2026 Ohio Judo Championships
Organized by USA Judo
September 5, 2026 brings the Ohio Judo Championships to Lebanon, OH, with USA Judo divisions open to competitors of all ages and ranks.
Event Description
The Ohio Judo Championships are sanctioned by USA Judo, the national governing body for Olympic judo in the United States, which means competitors need an active USA Judo membership (roughly $125 a year, or about $15 for an Event-Only first-timer option) and must show proof of membership at registration. Divisions run by age and rank, from Mini-Yonen (ages 5-7) through Seinen adult brackets, with safety rules that restrict chokes for competitors 12 and under and arm locks for those 17 and under or new to competition. This year's championships run September 5, 2026 in Lebanon, OH. Entry fees for USA Judo events typically fall in the $30-$90 per division range. Register through the event's Smoothcomp page, and bring proof of current USA Judo membership to check-in.
About USA Judo
USA Judo is the official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic national governing body for judo, headquartered at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. It runs national point tournaments, national championships, and international team selection events — distinct from the grassroots-focused USJA and USJF.
Rules
Judo matches are decided by ippon — a full-point score that ends the match instantly. Ippon is awarded for a throw that lands the opponent largely on their back with speed and control, for a 20-second pin (osaekomi), or for a submission by strangle or armlock in the senior divisions. Lesser throws and shorter pins score waza-ari, and two waza-ari combine to make ippon.
Modern judo rules (based on the International Judo Federation rulebook) prohibit grabbing the legs in standing exchanges, and passivity or rule infractions draw shido penalties — accumulate three and the match is lost by hansoku-make. Armlocks and chokes are age-restricted, so junior divisions are typically throws-and-pins only.
Judo tournaments in the United States are generally sanctioned by USA Judo, USJA, or USJF, all of which follow IJF-based competition rules with local modifications for youth and novice divisions. Check the event's sanctioning body and division rules before registering.
Always confirm the official rulebook before you compete — organizations update rules between seasons. See the official event page for current rules.
Community results
No results logged yet. Results show up here once competitors log them after the event.
Frequently asked questions
- When and where are the 2026 Ohio Judo Championships?
- September 5, 2026 in Lebanon, OH.
- Do I need a membership to compete?
- Yes, an active USA Judo membership (about $125/year, or roughly $15 for a first-time Event-Only option) is required, and proof must be shown at registration.
- How do I register?
- Through the event's Smoothcomp listing at usajudo.smoothcomp.com/en/event/31559.
- What age/rank divisions are offered?
- USA Judo divisions from Mini-Yonen (5-7) through Seinen (adult), subdivided by belt rank.
- Are there safety restrictions for younger competitors?
- Yes — no chokes for competitors 12 and under, and no arm locks for those 17 and under or new to competition.
- What's the entry fee?
- USA Judo events typically run $30-$90 per division; check the Smoothcomp listing for exact current pricing.
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