2026 Matsuru Pacific International Judo Championships

Judo BC invites judokas from around the world to participate in the annual Matsuru Pacific International Judo Championships. This competition is an A Level Sanctioned Judo Canada Tournament & Judo Canada Points Tournament. This is also a selection tournament for BC athletes wishing to participate in the 2026 Canadian Open Nationals.

Location – 2026

Richmond Olympic Oval
6111 River Rd
Richmond, BC
V7C 0A2 Canada

Dates

March 13 to 15, 2026.

Divisions

U14, U16, U18, U21, Senior, Veteran, Kata, Ne Waza

Contacts

• Fees – general@judobc.ca
• Registration, weight changes, cancelations, etc… – registrar@judobc.ca
• Technical i.e. draws, rules – sdd@judobc.ca

Weight Changes

The deadline to make weight changes without penalty is Thursday, March 12 at 6 pm PDT. Please email changes to sdd@judobc.ca

More Information for Matsuru Pacific International

Parking

There are 3 major sport competitions taking place March 13 to 15 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. This means parking at the Oval may be challenging. Here are some nearby public parking lots:

We recommend that if you are staying at a hotel in Richmond you walk to the venue, and if you live in surrounding municipalities you consider public transportation.

Venue Layout

Note:

• Layout is subject to change
• Athletes will need to use the Entrances and Exit to enter and exit the mats. See yellow arrows.
• Alone athletes on deck or double deck will be allowed to enter the mat area.

Estimated Schedule – updated 03-March

Approximate start times for each age division are listed below, and are based on the number of registered competitors. Please note that these times are estimates only, as the duration of each match can vary and exact start times cannot be guaranteed. We recommend that athletes be ready to compete at least one hour before their estimated start time and also be prepared for their division to begin one hour or later than estimated.

If there are any questions or concerns, please email general@judobc.ca.Please note the following:

Saturday
8:30am – 10:00am	U14 & Ne Waza
10:00am – 12:30pm	U21 & Veterans
12:30pm – 4:30pm	U18
5:00pm – 7:00pm	Kata
Sunday
8:30am – 11:00am	U16
11:00am – 5:00pm	Senior

Accreditation

There are accreditation cards for athletes, coaches, referees, and kata judges. Accreditation cards will be available for pick up at the Executive Hotel on Friday, March 13 after 4:30pm for all athletes, coaches, referees and kata judges’. If you are unable to pick up your accreditation card on Friday, they will also be available on Saturday, March 14 at the Judo BC table at the entrance to the competition inside the Richmond Olympic Oval.

All U14+ athletes who will weigh-in will need their accreditation card and proper ID. All coaches will require their accreditation card to coach in the coaching chair during a match.

Weigh-in

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026
Executive Vancouver Airport Hotel
7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC

4:00 – 8:00 pm Accreditation Pick-up
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Official Weigh-in U14 & U18
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Official Weigh-in U21, Veteran & Ne-waza
8:00 pm End of Official Weigh-in

Remote Weigh in – Official and unofficial for U14 and Novice & Intermediate Divisions
for U18 & U21 – Locations – https://registration.judocanada.org/event/2026-matsuru-pacific-international-judo-championships/1003386/?admin=1

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026
Richmond Olympic Oval – In competition area
6111 River Rd, Richmond, BC
1:00 – 4:00 pm Accreditation Pick-up – Judo BC Table at entrance to competition area
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Official Weigh-in for U16
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Official Weigh-in for Seniors
4:00 pm End of Official Weigh-in

Each athlete must present identification. This includes accreditation card, and proper ID. Photo ID is required for athletes U18 and older.

Examples of proper ID: drivers’ licence, Canadian passport, citizenship card, permanent resident card, medical card, student card. Photocopies and digital copies of proper ID are acceptable.

Athletes who are fighting 2 days in a row, will need to weigh-in at the designated time for the first day competition.

For the second day competition, athletes will be considered “checked-in” for their second day competition, unless notification is given by the athlete, parent, or coach to the Tournament Director or Head Table that they are unable to compete. Please notify us no later than 30 minutes after the end of the competition on Saturday, March 14, 2026

Removal of Clothing for Weigh-in

• U14 AND OLDER ATHLETES: Must be in underwear (underpants and bra; t-shirt optional). Athletes of these age divisions are NOT allowed to remove their underclothing. 0.2 kg weight tolerance is allowed.
• FOR EVERYONE: No socks or jewelry allowed.

Warm-up Area

The warm-up area will be located next to the competition area in the Oval. Competition mats will be used for warm-up only at the start of the day. There may be no breaks during competition in between blocks for warm-up.

Water

Please bring a water bottle. We encourage the use of the water fountains on site.

Uniform

Judogi: White judogi is mandatory. Blue judogi is optional for U14 and Novice. Blue judogi can only be worn if your name is the second person. eg. Smith vs Lam, if you are Lam, you may wear a blue judogi. Judogis should be the appropriate size. Sleeves at minimum should reach your wrist bone, top of your hand (when arms are outstretched straight in front of your body). Pants at minimum should reach your ankle bone.

T-shirt: Female judokas must wear a white round neck t-shirt under their judogi. Coloured t-shirts or v-neck t-shirts are not allowed.

Hair: Hair must not fall on or below the collar of the judogi. Hair ties should not have any metal.

Awards/Medals

Athletes are required to wear a White judogi for medal presentation. Medals will be awarded for first, second and third place. All medal winners must win at least one match. Medals will be awarded after the division is completed. 

Draw

The groups, mat locations, and match numbers will be posted on March 13 evening at judocanada.live. Please have a look and be prepared to go to your designated mat after warm-up so that we may start the competition promptly.

Coaches

Eligibility: Coaches must be minimum NCCP Dojo Instructor trained. Coaches who do not meet this requirement will not receive an accreditation card and will not be allowed to coach in the coaching chair.

Meetings: There will be a referee/coaches meeting Friday, March 13 at 7 pm at the Executive Hotel. It is strongly encouraged for all coaches to attend.

Referees

Meetings: There are two referee meetings scheduled

7:00 pm Friday, March 13 Executive Hotel
7:30 am Sunday, March 15 Richmond Oval Olympic

Rules: The new IJF rules will be used for this tournament. Here is a link to review the new rules: https://youtu.be/FLj5S7HEnGg

Teams: The referee teams will be sent out mid-week (~ Thursday, March 12) so you will know in advance who you will be refereeing with and what mat area you will be attached to. 

Tournament Results

Get the latest tournament results from www.live.judobc.ca. All tournament results are compiled and broadcasted live during competition by Judo BC, and later stored on this site.