Kathmandu: The seventh edition of the International Judo Championships 2025 and NECOS first Para Judo Championship is set to kick off from Wednesday at the Multi Purpose Martial Arts Centre, Naya Bazar. 

The three-day event being organised by National Judo Association under Nepal Confederation of Sports (NECOS) will see participation of players below 21 years age category, said the organisers at a press conference.    

According to Dharma Kumar Shrestha, the president of the National Judo Association, the men’s event will feature 12 weight divisions and women judoka will compete in 11 weight divisions. “We have been organising the age group event since the last seven years with the view to give exposure to junior players and showcase their talents at the big stage,” said Shrestha. 

Altogether 250 players from 35 teams including different dojos, districts and schools along with one team each from Bhutan and Thailand will compete in the international event. The male players will compete in -20kg, -25kg, -30kg, -35kg, -40kg, -45kg, -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -66kg, -73kg and open weight divisions. The female players will vie in -28kg, -32kg, -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, and above 63kg divisions.    

The First Para Judo Championships will feature two weight categories each – -52kg and -60kg – each in male and female categories. The event will also serve as a qualifier for Deaf Olympics to be held in November this year. A male player will be selected in the -60kg division and a female player in -52kg division for Deaf Olympics. 

The official meeting and tie sheet draw will take place on Wednesday while the game games will be conducted on Thursday and Friday. The expected cost of the event is Rs 1.49 million.