After the Tokyo Paralympics, the new eye classes were introduced in IBSA/Parajudo. This generated a new situation because new weight categories had to be created.

Compared to the previous categories (13 medal events: seven men’s and six women’s), as a compromise, only four weight categories were created separately for each eye category and gender. But at the same time, the number of medal events increased to 16. Since then, the weight category boundaries have been the subject of much debate.

The IBSA Judo Committee discussed the issue and weight distribution principles in the first meeting in Baku (2022). At the subsequent meeting in Rotterdam (2023), the specific weight limits were already on the agenda. At that time, a proposal was also made to ask for a medical opinion.

The Medical Commission’s professional standpoint supported the committee’s proposal regarding the new weight categories. The committee’s online vote was unanimous. It supported and accepted the new weight categories.

The weight categories are:

 Women

• 52 kg
• 60 kg
• 70 kg

+    70 kg

Men

• 70 kg
• 81 kg
• 95 kg

+    95 kg