicated to producing the para-judo competition at the highest possible standard. We appreciate the commitment and dedication of the IPC, IBSA and Paris 2024 staff, all the technical officials and volunteers as they are vital to the success of the event.” Dr Allan then gave important and useful information to the delegations.

Alexandre Poutout

Mr Alexandre Poutout completed the information that will allow smooth running of the competition in the coming days, while Mr Henk Plugge concentrated on refereeing matters, “On behalf of the IBSA Judo Referee Commissioin, I would like to inform you that we are very happy with the selection of this group of judo referees. They are all very knowledgeable referees with a lot of experience in visually impared judo. I want to thank the IJF for their great support in the selection of this group.

Henk Plugge

Coaches all have a lot of experience too and are all well prepared and informed concerning the Paralympic rules. During this event, we will follow all contests with three commission members, with the help of the video system. We wish you all a fantastic and successful competition.”

It was then the turn of Ms Sara Alavarez Menendez to conduct the technical aspects of the draw. Before doing so, she delivered statistical information. Thus, there will be 146 athletes from 43 countries competing in Paris, (78 men and 68 women), in 16 weight divisions (8 women, 8 men).

Sara Alavarez Menendez

In the next three days the best para-judo athletes in the world will be competing in the Arena Champ-de-Mars for the most awaited Paralympic titles. The die is cast and it is now time for the competition. We will meet on Thursday 4th September at 10:00 am for day one of the para-judo event. We send good luck to everyone and and wish everyone an enjoyable Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

DRAW SHEETS (PDF format) – https://www.paralympic.org/en/paris-2024-paralympics/reports/para-judo