There has been a lot of discussion about the validity of the new judo rules that states than leg grabs are verboten unless renraku- or kaeshi-waza. I am surprised that there wasn't more discussion on something that may affect us as consumers.

After January 1st 2011, the IJF intends to ban gi (and obi) from IJF events that have not passed an examination by IJF contracted laboratories, at the gi makers' expense. Any gi that doesn't have an "IJF Approved!" tag will be forbidden. Guess the sokuteiki wasn't enough.

This entails spending north of $1000 per testing, $1 for each little logo (of which there are 3 per gi : jacket, obi, pants, and a minimum order requirement of 3,000) and $50,000 for the privilege of sewing the logos on. The document also contains measure on fabric weave and lapels, for example.

Granted, most of us do not participate in IJF events, and as mere mortals this rule will largely not affect us. However this does mean that there will be a glass roof over the head of smaller gi manufacturers that will not be able to supply gi to elite athletes unless they pay the required fees. For those who can afford the IJF fees, the gi prices will probably rise. This means bad news for the customers, elite or not.

What's more, there are also the underlying moral choices behind such a decision.

The IJF seeks to unfairly restrain elite competition among gi makers to those few who are already prosperous enough to pay the fees to the IJF. In the interest of the free market, this is unacceptable. Judoka and non-judoka, what do you think? I think :

Screw the IJF.

EDIT : the official regulations can be found here : http://judoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=42871

If they just wanted to have stricter regulation on what standard of gi is allowed at high level competition I could understand it, I might not like it, but I could understand it.

Now if they are putting in these QC tests, then it makes sense for the gi-makers to pay for it themselves. What doesn't make sense is for them to have to pay $3 per gi to the IJF for the badges. That just stinks of money spinning on the IJF's part.

Also, if IJF approved gis are required at IJF level competition, hoe long will it be before the local orgs start making that a requirement for their own competitions? (Genuine question.)

I find it ironic that Maeda did more to promote Judo than the IJF ever have...

This isn't helping.

If they just wanted to have stricter regulation on what standard of gi is allowed at high level competition I could understand it, I might not like it, but I could understand it.

Now if they are putting in these QC tests, then it makes sense for the gi-makers to pay for it themselves. What doesn't make sense is for them to have to pay $3 per gi to the IJF for the badges. That just stinks of money spinning on the IJF's part.

Also, if IJF approved gis are required at IJF level competition, hoe long will it be before the local orgs start making that a requirement for their own competitions? (Genuine question.)

Hopefully never.

Also as a gi maker said to me, since when is IJF into the gi manufacturing business? Why charge for the tags when the gi makers are more than able to create them themselves?

I get paying for testing, I even get the tag thing (quick way to verify that a gi's certified), but how the Hell do they justify the $50k fee?

Nothing but a money grabber.

**** this game, I might have to switch to BJJ.

Hopefully never.


Agreed. I don't see myself competing internationally, so I pray such regulation doesn't reach the local level. Both my Gi's barely meet size regulation, I'd hate to have to buy new "IJF Approved" gis. That's money.

Plus with the fees that gi makers would have to pay, that cost could be passed on to the consumers. These things aren't cheap to begin with. Adding costs could possibly take Judo's status down to just being "widely available."

they'll be a trickle down effect though. just like how people like to purchase official NBA ball, MLB glove or hats and jerseys and such, there'll be people wanting to own official IJF gear. but i do think that it will affect the major manufacturers that much. it just means more sales to them. an athlete that didn't need to purchase that new gi, or several gis i guess, is forced to purchase them, which would have happened. and there really aren't that many judogi manufacturers to begin with. it's a fairly small market. i do feel really bad for the upstarts. this own't affect mizuno or adidas much, but fushida might feel this big time. i do think this is a good thing, but standardization should have happened like 40 years ago.

an athlete that didn't need to purchase that new gi, or several gis i guess, is forced to purchase them

Maybe.Or maybe that athlete, being unable to afford a closet full of new "proper" gi, is forced to quit. That's bad not only for manufacturers but for the sport as well.

[/quote] standardization should have happened like 40 years ago.[/quote]

Standardization does solve certain problems, but if standardization is the goal, all one needs is the standards. Tacking on exorbitant fees under the guise of cosistency is just legal extortion.

Maybe.Or maybe that athlete, being unable to afford a closet full of new "proper" gi, is forced to quit. That's bad not only for manufacturers but for the sport as well.

standardization should have happened like 40 years ago.[/quote]

Standardization does solve certain problems, but if standardization is the goal, all one needs is the standards. Tacking on exorbitant fees under the guise of cosistency is just legal extortion.[/quote]

i don't know, man,,, if you are good enough to fight IJF events, it means you put in time, effort, your blood into it. you won't quit over having to purchase 2 pairs of gis. you'll find a way to get them. i don't see IJF getting rich off of this though. in the end, i think the parties that benefit the most are the major labels. and the ijf did have standards, in terms of thickness, looseness, and length and such. there is a tool designed to test this at tournaments. the onus was on the athlete to adhere to the standard. now that onus is spread over the athlete AND the manufacturer.

Its an earner...simple

More than likely that they would back down in the face of fury from the people who make the gi. If all the manufacturers refuse to comply then its ya boo sucks.

Its an earner...simple

i don't want to be the defender of IJF, as i do not support the new greco-judo changes, but i don't think this is a simple 'earner'. lots of athletes complained about their opponents gi. too thick, too slippery, too narrow, too short, too hard, etc. this will help minimize that. unfortunately, this will cost money, but what doesn't? and i don't mind the 'official patch'. this means that non-official gis still can be manufacturered and purchased at the same price that it was. people won't expect you to wear ijf certified gi in local tournaments, just like you don't need to have blue gi at local tournaments for the recreational athletes.

Do athletes ever complain that their opponent was too *****?

no, but peeps do complain about yo mama's *****. too wide, too hairy, too stinky, etc.

Do athletes ever complain that their opponent was too *****?

Yeah, like bitching that you lost because of your opponent's gi. Isn't it standard procedure for the IJF-sanctioned referee's to inspect the uniform at the start of the match?! How hard is it to see that one of the Judoka is wearing a Shuai-jao jacket?