Judo is the only martial art at Special Olympics. The Kata discipline is held as Unified Sports®. By classifying into five different levels in Judo, two athletes with similar technical levels and motor skills compete against each other.

Competition Format

• The most common competition disciplines are individual competitions – Shiai, Kata, and Kata Unified (Tori with intellectual disability, Uke without intellectual disability) – and mixed team competitions (a blend of judo clubs, gender, and levels).
• There are five Ability Levels, which do not refer to the athletes’ competitive level, but rather to their motor and cognitive abilities in connection with their impairment.
• Judo is widespread in European countries – an international competition also takes place annually in Switzerland.

Special Olympics Switzerland is also invited to international competitions and World Games. We forward invitations to international events to athletes and sports groups who are active with us. Further information can be found under International Competitions and World Games.

Through a cooperation with the Swiss Judo Federation, the development of Judo in Switzerland for people with intellectual disabilities is specifically supported and promoted by the association.