The gi check is the uniform inspection before a judo or BJJ match, where an official measures sleeves, trousers, collar and belt against the rulebook. An athlete who fails changes gi or does not compete.
- In judo: IJF judogi control before each contest; approval labels, measurements, belt; two chances.
- In BJJ: IBJJF uniform inspection before the weigh-in; sleeves, trousers, collar, belt; three chances.
- Vocabulary: judogi, the judo practice uniform; obi, the belt; zubon, the trousers (judoinfo.com terms list).
What does the IBJJF gi check measure?
The IBJJF Rules Book lists the checks made with the uniform measuring tool:
- Sleeves and trousers: no more than 2 cm short of the wrist and the ankle bone.
- Slack in the sleeve and in the trouser leg: up to 7 cm.
- Collar: at most 1.3 cm thick and 5 cm wide.
- Belt: 4 to 5 cm wide, ends hanging 20 to 30 cm from a double knot.
- Condition: no tears or mending, dry, clean, and one colour for jacket and trousers.
Every athlete gets three inspections to pass. After the weigh-in you cannot change gi before your first match, under penalty of disqualification.
What does the IJF judogi control check?
The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules check the IJF approval label on jacket, trousers and belt, the back number, the national emblem and advertising, then the measurements: jacket skirt length, lapel crossing, sleeve room with the sokuteiki, sleeves over the wrist bone, trousers within 5 cm of the ankle bone, and the belt. Pads must be soft with no metal or rigid parts. An athlete who fails gets one more chance.
How do you pass the gi check?
Measure your gi at home against the current rulebook, after washing, because cotton shrinks. Bring a second gi if you own one. Sew patches on before the event and photograph the allowed positions from the rulebook. Tie the belt with a flat knot and even ends. Arrive with time to spare so a failed check is an inconvenience and never a forfeit.
Is the gi check the same in judo and BJJ?
The aim is the same: a uniform the opponent can grip and nothing that can hurt them. The numbers differ, the IJF adds its approval labels, and the number of chances differs, two in judo and three under the IBJJF. Read the current edition before every event.
Everything else for the day is in our competition day essentials.
Sources
- Judoinfo.com terms list, JudoInfo
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation