Senior Competition Opportunities

2009 World Championships Trials  

World Championships

September 2009

Rotterdam, Netherlands

The 2009 USA Judo Senior National Judo Championships (referred to herein as “the nationals”) shall serve as the selection event for the USA Judo Team to the 2009 World Championships.  The Nationals will be held at a location and date to be determined in Spring 2009.

Team USA will include athletes from the following divisions for the World Championships: Women’s 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 70kg, 78kg, +78kg and Open divisions and Men’s 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, +100kg and Open divisions.

Athletes attending the Nationals shall be seeded according to the established USA Judo seeding protocols.  If the #1 seed, in all divisions excluding Open, wins the Nationals he/she shall be the athlete selected in each category of competition.  If the #1 seed does not win Nationals, then that athlete and the winner of the Nationals shall then engage in a best of three contest.  The winner of that fight off shall be the athlete selected for that category of competition. 

If the #1 seed of the Open division is the highest finishing American at the Nationals, he/she shall be the athlete selected in each category of competition.  If the #1 seed is not the highest finishing American, then that athlete and the highest finishing American shall then engage in a best of three contest.  The winner of that fight off shall be the athlete selected for that category of competition. 

In divisions where fight-offs are needed, these matches will take place immediately following the completion of all of the gold medal matches during the same day’s competition.

All athletes have a maximum of 48 hours from the naming of the World Teams to accept or decline their position.

For the divisions in which a best-of-three Trials is held, if the athlete named to the team declines the slot, the nomination will go to the loser of the best-of-three Trials.

If the athlete selected, according to the above criteria, declines for any reason, the person who is then ranked highest on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, reflecting the results of the 2009 Senior National Championships, who participated in the 2009 Senior National Judo Championships, will be the athlete selected.  Subsequent declines will result in a progressive movement down the roster, according to the same criteria.

An athlete who is to be nominated to the World Teams may be removed from the nominations for any of the following reasons, as determined by the Development Committee:

* Voluntary withdrawal.  Athlete must submit a written letter to Eddie Liddie, Director of Coaching and Athlete Development.

* Injury or illness as certified by a USA Judo approved physician (or medical staff).  If an athlete refuses verification of their illness or injury by a USA Judo approved care giver, their injury will be assumed to be disabling and they may be removed.

* Violation of the USA Judo Code of Conduct. 

In order to compete in the 2009 USA Judo Senior National Championships and / or qualify for the World Championships Team, an athlete must be eligible to represent the United States in Olympic or World Championship competition.

2008 Pan American Championships and Olympic Zone Cup Funding Criteria

The following is the criteria for athletes to receive funding for participation on the Pan American Championships and Olympic Zone Cup Teams.  The Pan Ams will be held May 8-9 in Miami, followed by the Olympic Zone Cup on May 11.  Athletes receiving funding must compete in both events. 

Receiving funding is based on the number of International points held by an athlete on the USA Judo Senior National Elite Ranking Roster at the close of the 2008 USA Judo Senior National Championships, April 11-12 in Virginia Beach, Va.   

Fully Funded Athletes

Athletes that have 21 or more International points.

These athletes will receive full funding to the event, including airfare, entry fee and room and board.  Airfare must be booked by USA Judo and must be purchased at least 14 days prior to the event. 

Partially Funded Athletes

Athletes that have accumulated 15 International points, but not more than 20 International points.

These athletes will receive partial funding to the 2008 Pan American Championships and Zone Cup. This funding will include airfare to the event which must be booked by USA Judo at least 14 days prior to the event.  Partially funded athletes will be responsible for providing the cost for their own room and board and other miscellaneous expenses to be assessed at a later date.

Athletes Reimbursement

Athletes that are not fully funded will receive reimbursement upon achieving the following:

Gold Medal

Athletes who win a gold medal at the Pan American Championships will become fully funded athletes regardless of his/her International point level and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred, including flight (if the athlete was not already partially funded), and room and board.  

Silver Medal

Athletes who win a silver medal at the Pan American Championships will receive reimbursement for his/her airfare, not to exceed $500.00 or an amount determined to be reasonable, provided the ticket is purchased within 14 days of departure.  If the athlete is already a partially funded athlete, he/she will receive reimbursement for his/her room and board and other reasonable related expenses.

Non-Olympic Weight Divisions

Athletes who qualify for the Pan American Championships and in non-Olympic weight divisions (44kg, 55kg and Open) are not eligible to receive funding for their participation in the event, including reimbursement or medal awards.

2008 British and Swiss Open Entry Information

The next two European B-Level tournaments will be the Swiss Open, April 19-20, and the British Open, May 2-3.   The deadline for entry into both events is March 24.  Athletes are reminded that all athletes requesting to compete in a B-Level event outside of North America must be ranked on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster or have approval from the USA Judo High Performance Committee.  

Click here for Swiss Open entry information.

Click here for British Open entry information.    

For more information, contact travel@usajudo.us. 

Training Opportunity for Senior Players in Japan

Athletes interested in training in Japan are advised that a 17-day opportunity will be available from March 11-27 at Tsukuba University.  Jason Morris, 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Head Coach Nominee, will be the coach for the trip. Housing is expected to cost $36 / per person per day.  Funding is available for senior elite athletes as follows: 

• Athletes with at least 25 international points in an Olympic weight division on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, dated February 19, 2008, will receive round-trip airfare as well as a $500 stipend for expenses incurred in Japan.
• Athletes with at least 16 international points in an Olympic weight division on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, dated February 19, 2008 will receive round-trip airfare for the trip.

All expenses will be paid on a reimbursement basis upon completion of the trip.  Airfare is reimbursable for a maximum of $1,000. This opportunity also will be an official USA Judo Elite U-23 Team trip with members of the A Team who do not otherwise receive funding through the criteria listed above will be eligible for $750 in reimbursement for expenses.    

A maximum of 25 participants, including staff, will be allowed to attend this training opportunity.  If more than 25 persons request participation, priority will be given to those who meet the funding criteria as well as USA Judo Elite U-23 Team members. 

Athletes interested in participating in this opportunity are asked to contact Jason Morris at silver92@albany.net with a cc to judoteri@yahoo.com by Feb. 29.

International Tournament Procedures

2008 European Tour

Click Here for Complete Selection Procedures

Don't Forget:  All athletes must remit the European Tour Form with their selections. 

2008 European Tour Form (Word Doc)

Below is the schedule for the 2008 European Tour.  Please note that only one U.S. athlete may enter in each weight division and that the European Tour is divided into both spring and fall segments. 

Athletes ranked #1 on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, as of Dec. 10, 2007 have the opportunity to choose their events first, followed by #2 and so on.  Check back frequently as the charts below will be updated as athletes make their European Tour selections. 

For the 2008 European Tour and all 2008 international events a $100 non-refundable charge will be made to your credit card in order to secure your position.  Thirty days prior to the event the balance of the lodging, entry fees, etc. will be charged to your credit card.  This is done so that USA Judo may wire the funds as requested by the international federation.

Please be reminded that registration for the European Tour and any international event a COMPLETED form must be attached for each event.  Your application for a position is not complete without all of the information.  Please submit the aforementioned form to Noel Van Duyne via e-mail to Travel@usajudo.us. 

Selection Deadlines - Roster as of December 10, 2007

(Note: All Entries MUST Be Made by 2 p.m. EST)

Second Round Selection Deadlines - Roster as of December 10, 2007

(Note: All Entries MUST Be Made by 2 p.m. EST)

Beginning January 12, athletes ranked sixth or lower on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster dated December 10, 2007 are eligible to request participation in any remaining events on the 2008 European Tour. Athletes ranked with a D-Level or lower must receive approval to participate from the Athlete Performance Committee.

Athletes ranked sixth or lower will be able to request one tournament selection to Noel Van Duyne at Travel@usajudo.us by no later than 2 p.m. EST on January 14. If more than one athlete requests to particpate in an event, preferance will be given to the highest ranked player, pending approval by the committee if that player is ranked with a D-Level or lower.

Beginning January 16, all athletes on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster dated December 10, 2007 are eligible to request participation in a maximum of two additional events on the 2008 European Tour. Athletes ranked with a D-Level or lower must receive approval to participate from the Athlete Performance Committee.

Athletes will be able to request two tournament selections to Noel Van Duyne at Travel@usajudo.us by no later than 2 p.m. EST on January 18. If more than one athlete requests to participate in an event, preference will be given to the highest ranked player, pending approval by the committee if that player is ranked with a D-Level or lower.

NOTE: An athlete may participate in a training camp even if he or she is not participating in the event preceding the camp.

Women's Europen Tour Schedule

Men's Europen Tour Schedule

2008 Pan American Championship and 2008 Zone Cup Criteria

The 2008 Pan American Championships and Zone Cup are the last two qualifying tournaments for the 2008 Olympic Games.  The Pan American Championships will be held May 8-10, followed by the Zone Cup on May 11.  Both events will be held in Miami, Fla.

The U.S. Team will be selected as the athletes who are ranked the highest in each weight division on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster following the 2008 Senior National Championships, April 11-12 in Virginia Beach, Va.

If an athlete declines to participate, the slot will be offered to the #2-ranked athlete in that division.  Subsequent declines will result in a progressive movement down the roster, according to the criteria.

An athlete who is to be nominated to the USA Judo Pan American Team by USA Judo may be removed from the nomination for any of the following reasons, as determined by the Development Committee:

• Voluntary withdrawal.  Athlete must submit a written letter to Ed Liddie, Director of Athlete Performance.
• Injury or illness as certified by a USA Judo approved physician (or medical staff).  If an athlete refuses verification of their illness or injury by a USA Judo approved caregiver, his or her injury will be assumed to be disabling and they may be removed.
• Violation of the USA Judo Code of Conduct.

2008 Cuba International Competition & Training Opportunity - Deadline January 25, 2008

23rd Jose Ramon Rodriguez Men’s Championship

17th Judoguis Dorados Women’s Championship

We have an invitation to travel to Cuba for a Senior Women’s and Men’s competition and to participate in a training camp. The travel dates for the competition would be April 20 – 25, 2007. Including the training camp would increase the time of the trip so that it would be April 20 – May 1, 2008. These events are Senior “B” level competitions.

Contested divisions will include all Olympic weight divisions.

It is necessary to begin to plan NOW for a trip to Cuba in April.

We expect airfares from Miami to Havana to be around $500.00. Projected accommodation cost should be around $65.00 per person per day based on double occupancy.

This trip is open to Elite Senior Athletes, and to IJF Juniors who are Level C or higher on the Senior roster.  NOTE: there is likely to be some funding available to as many as TEN IJF Jr athletes who participate in the Competition AND the Training Camp.

ALL athletes – Junior or Senior - who wish to make the Cuba trip must contact Jim Hrbek (judolym@aol.com) by close of business on January 25, 2008.

2008 Men's Belgian Open - Deadline January 16, 2008

The Belgian Open, a men's only event, is a USA Judo Senior B-Level Point Tournament and will be held Feb. 2-3 in Vise, Belgium.  For more information, click here.

2008 Belgian Ladies Open - Deadline January 11, 2008

The Belgian Ladies Open, a USA Judo Senior B-Level Point Tournament, will be held Feb. 2-3 in Arlon, Belgium.  One of the largest and most prestigious women’s events in the world, this two-day tournament includes both junior divisions contested on the first day, followed by senior divisions on the second day of competition.  Junior divisions also are pointable with 10 points for a gold medal, six for a silver medal, four for a bronze and two for a fifth-place finish.  For more information, click here.

Swedish Open – Deadline Oct. 5

The Swedish Open, a USA Judo Senior B-Level Point Tournament, will be held Nov. 3-4 in Boras , Sweden .  Teams are scheduled to arrive on Nov. 2 and the competition schedule is as follows: 

November 3

Men’s 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and +100kg

Women’s 48kg, 52kg and 57kg 

November 4

Men’s 60kg, 66kg and 73kg

Women’s 63kg, 70kg, 78kg and +78kg 

Winners of each division will receive 1,000 Euros.   

A training camp will be held from Nov. 5-8 and transportation (80 euros one-way) is available from Boras to Helsinki for those competing in the Finnish Open on Nov. 10-11. 

Contact Angela Marino by Oct. 5 at Angela.Marino@usajudo.us to register.

Benito Juarez Championships - Deadline Oct. 5
The Benito Juarez Championships, a USA Judo Senior D-Level Point Tournament will be held on Nov. 2-3 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. All Pan Am weight divisions will be contested.

Contact Angela Marino at angela.marino@usajudo.us to register by Oct. 5.


Korea Cup Training Camp - Deadline Oct. 24

A training camp will be held following the KRA Cup Korea Open International Tournament from Dec. 2-5 with departure on Dec. 5 at the Jeju Judo Center .  Athletes interested in participating must pay a $60 per day fee for three meals per day and housing.  Contact Angela Marino at angela.marino@usajudo.us to register by Oct. 24.

KRA Cup Korea Open International Judo Tournament - Deadline October 24

The Korea Open, a USA Judo Senior B-Level Point Tournament, will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Jeju, Korea.

Competition is restricted to one athlete per nation (outside of the host country) per division. 

Athletes will be selected off the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, dated Oct. 22.  All individuals interested in competing must submit their name to Angela Marino at Angela.Marino@usajudo.us by October 24.  If more than one athlete registers in any weight division, the slot will be allocated to the athlete ranked highest on the Oct. 22 roster.  

Hotel room and meals will be supplied by the local organizers; however, athletes must arrive no earlier than Nov. 27 and depart no later than Dec. 2.   

Competition will take place on Nov. 30 for the men’s 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, +100kg and women’s 48kg, 52kg and 57kg and on Dec. 1 for the men’s 60kg, 66kg, 73kg and women’s 63kg, 70kg, 78kg and +78kg divisions. 

Draws will be held on Nov. 29.

2007 World Championships and Pan American Games Trials

2007 Pan American Championships and World Team Funding

The following is the criteria for athletes to receive funding for participation on the Pan American Championships Team.  Receiving funding is based on the number of International points held by an athlete on the USA Judo Senior National Elite Ranking Roster at the close of the 2007 World and Pan American Trials, April 20-21 in Miami, Fla. 

Fully Funded Athletes

Athletes that have 21 or more International points.

These athletes will receive full funding to the event, including airfare, entry fee, room and board and all miscellaneous expenses.

Partially Funded Athletes

Athletes that have accumulated 15 International points, but not more than 20 International points.

These athletes will receive partial funding to the 2007 Pan American Championships. This funding will include airfare to the event.  Partially funded athletes will be responsible for providing their own room and board and other miscellaneous expenses to be assessed at a later date.

Athletes Reimbursement

Athletes that are not fully funded will receive reimbursement upon achieving the following:

Gold Medal

Athletes who win a gold medal will become fully funded athletes regardless of his/her International point level and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred, including flight (if the athlete was not already partially funded), room and board and other reasonable related expenses.  

Silver Medal

Athletes who win a silver medal will receive reimbursement for his/her airfare, not to exceed $1,000.00 or an amount determined to be reasonable, provided the ticket is purchased within 14 days of departure.  If the athlete is already a partially funded athlete, he/she will receive reimbursement for his/her room and board and other reasonable related expenses.

Non-Olympic Weight Divisions

Athletes who qualify for the Pan American Championships and World Team  in non-Olympic weight divisions (44kg, 55kg and Open) are not eligible to receive funding for their participation in the event, including reimbursement or medal awards.

2007 Pan American Games Funding and Selection Criteria

Athletes who are named to the Pan American Games Team, following the completion of the qualification of the divisions, will receive full funding, including transportation, entry, Team USA apparel, lodging, etc.  This funding will be for specified travel dates only.  Any additional stay will be at the expense of the athlete. 

To view the complete selection criteria for the Pan American Games, visit http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2007RevisedPanAmericanGamesSelectionCriteria.pdf.

2007 Pan American Championships Selection Criteria

The 2007 Pan American Championships, a USA Judo Senior B Level Tournament and the second qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games, are scheduled to be held May 24-28 in Montreal, Canada.

The U.S. Team will be selected as the athletes who are ranked the highest in each weight division on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster following the 2007 Senior National Championships, April 20-21 in Miami, Fla.  In order to be eligible for selection to the team, athletes MUST compete at Senior Nationals in the weight division in which they seek to be named to the team. 

If an athlete declines to participate, the slot will be offered to the #2-ranked athlete in that division.  Subsequent declines will result in a progressive movement down the roster, according to the same criteria.

An athlete who is to be nominated to the USA Judo Pan American Team by USA Judo may be removed from the nomination for any of the following reasons, as determined by the Development Committee:

* Voluntary withdrawal.  Athlete must submit a written letter to Eddie Liddie, Director of Athlete Performance.

* Injury or illness as certified by a USA Judo approved physician (or medical staff).  If an athlete refuse verification of their illness or injury by a USA Judo approved care giver, their injury will be assumed to be disabling and they may be removed.

* Violation of the USA Judo Code of Conduct. 

Divisions to be contested at the Pan Am Championships include women's 44kg, 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 70kg, 78kg, +78kg and Open divisions and men's 55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, +100kg and Open divisions.

2007 Pan American Games Revised Selection Criteria

The 2007 Pan American Games will be held July 19-22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The selection criteria have been revised and the 2007 USA Judo Senior National Championships, April 20-21 in Miami, Fla., will serve as the Trials for the event. 

This USA Judo Senior B Level Tournament is the third in a series of qualifying tournaments for the 2008 Olympic Games.  PLEASE NOTE: All selection criteria are pending final approval by the United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors.

2008 Olympic Games Selection Criteria

The 2008 Olympic Games will be held Aug. 8-24 in Beijing, China.  Athletes will be selected for the team following the 2008 Olympic Trials. 

2006 Pan American Championships Selection and Funding Criteria

May 24-29, 2006

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Pan American Championships will be held May 24-29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  This B-Level event is the first of a series of tournaments that serves as the qualification system for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games that includes the 2007 and 2008 Pan American Championships and 2007 Pan American Games.  The 2006 National Championships, April 21-22 in Houston, Texas, will serve as the trials for this event.