Judo Club Vicomtois Prepares for 20th Anniversary of Challenge de la Comté
The youth judo community in central France is gearing up for a significant milestone as the Judo Club Vicomtois prepares to host the 20th edition of the Challenge de la Comté. Scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2026, the event will bring together young athletes from across the region for a day of competition and skill demonstration at the salle omnisport André Boste in Vic le Comte.
For two decades, the Challenge de la Comté has served as a critical developmental stepping stone for young judoka, offering a structured environment where beginners and intermediate players can test their techniques. This anniversary edition maintains the event’s tradition of inclusivity across multiple youth age brackets, ensuring that athletes from the earliest competitive stages through to the minimes category have a platform to compete.
Event Logistics and Venue
The competition will take place at the gymnase salle omnisport André Boste, located on Route d’Ambert in Vic le Comte (63270). The facility will be open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time. In a move to keep the sport accessible to families and developing athletes, the event is listed as free of charge.
Because What we have is an invitation-only event, registration is not open to the general public. Participating athletes must be registered via the FFJudo extranet before the established deadline. All competitors are required to hold a valid FFJDA license to be eligible for competition. the organizers have explicitly stated that no additional registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.
Eligibility and Belt Requirements
The Challenge de la Comté is strictly organized by age and skill level to ensure fair matchmaking and athlete safety. The event is open to the following categories:
- Mini Poussins (2nd year): Specifically for those born in 2018.
- Poussins: For those born in 2016 and 2017.
- Benjamins: For those born in 2014 and 2015.
- Minimes: For those born in 2012 and 2013.
Beyond age, there are minimum technical requirements for entry. Mini poussins and poussins must hold at least a white/yellow belt. Benjamins are required to have reached a minimum of a yellow/orange belt to participate.
Competition Schedule
The day is structured into three primary blocks to manage the flow of athletes and ensure adequate warm-up time for each age group. For those traveling to the venue, the schedule is as follows:
| Time | Activity | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Check-in / Presence Control | Mini Poussins (2018) & Minimes (2012/2013) |
| 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Warm-up | Mini Poussins & Minimes |
| 10:00 AM | Competition Start | Mini Poussins |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Check-in / Presence Control | Benjamins (2014/2015) |
| 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Warm-up | Benjamins |
| 11:30 AM | Competition Start | Benjamins |
| 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Check-in / Presence Control | Poussins (2016/2017) |
| 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Warm-up | Poussins |
| 2:30 PM | Competition Start | Poussins |
| 4:00 PM | Awards Ceremony | All Clubs |
Technical Rules and Scoring
The Challenge de la Comté employs different scoring systems depending on the age of the competitor, balancing the need for technical rigor with the developmental needs of younger children.
Mini Poussins and Poussins
Younger athletes are grouped by morphology and divided into pools. Their matches, known as Randori, last 1 minute and 30 seconds. The scoring is based on a point system (maximum 10 points per randori) focused on immobilization:
- Yuko: 5 to 9 seconds of immobilization.
- Waza-ari: 10 to 19 seconds of immobilization (7 points).
- Ippon: 20 seconds or more of immobilization (10 points).
The winner in these categories is determined first by the number of victories, and then by the total points accumulated.
Benjamins and Minimes
For the older categories, the Randori duration is extended to 2 minutes. Unlike the simplified point system used for the younger children, these categories follow standard federal regulations.
Administrative and Safety Guidelines
To maintain order and safety within the gymnasium, the Judo Club Vicomtois has implemented strict accompaniment and officiating rules. Each participating club must designate one adult representative for the duration of the event. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Notably, the event rules specify that coaches are not permitted.
Officiating is a collaborative effort; while a head referee is appointed for the Challenge, every invited club is required to provide at least one confirmed referee (either a titled referee or a club referee). Any disputes regarding officiating will be handled by the organizing committee, which consists of the club’s board of directors and the instructor from the Judo Club Vicomtois.
For those looking for more information on the organizers or to track the club’s current activities, the official Challenge de la Comté page provides the full regulatory framework.
Key Takeaways for Participants
- Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026.
- Location: Salle omnisport André Boste, Vic le Comte.
- Requirements: FFJDA license and specific belt minimums (White/Yellow for Poussins; Yellow/Orange for Benjamins).
- Format: Invitation-only; registration must be completed via the FFJudo extranet.
- Special Rule: No coaches allowed; one adult representative per club is mandatory.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the event is the registration deadline on the FFJudo extranet. Clubs and athletes are encouraged to finalize their entries well in advance of the May 31 date.
