The 2008 Paralympic Games
Judo has been part of the Paralympic Games since the 1988 Games in Seoul. In Athens in 2004, 120 athletes competed in 13 weight classes.
Athletes who are blind or have vision impairments compete under the rules of the International Judo Association at the Paralympic Games, with the exception of a mat that has different textures to mark zones and the competition area. Paralympic judo competition is open to male and female athletes who are blind/visually impaired.
For more information on blind judo, please visit:
The United States Association of Blind Athletes
Pottstown Judo, locally supports the study of judo for sighted, and blind or disabled people and is proud to support local 2008 Paralympic athlete Dr. Andre Watson. Andre is a blind judo player who lives in Upper Darby, PA. Andre regularly attends classes at Pottstown Judo along with other local judo clubs for training.
Team USA will come together August 25th - 27th for a training camp and team processing at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. The judo competition will take place September 7th - 9th at the Worker’s Gymnasium in Beijing, China.
The Paralympic Games judo event will be broadcast on UniversalSports.com beginning Sept. 7th.
Richard Favinger Jr. (yours truly) is a 1st Degree Black Belt and the Head Youth Instructor for Pottstown Judo. To learn more about our program please visit the Pottstown Judo Club website.
Fall Beginners Classes will Start on September 22nd, 2008!
