2026 Veterans Open Houston
Organized by USA Judo
USA Judo sanctions the 2026 Veterans Open Houston in Baytown on August 29. Judo divisions are set for veteran-age competitors from across the Houston area.
Event Description
The Veterans Open is a USA Judo-sanctioned tournament in the Houston area built specifically for veteran-age competitors, giving older judoka a bracket structured for their age group rather than competing against younger seniors. As with all USA Judo events, competitors need current USA Judo membership (or the discounted Event-Only option for first-timers) and must show proof of membership at check-in. The 2026 edition runs August 29, 2026 in Baytown, TX, just outside Houston. Divisions are organized by rank and age within the veteran bracket, following USA Judo's standard age/rank structure. Registration is handled through USA Judo's Smoothcomp event page; bring your membership card or digital proof to registration.
Registration deadline: August 26, 2026
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 is the 2026 Veterans Open Houston?
- It takes place August 29, 2026 in Baytown, Texas, just outside Houston.
- Who can compete?
- Veteran-age judo competitors under USA Judo's sanctioning.
- Do I need a membership?
- Yes, current USA Judo membership (around $125 per year) or a discounted Event-Only option (around $15) for first-timers; proof is required at check-in.
- What divisions are offered?
- Divisions organized by rank within the veteran age bracket.
- How do I register?
- Through USA Judo's Smoothcomp event page.
BJJ gyms near Baytown, TX
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