Judo is a Japanese martial art developed in the 19th century. The word means "way of gentleness," which reflects its central theme of maximum efficiency and grace. As a modern combat sport, judo is subject to official rules from a variety of organizations, among the most prominent of which is the International Judo Federation. The uniform for judo is called a judogi.
Composition and Manufacture
According to IJF regulations, the judogi should be made of at least 70 percent cotton. It should be strongly manufactured so it can withstand repeated use because the gi cannot be used in competition with rips or tears. The material must not be of a composition or design that prevents an opponent from taking a grip.
Color
Two colors for the judogi are permitted in judo competition. The first contestant must wear blue and the second contestant white or off-white. Regardless of the color of the judogi, female contestants must wear a white short-sleeved short or leotard under the judogi.
Size
The size requirements of a judogi are based on the size of the contestant. To be fair, a gi jacket must extend downward to at least cover the thighs and reach to the fists when the arms are down at the sides. The sleeves must extend to a point between the wrist joint and 5cm above the wrist joint, and must be wide enough as to create a space of 10 to 15cm between the fabric and the arm along the full length of the sleeve.The left side of the jacket is worn crossed over the right with a minimum overlap of 20cm at the bottom of the rib-cage. The trousers must cover the legs to a point between the ankle joint and 5cm above the ankle joint. The pant legs must be wide enough to create a space of 10 to 15cm between the fabric and the leg along the entire length of the pant.
Acceptable Markings
The IJF also strictly controls the types of marking that can appear on a judogi in competition. The size and placement of the marking depend on their nature. For example, manufacturers' marks can be up to 20 square centimeters and must be on the bottom-front of the jacket, bottom front of left leg of the trousers and on one end of the belt. A national emblem of no more than 100 square centimeters can be worn on the left breast of the jacket. The contestant's name can be worn on the belt, on the lower front of the jacket or upper front of the trousers.
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