In 1984 in Grenzach-Wyhlen (Baden, Germany) the first judo event for people with a disability was held. 6 Special needs groups from Germany showed their training program. From that aroused a yearly event, later on an integration sports event, till 1990 the only judo event for special needs. For the first after 1990 they started to compete. The matches were only held in ne-waza.
However, very quick after this first competitions, a genuine competition started. Mainly because of the needs from the special needs judokas for a real competition.
On and on were the first judo tournaments organized. So started in 1993 in Nordrhein-Westfalen already the first judo tournament with 40 special needs judokas. That tournament still exists as the Bagira Turnier, and counts about 300 - 400 special needs judokas each year.
In 1999 the first International German Judo Championships were held. Till now, there are 8 International German Special Needs Judo Championships held.
1999 - Gladbeck
2000 - Grenzach-Wyhlen
2001 - Gladbeck
2002 - Halle
2003 - Munich
2004 - Grenzach-Wyhlen
2005 - Gladbeck
2006 - Dransfeld
2007 - Landau
2008 - Hamm Events Germany in 2009
In the little town Hückeswagen November 29 2008 the German judo federa-tion organized in cooperation with the National sport federation of the dis-abled a special needs competition for teams.
Everybody with a disability should become a sports offer, that meets their capabilities. When these persons decide to chose judo, then judo has to adapt in that way, that people with a disability can practize judo. compe-tition, grading, teaching
Intellectual disabled judoka’s:
National status:
About 10 tournaments and championships a year.
They compete in 3 classes, divided in gender, age and weight
School championships like team championships
Official international status
Several visited international tournaments in different countries by Special Olympics
Physical disabled judoka's.
National status:
No separation from Intelectual Disabled, they compete according to the same rules
Official international status:
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Visual Impaired Judoka's:
National
Once a year international German championships
International
European championships, world championships, Paralympics
Auditive disabled Judoka's.
National
Compete with main stream judokas if posible
International
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Alternative events:
German Judo Association Integration Sports Festival with playful elements
