Para Judo Germanynational team
Para Judo Germany
Judo for blind and visually impaired athletes. The only Paralympic combat sport, part of the Paralympic Games programme since 1988.
1 · The sport
What is Para judo?
In Paralympic competition, Para judo is practised exclusively by athletes with a visual impairment or who are blind. The rules follow those of Olympic Judo, but one difference makes the sport possible: the bout begins with both athletes in a mutual grip.
Those who cannot see their opponent must feel them. That is why both athletes are led to the centre of the mat and touch each other before the bout begins. Everything else, from throwing techniques to scoring, is Judo as founded by Jigoro Kano in Tokyo in 1882. The sport is organised worldwide by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and, in Germany, by the German Disabled Sports Association in collaboration with the German Judo Federation.
The differences between Para judo, ID Judo and Adaptive Judo are explained in the Questions and answers.
2 · Who competes against whom
Sport classes
Weight and visual acuity are the decisive factors for allocation to sport classes. Depending on visual acuity, athletes are categorised into J1 (blind) and J2 (visually impaired). Visual acuity is assessed by IBSA ophthalmologists during the classification process.
- J1
Blind
Red circle on the judogi. The referee leads the competitor to the centre of the mat. No penalty for accidentally stepping off the mat.
- J2
Visually Impaired
No special marking. Accompanied by the referee; otherwise, the same rules apply.
| Men | Women |
|---|---|
| up to 70 kg | up to 52 kg |
| up to 81 kg | up to 60 kg |
| up to 95 kg | up to 70 kg |
| over 95 kg | over 70 kg |
Regardless of the sport class, a bout lasts a maximum of four minutes.
3 · What’s the same, what’s different
Olympic judo and Para judo
Similarities
- Standing and ground techniques
- Same rules and scoring
- Kyu and Dan belt grades
- Four-minute bout duration, Golden Score
- Identical prohibitions and penalties
- Standard mats and weight checks
| Olympic Judo | Para judo | |
|---|---|---|
| Grappling | Free-grip sparring, where the grip is sought during the bout. | Both competitors grasp each other’s judogi before the start; this is not free-grip combat. |
| Orientation | Judokas make their own way to the competition area. | The referee leads them to the centre of the mat and calls out ‘Jogai’ at the edge. |
| Coaching | Only during breaks in the bout. | Coaches may call out limited instructions, such as the time remaining and the fighter’s position. |
4 · From Kano to Heidelberg
History
Judo and Para judo
- Jigoro Kano founded the Kodokan in Tokyo and developed judo from jiu-jitsu.
- became an Olympic sport in Tokyo, initially for men. Women have been competing for Olympic medals since 1992 in Barcelona.
- The IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation, .
- became a Paralympic sport in Seoul, initially for men only.
- Paralympic competitions for women in Athens.
- Games featuring the J1 and J2 sport classes in Paris.
- of the national training centre in Heidelberg on 22 January.
- European Championships in Heidelberg, with three medals for Germany.
Successes of the German team at the Paralympics
Since 1992, Germany has won four gold, four silver and nine bronze medals in Para judo at the Paralympic Games. A highlight: in London in 2012, the twins Carmen and Ramona Brussig won gold on the same day.
| Games | Athlete | Class | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Barcelona | Klaus Heyer | up to 95 kg | Bronze |
| 2000 Sydney | Martin Osewald | over 100 kg | Bronze |
| 2004 Athens | Susann Schützel | up to 52 kg | Gold |
| 2004 Athens | Ramona Brussig | up to 57 kg | Gold |
| 2004 Athens | Silke Hüttler | up to 63 kg | Silver |
| 2004 Athens | Sebastian Junk | up to 81 kg | Bronze |
| 2004 Athens | Astrid Arndt | up to 48 kg | Bronze |
| 2004 Athens | Beate Bischler | over 70 kg | Bronze |
| 2008 Beijing | Ramona Brussig | up to 57 kg | Silver |
| 2008 Beijing | Carmen Brussig | up to 48 kg | Bronze |
| 2012 London | Carmen Brussig | up to 48 kg | Gold |
| 2012 London | Ramona Brussig | up to 52 kg | Gold |
| 2012 London | Matthias Krieger | up to 81 kg | Bronze |
| 2016 Rio | Carmen Brussig | up to 48 kg | Silver |
| Rio 2016 | Ramona Brussig | up to 52 kg | Silver |
| Rio 2016 | Nikolai Kornhaß | up to 73 kg | Bronze |
| 2024 Paris | Lennart Sass | J1 up to 73 kg | Bronze |
Source: Results lists from the International Paralympic Committee. Until 2020, there was a single category for blind and visually impaired judokas; since 2024, the sport classes have been J1 and J2.
5 · Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 710
Para Judo National Training Centre
Since 22 January 2025, this has been the national team’s central training centre, based at the Rhein-Neckar Olympic Training Centre. Funded by the federal government.
Permanent hall with permanently laid mats. The Rhein-Neckar Olympic Training Centre also provides strength training, performance diagnostics and nutritional advice. Young athletes from the Heidelberg Judo Club and the JSC Heidelberg-Rhein-Neckar train here too.
Coaching team and address
Full-time national head coach Carmen Bruckmann, assistant coach Matthias Krieger, and centre coach Saeid Mollaei.
Para Judo National Training Centre, Rhein-Neckar Olympic Training Centre, Im Neuenheimer Feld 710, 69120 Heidelberg6 · The athletes
Team
Current medals: Silver for Daniel Goral and Isabell Thal, bronze for Vanessa Wagner at the 2026 European Championships. Bronze for Lennart Sass at the 2024 Paralympics.
All profiles on Team Germany Paralympics
The list includes all para-judokas represented by Team Germany, including former members. Please shorten this list before publishing the active squad.
7 · Competitions
Dates
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 25 to 27 September 2026 | IBSA Judo World Championships | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 13 to 14 November 2026 | Dutch Open Adapted and VI Judo | Venray, Netherlands |
| 20–21 November 2026 | IBSA Judo Grand Prix | Alexandria, Egypt |
| 25 to 27 August 2028 | Paralympic Games, Judo (provisional) | Los Angeles, USA |
8 · The Road to Los Angeles
World ranking
IBSA maintains a world ranking for every sport class and weight category. Qualification for the 2028 Paralympics is based on these rankings. Example from the team: Lennart Sass, J1 up to 81 kilograms, ranked 5th out of 42 worldwide, as at 20 July 2026.
Points system
| Tournament | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | 3200 | 2304 | 1664 |
| World Championships | 1600 | 1152 | 832 |
| Grand Prix, World Cup | 800 | 576 | 416 |
| European Championships | 600 | 432 | 312 |
After the Paralympics, the rankings start from scratch.
9 · Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Who can take part in Para judo?
Anyone with a visual impairment or who is blind. Classification is required for IBSA competitions, but not for training at a club.
Do blind and visually impaired judokas compete against each other?
Not since 2024. J1s only compete against J1s, and J2s only against J2s.
How can I tell who is J1 on the mat?
By the red circle on their judogi. J2s do not wear any markings.
How does a bout begin?
Both competitors are led to the centre and grasp each other’s judogi. Only then does the referee give the go-ahead. This ensures that a lack of eye contact is not a disadvantage.
How long does a bout last?
Four minutes. An ippon ends it immediately; if the score is tied, the match continues into Golden Score.
How do you qualify for the Paralympics?
Via the IBSA world ranking. Points are awarded at Grand Prix events, the European Championships and the World Championships. The top athletes in each weight category secure a place for their country. See the ‘World Rankings’ section for details.
What distinguishes Para judo from ID Judo and Adaptive Judo?
Para judo, in the Paralympic sense, is Judo for blind and visually impaired people, organised by IBSA and the International Paralympic Committee. ID Judo is Judo for people with intellectual disabilities, with its own competition structure – including at the Special Olympics – but without Paralympic status. Adaptive Judo for people with physical disabilities is still in its early stages and does not yet have a governing body. In clubs, everyone often trains together.
Where does the national team train?
At the national training centre in Heidelberg, as well as at courses and training camps, often alongside other nations.
How do I get started?
Through a local judo club. Many clubs welcome visually impaired children and adults into their regular training sessions. The club finder on Parasport.de can help you find one.
How can I support the team?
Come along to competitions, follow the Instagram channel, share posts. For sponsorship and partnerships, use the contact details below.
10 · Further information
Links
11 · Contact persons
Contact
National Head Coach Carmen Bruckmann, Bruckmann@dbs-npc.de
Para judo Officer at the DJB, Sebastian Junk, Sjunk@judobund.de
Press and social media via @parajudogermany
Still to be finalised: the website’s own email address, which will be provided with the domain.