What competition format applies to U8, U10 and U12?
Rule- Canada
- Judo Canada
- Junior judo
- U8-U21
- 2026-27
- Coaches
- Pools: the mandatory format for U10 and U12 is round robin pools of 3 or 4 competitors ideally, and exceptionally 2 or 5.
- U8: a "Judo Festival" format with no formal judging is recommended at sanctioned events, scheduled so parents can watch.
- No weight classes: children are grouped or paired by closest weight, with a maximum 15% weight difference (measured against the lightest participant in the group).
- Gender: mixed for U8. Separated for U10 and U12, although U10 can be mixed in exceptional circumstances with parental agreement.
- Hybrid groups: at the tournament director's discretion, U9 (born 2019 and 2020, U10 rules) and U11 (born 2017 and 2018, U12 rules) can be used.
- Prizes: all U8 and U10 participants should receive a prize, and all U12 participants should be awarded a medal.
Source: Judo Canada Age and Weight Division Standards 2026-2027 and Sanctioning Policy & Tournament Standards 2026-2027, section 7.
Added 25 Oct 2026