2024 Wahadachi Judo Championship

WELCOME TO THE 2024 WAHADACHI JUDO TOURNAMENT

Dear Fellow Judokas,

I’m excited to announce that we will be hosting our tournament again in 2024!  Thank you for making our 2023 tournament a success and we look forward to a great event in 2024.  I’m also excited to share for 2024, our tournament will be a USA Judo points tournament (Junior Level 5 and Senior Level E) and a national referee evaluation site!  We will be using SmoothComp again for registration, pooling, and managing competition.  Please find the enclosed information for the upcoming Wahadachi Judo Tournament on Sunday March 10, 2024.

All registration and payments will be online.  Weigh-ins for Point Divisions will be on-site the morning of the tournament, and weigh-ins for non-Point Divisions will be off site (done in street clothing at your club).  Verification of weights will take place at check-in, as described in the Weigh-In section of this document.

The USA Judo “Event Code of Conduct” will be in effect at this tournament.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by phone (414-719-0298) or email ([email protected]).  Questions about the weigh-in procedures should be directed to Henry or Randy.

Yours in Judo,

                    Tournament Director:                Mr. James Peterson

                    Assistant Directors:                   Mr. Randy Baures & Mr. Henry Hummel

                    Chief Referee & Evaluator:        Mr. Russ Scherer

                    Referee Evaluators:                   Mr. David Smith & Mr. Kei Narimatsu

                    Registration and Pooling:          Mr. Randy Baures & Mr. Henry Hummel

                    Technical Director:                    Ms. Cindy Peterson

                    Medical:                                     Ms. Judy Hummel

The Tournament Director reserves the right to make modifications to these rules based upon his sole discretion.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, February 26    Early registration ends at 11:59pm central time

Monday, March 4           Registration ends at 11:59pm central time

Wednesday, March 6     Submit Weight through Coach to Tournament Organizers

Saturday, March 9           Referee/Rules Clinic, Coaches and players (4-6pm)                                                                                   Hall of Fame Dinner (6pm)

Sunday, March 10            Tournament Day

8:00am to 9:00am           Check-in & confirm weight for Juniors ages 5-12

8:30am to 9:30am           Referee and Technical Officials Meeting

9:30am                             Opening ceremonies

                                          Junior ages 5-12 competition to follow

10:30am to 11:30am        Check-in & confirm weight for Juniors ages 13-17

1:30pm to 2:30pm           Check-in & confirm weight for Seniors and Veterans

Awards will be presented as categories are completed.

EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Applicable to all attendees, including, but not limited to Athletes, Coaches, Spectators, Officials, Volunteers, Parents.

1. I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.

2. I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any attendee.

3. I will not engage in the use of profanity.

4. I will treat any coach, parent, athlete, volunteer, official or any other attendee with respect.

5. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any attendee.

6. I will not initiate a fight or unauthorized physical contact with any attendee.

7. I will obey all facility and organization rules, including USA Judo’s Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies.

8. I will be responsible for the sportsmanship of myself and teammates while assisting in maintaining a respectful environment for all participants.

9. I understand that the concluding decision of the officials or event director is final and will accept it with respect and grace.

It is agreed that if I fail to conform to the above while attending a USA Judo sanctioned event through coaching, officiating, or participating in any capacity the following will occur:

· Verbal warnings first will be given to the individual.

· If the infraction occurs after the verbal warning, a “yellow card” will be given to the head coach/individual as notice of first official warning.

· If the infraction occurs after the yellow card is distributed, a “red card” will be given to the head coach/individual which may require elimination from the tournament and premises.

If a red card is issued the individual may be subject to possible additional disciplinary actions, including but not limited to the below in any order or combination:

1. Immediate removal from event for the duration of the event.

2. Removal of coach credentials for the duration of the event.

3. Suspension of USA Judo membership, coach certification credentials, or official certification credentials.

The tournament director reserves the right to immediately remove an individual from the competition/activity if an egregious incident occurs without first issuing a verbal warning, yellow or red card.

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

Hyatt Place Milwaukee-West, 11777 West Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53225

GUEST ROOM INFORMATION:  All guests will need to provide a valid credit card upon arrival.  Room keys will not be distributed to guests without a valid credit card.  RESERVATIONS:  Reservations may be made directly by the attendees directly with the Hotel room reservation department by calling 414-462-3500 (Selection Option 0 for in-house Group Reservations) or by calling Hyatt Central Reservations at 888-492-8847.

COACH INFORMATION

We are asking coaches to do off site weigh-ins ahead of the tournament to allow us to complete pooling ahead of the tournament.  We will send a competitor sheet for all players who listed affiliation with your club by Wednesday, March 6th, and request a return with official weights by 10pm on Thursday, March 7th.  All weigh-ins should be conducted with street clothing on, no shoes or coats.  DO NOT DO STRIPPED DOWN WEIGH-INS.

We will be verifying weights during check-ins on Sunday, March 10th, 2024 using a staggered start based on three groups (Juniors 5-12 between 8am and 9am;  Juniors 13-17 between 10:30am and 11:30am;  Seniors/Veterans between 1:30pm and 2:30pm).

In order to coach matside, all coaches must hold a current USA Judo coaching membership, including current background screening and concussion and SafeSport training.

Only one coach is allowed to coach matside inside the barricade during each match.  Coaches who fail to comply with this rule may be asked to leave the coaching area.

All coaches must adhere to the following dress code during this event.  Coaches may wear their club or USA Judo warm-up suit with pants reaching down to their shoes which need to be closed-toe (sandals and flip flops are NOT permitted).  Coaches may wear a short or long-sleeved t-shirt as long as it has a judo club logo or USA Judo logo on it.  Otherwise, a collared shift is required.  Khaki pants are preferred.  Please consider that your appearance represents you, your family, your dojo, your athletes, your athletes’ families, our sport and USA Judo.

ELIGIBILITY

Athletes may compete if they meet the following eligibility requirements and there is no conflict regarding weigh-in and competition schedules.

All competitors, regardless of category entered, must be a current member in good standing with USA Judo.

All categories will be open to both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens.  Non-U.S. citizens will not be eligible for points on the USA Judo National Roster.

Senior Category (Points eligible):

· Born 2007 or earlier

· Minimum rank of senior sankyu

· Senior categories are eligible for points on the USA Judo national rosters

Senior Novice Category (Not points eligible):

· Born 2007 or earlier

· Below the rank of senior sankyu (brown belt) and not listed on a national elite roster

· Senior Novice categories are NOT pointable on USA Judo national rosters

Junior Categories (Points eligible):

· Born 2004-2019 (inclusively)

· No minimum rank requirement

· Junior categories are eligible for points on the USA Judo national rosters

Junior Novice Categories (Not points eligible):

· Born 2004-2017 (inclusively)

· White, Yellow, and Orange belts only.  Ranks must be verified in the USA Judo database.

· Junior Novice categories are NOT pointable on USA Judo national rosters.

NOTE:  Points will only be awarded in those categories for athletes that meet the criteria as outlined in the respective point classification systems found at www.usajudo.com/athletes/national-ranking-rosters.

AGE CATEGORIES AND WEIGHT DIVISIONS

JUNIOR POINT CATEGORIES (AGE AND WEIGHT DIVISIONS)

Please note that each category is based on the year in which the contestant was born.  All weights are in kilograms.  For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed.  Example:  Bantam 1, 28kg – over 23kg and up to and including 28kg.

For all regular junior point categories only:  Athletes must select their true age/weight category as their first entry.  They may also select as a “bonus” category one weight up in their true age category and/or move up one age category in their true weight.  For example:

· First category is Bantam 2 female 19kg (true age/weight)

·         Second category is Bantam 2 female 23kg

·         Third category is Bantam 3 female 21kg

The above would be considered entry into three categories and three entry fees must be paid as outlined in the fee matric above.

Categories are based solely on year of birth.

JUNIOR CATEGORIES                     WEIGHT DIVISIONS

Bantam 1 (Born 2019)                    Female & Male 18, 22, +22kg

Bantam 2 (Born 2018)                    Female & Male 19, 23, +23kg

Bantam 3 (Born 2017)                    Female & Male 21, 25, 29, +29kg

Bantam 4 (Born 2016)                    Female & Male 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, +38kg

Bantam 5 (Born 2015)                    Female & Male 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, +41kg

Bantam 6 (Born 2014)                    Female & Male 27, 31, 35, 39, 44, +44kg

Intermediate (Born 2012-2013)     Female & Male 28, 31, 34, 38, 42, 47, 52, +52kg

Juvenile (Born 2010-2011)             Female & Male 36, 40, 44, 48, 53, 58, 64, +64kg

Cadet (Born 2007-2009)               Female 40, 44, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, +70kg

                                                         Male 50, 55, 60, 66, 73, 70, 78, +78kg

IJF-Junior (Born 2004-2009)        Female 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78, +78kg

                                                         Male 60, 66, 73, 81, 90, 100, +100kg

The Tournament Director reserves the right to make changes in the highest and lowest weight classes in all age divisions.  When such adjustments are made, only the highest weight sub-category will be pointable and each person must be advised that he or she may elect to fight in the pointable division.

JUNIOR NOVICE CATEGORIES

For all novice junior categories only, the pools will be set up as fairly as possible while ensuring adequate competition.  Age is determined by legal age as of the tournament date.  Each age division will be divided into weight groupings as determined by entries.  Our goal is to keep Junior divisions within 10% of the lowest non-upgrade weight.  Granting any request is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.  Novice competitors may also compete in advanced divisions.  All competitors may also compete in age up divisions.  No weight up options.

AGE DIVISIONS:  7-8 years;  9-10 years;  11-12 years;  13-14 years;  15-17 years.  Matches last 2-minutes for ages 5-12, and 3-minutes for ages 13-17 minutes.

SENIOR POINT CATEGORIES

SENIOR CATEGORIES                WEIGHT DIVISIONS

Female                                       48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78, +78kg

Male                                           60, 66, 73, 81, 90, 100, +100kg

For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed.  Example:  66kg – over 60kg and up to and including 66.0kg.

Only one weight per category is allowed.

SENIOR NOVICE AND VETERAN CATEGORIES

Weight classes will be determined by entries.  Matches last 3 minutes.  No weight up options.

The tournament director may also make changes as necessary in the interest of the safety of the athletes and overall administration of the tournament.

WEIGH-IN

JUNIOR AND SENIOR POINT CATEGORIES

Athletes may check weight as many times as desired prior to the official weigh-in on the official scale.  An athlete is given only one chance on the official scale during official weigh-in.  At weigh in, all point eligible category athletes must present their USA Judo member card with photo ID.

Naked weigh-in is not allowed for any age/weight category.  To compensate, 0.1kg will be allowed.  For example, in the 44kg category the limit will be 44.1kg.  This is a clothing allowance only and the 0.1kg will only be added to the true weight.

Athletes who neglected to change their weight during the check-in process and missed weight during official weigh-in, may be moved to an appropriate category.

IMPORTANT:  All athletes must make their declared weight as registered unless a change is made during the check-in/registration process prior to getting on the official scale.  Athletes may change their weight category during check-in/registration.  Failure to make declared weight will result in the athlete not competing in that category.  Athlete will not be automatically moved to the next weight category.  Once official weight is recorder, no changes to weight category will be accepted.

ALL NOVICE AND VETERANS CATEGORIES

Coaches are being asked to weigh-in their players at their respective clubs at some point during the competition week and record that weight.  A competitor sheet will be sent to each coach listing all their registered competitors Wednesday, March 6, 2024.  It is imperative that coaches return that competitor sheet by scanning and e-mailing it to Henry Hummel at [email protected] by 10pm on Thursday March 7, 2024.  Coaches can also phone Henry at 262-366-6280 to provide their competitors weights.

Anyone unaffiliated should call Henry or Randy for directions.

We are doing this to pool competitors by Thursday evening, allowing competition to start by 9:30am on Sunday.  To accomplish this, all coaches are asked to adhere to the off-site weigh-in rules.  Please contact Henry Hummel (262-366-6280) or Randy Baures (414-412-2319) if you need assistance with these requirements.  Coaches are also asked to verify national body membership and that a signed waiver is completed.  Both the membership card and waiver must be provided at check-in.  You will not be allowed to compete without these documents.

JUNIOR NOVICE CATEGORIES

The pools will be set up as fairly as possible while ensuring adequate competition.  Age is determined by legal age as of the tournament date.  Each age division will be divided into weight groupings as determined by entries.  Our goal is to keep Junior divisions within 10% of the lowest non-upgrade weight.  Granting any request is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.  Novice competitors may also compete in advanced divisions.  All competitors may also compete in age up divisions.  No weight up options.

SENIOR NOVICE AND VETERANS CATEGORIES

Weight classes will be determined by entries.  Verification of weights will take place at check-in, with a 2-pound allowance for discrepancies (also done in street clothing).

RULES & METHOD OF COMPETITION

The tournament will be conducted in accordance with the 2020 Contest Rules, Organization Code and Sporting Code of the International Judo Federation, as revised for the tournament.

INJURY RULE:  Decision as to whether an athlete may continue if injured while on the mat, are to be resolved in accordance with IJF rules; such decisions occurring off the mat or not covered by the IJF rules, are to be made by the coach, the athlete, and the Team Doctor.  If there is not a unanimous opinion among these three individuals, the athlete may not continue.

COMPETITION METHOD FOR ALL CATEGORIES – Two (2) athletes

Categories having two (2) competitors will use best of three matches.

COMPETITION METHOD FOR ALL JUNIOR CATEGORIES – Three (3) or more athletes

The standard (“true”) Double Elimination System with winner’s and loser’s brackets will be used.  The winner of the loser’s bracket will compete against the winner of the winner’s bracket for 1st and 2nd place.  The first one of these two contestants to have two losses will be placed second; the other will be placed first.  The loser of the loser’s bracket will be placed 3rd.  Only one bronze medal will be awarded.

COMPETITION METHOD FOR ALL SENIORS AND VETERANS CATEGORIES – Six (6) or more athletes

Categories having six (6) competitors or greater:  Modified Double-Elimination with two (2) bronze medals.  Players begin in the winner’s bracket, but once they lose, they move to the loser’s bracket, where they have the opportunity to make it to bronze medal fights.  There will be two bronze medalists.  Players are guaranteed at least two matches.

COMPETITION METHOD FOR ALL SENIOR AND VETERANS CATEGORIES – Five (5) or less athletes

Categories having five (5) competitors or less:  Round Robin Pool.  The order of finish is determined by number of wins, then, if tied, by total points.  If tied in wins and points, the winner of the head-to-head competition between the two who are still tied determines the winner.  If three or more are still tied in wins and points for any place (first, second, or third), those contestants involved must contest again to determine the order of finish.  Points are given to the winner only and shall be based on the highest single score of the winner, after factoring out scores that cancel out each other.  Points values are Ippon=10, Wazari=1, win by Shido=0.  If a contestant withdraws from a division prior to beginning his or her final match, the results of all that person’s previous matches shall be discarded.

Osaekomi during golden score will be allowed to continue until time expires.

Round Robin Clarification:

· If Athlete A pulls out before finishing competition against other athletes in the category and does not go out onto the mat, all points won or lost associated with Athlete A are removed.  No medal is awarded to Athlete A.

· If Athlete A cannot finish competing due to an injury but goes out onto the mat (field of play), then Athlete B wins and is awarded ippon points.  Athlete A received 0 points.

· If Athlete A, who did not finish competing due to an injury, but went out onto the mat, they are eligible to medal.

Seeding:  Senior Shiai only:  The top four athletes on the USA Judo Senior National Roster, who are in attendance, will be seeded, provid3ed that they are ranked at A through D levels as follows:  A (or B) side:  #1 and #4 in one half, #2 and #3 in the other half.  A higher seeded athlete will always receive a bye before a lower seeded athlete.

Athletes having the same state affiliation will be placed as far apart in the bracket as possible.  Seeded athletes lose their State/Club affiliation for purposes of the draw, i.e., two athletes from the same state or club may meet in the first round if one is a seeded athlete.

SENIOR ELITE CATEGORIES:  Match length of 4-minutes/no golden score limit

SENIOR NOVICE CATEGORIES:  Match length of 3-minutes/no golden score limit

VETERAN CATEGORIES:  Match length of 3-minutes/no golden score limit

JUNIOR ELITE CATEGORIES:

Match Length

· All Bantam                                             3-minutes/ no golden score limit

· Intermediate & Juvenile                     3-minutes/no golden score limit

· Cadet & IJF                                            4-minutes/no golden score limit

JUNIOR NOVICE CATEGORIES:  3-minutes/no golden score limit

SHIME-WAZA AND KANSESU-WAZA

· Shime-waza allowed only in:  Juvenile, Cadet, IJF, Senior elite, senior novice, veterans categories.  Not allowed in any Junior Novice division.

· Kansetsu-waza allowed only in:  Cadet, IJF, senior elite, veterans.  Not allowed in any Novice division.

JUDOGI / UNDERGARMENTS / CHANGING

Appropriate undergarments must be worn by all athletes.  Female athletes shall wear under the jacket either, a plain white or off-shite tee-shirt, with short sleeves, long enough to be worn inside the trousers, or a plain white or off-shite leotard with short sleeves.  The white tee-shirt should be round necked.  No marking can be visible when the judogi is done up.

All competitors are required to wear a white judogi when designated the white player and must wear their own white and blue belt.  A competitor may optionally use a blue judogi when designated the blue player.  Players who do not bring a white judogi will be disqualified when designated the white player.  BLUE AND WHITE BELTS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.

Athletes needing to change clothes/judogi should do so in the area designated for changing.

AWARDS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:  Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded for first, second, and third places for all divisions.

Athletes must wear either a clean full white judogi or full team sweats on the awards podium.  No additional items may be taken/worn on the podium (flags, hats, pictures, flowers, stuffed animals, etc).