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the Blind Judo Foundation A non profit 501 (C) (3) Corporation
"America doesn't support its athletes,
Americans do"
The Paralympics are designed for the Physically Disabled
Athlete in both the Summer and Winter Games. They compete
in almost all of the events of the Olympic Games.
The athletes in Judo are Blind and Visually Impaired and
compete with the same rules as the sighted athletes, the
only difference is the beginning of the match where both
competitors hold on to each other, at that time the referee
says "Hajime" (begin). Both male and female athletes
compete in Judo.
At the 2000 Paralympic Games the United States Paralympic
Judo Team won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and a Bronze Medal in Sydney,
Australia. Team USA won top honors as the Number 1 team
in the World and the 2 Gold Medals were a first for America
since Judo was introduced in 1964 and have not been matched
with the sighted team.
The 2004 results in Athens where also momentious with the
winning of one Silver and two Bronze Medals continuing to
prove that blind and visually impaired individuals can compete
and win at the Olympic level (Paralympics).
The 2008 US Paralympic Judo Team once again
showed its commitment and dedication in making a difference
in the blind and visually impaired community by returning
a Bronze Medal from the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
The Blind Judo Foundation continues to introduce
and create champions of blind and visually impaired individuals
through the sport of Judo. As a nonprofit organization we
constantly seek funding and sponsors to support those brave
individuals willing to step on the Judo mat. Unfortunately
Paralympians do not get the same financial support or media
coverage as Olympians yet they meet the same requirements,
standards and compete at the same venues.
The Blind Judo Foundation and its athletes
are making a difference.
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