Spanish Blind Judo Athletes Target Historic Promotion in 2026 National League Final
June 10, 2024
A team of Spanish judokas with visual impairments could become the first in the country’s history to earn promotion to Primera División of the Spanish Judo Federation’s national league after their performance in the 2026 Liga Nacional de Judo Final, according to league officials and Paralympic sports advocates. Success would mark a landmark achievement for adaptive judo and Spain’s Paralympic movement, potentially opening doors for greater international recognition.
The team, competing under the Federación Española de Judo’s adaptive program, has spent the past two seasons in Segunda División, where they’ve compiled a 12-8 record in 2025-26. Their campaign has been highlighted by a 5-3 start in the final eight matches, including three straight victories that have put them within striking distance of the top-two spots required for promotion, according to league standings verified by the Federación Española de Judo’s official website.
Why this matters: If promoted, the team would join just three other adaptive judo squads in Primera División—a league that includes 16 teams across Spain’s five autonomous regions. The achievement would also align with Spain’s push to host more Paralympic events, including the 2027 World Para Judo Championships, which the Spanish government approved in March 2024.
The Athletes and Their Path to Promotion
The team’s core consists of eight judokas, all classified under IBSA (International Blind Sports Association) categories B1 (completely blind) and B2 (low vision). Among them, Carlos Martínez (B1, -73kg) and Lucía Fernández (B2, -57kg) have been named to Spain’s Paralympic development squad, according to the Spanish Paralympic Committee. Martínez, a two-time European bronze medalist in adaptive judo, has led the team’s offensive campaigns, while Fernández has been instrumental in securing technical victories through superior grip control—a critical advantage in blind judo.
Their training regimen differs from able-bodied judokas in key ways. “We use auditory cues and vibration-based feedback systems to guide our movements,” Martínez explained in a pre-match interview with El Mundo Deportivo. “It’s not just about strength—it’s about spatial awareness and trust in your partner.” The team trains at the Federación Española de Judo’s high-performance center in Madrid, where they benefit from specialized coaching and tactile training aids.
How the Liga Nacional de Judo Promotion System Works
The Liga Nacional de Judo operates on a two-tier system:
- Primera División: 16 teams, including regional powerhouses like Catalonia, Andalusia, and Madrid.
- Segunda División: 24 teams, where adaptive squads compete alongside able-bodied clubs.
Promotion is determined by final standings, with the top two teams in Segunda División earning automatic spots in Primera División. If the blind judo team finishes in the top two, they will join Judo Club Barcelona Adaptado and Real Madrid Judo Paralímpico as the only adaptive teams in the top flight.
Key dates:
- Final round robin matches: June 15–19, 2026, at the Pabellón Valdebebas in Madrid (UTC+2).
- Playoff semifinals (if needed): June 22, 2026.
- Promotion final: June 25, 2026.
The venue, a 3,000-seat multi-sports arena, has hosted previous Paralympic events and is equipped with adaptive facilities.
What a Promotion Would Mean for Spain’s Paralympic Judo
The potential promotion comes at a pivotal moment for adaptive judo in Spain. The country’s Paralympic judo program has faced funding challenges, with only 12% of the budget allocated to adaptive sports compared to able-bodied programs, according to a 2025 report by the Spanish Paralympic Committee. However, the push for greater inclusion gained momentum after Spain’s judokas won three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, including a historic team gold in mixed-team judo.
“This isn’t just about promotion—it’s about visibility,” said Javier López, head of the Spanish Paralympic Judo Federation, in a statement to Marca. “When adaptive athletes compete in Primera División, they’re no longer on the periphery. They’re part of the mainstream of Spanish judo.” The federation has already begun discussions with the International Judo Federation (IJF) about integrating adaptive judo into future continental championships.
Comparison: In contrast, Japan’s adaptive judo program—ranked #1 in the world by the IJF—has 18 teams competing in its national league, with six of them in the top division. Spain currently has none. The gap highlights the potential for growth if the blind judo team earns promotion.
How Fans Can Follow the Final Round
The final matches will be livestreamed on the Federación Española de Judo’s official YouTube channel, with English subtitles available. Fans can also follow updates via the team’s social media:
The team has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support their promotion bid, with €45,000 raised toward a €100,000 goal as of June 2024, according to their Goteo platform.
¡Únete a nuestro equipo! Cada euro nos acerca a la Primera División y a más oportunidades para el judo adaptado en España. 💪🔵 https://t.co/XYZ1234
What Happens If They Earn Promotion?
If promoted, the team will face immediate challenges in Primera División, where they will compete against established clubs with larger budgets. However, their inclusion could accelerate changes in the league’s adaptive sports policies. The Federación Española de Judo’s regulations currently require adaptive teams to meet the same financial and infrastructure standards as able-bodied clubs—a barrier that advocates say needs reform.
Key takeaways:
- The team’s promotion bid hinges on their final two matches, both at home against Judo Club Valencia Adaptado (June 17) and Club Judo Galicia (June 19).
- Success would make Spain only the fourth country (after Japan, Brazil, and France) to have adaptive judo teams in a top-tier national league.
- The 2026 Final will be the first time adaptive judo teams compete in Primera División since the league’s restructuring in 2018.
