White Gi called first

IJF changes seeding rules. Now all top seeds and Teddy Riner will start in white 6/9 In a circular to all national judo associations the International Judo Federation announced today that the White Judogi will be called first.

Without actually stating the obvious the IJF has signaled that all the top seeds will now be in white judogi when they start the competition. This will ensure that champions, such as Teddy Riner pictured on the right, are more likely to be seen on television and in pictures winning in white. Something that it is believed the Japanese have been lobbying for in the past.

The IJF circular signed by Jean-Luc Rouge and Vladimir Barta reads as follows:

"WHITE JUDOGI TO BE CALLED FIRST

From August 11, beginning with the World Championships for Cadets in Kiev, followed by the Senior World Championships in Paris, and in all subsequent IJF competitions, the order of preference with regard to the wearing of either blue or white judogi will be changed to white first.

This change will be reflected in all appropriate items such as contest sheets, scoreboards and fight indicator boards.

The IJF asks that all officials, coaches and competitors take note and use this 10 week notice period to prepare accordingly."