Introduction

Although many internationally renowned sports such as Pro Football, Basketball, Baseball, Ice Hockey, and Tennis have already established a Hall of Fame, you as a judo fan might have wondered why so many major sports are represented by their Hall of Fame, except for Judo.

As decided during by the Executive Committee of the IJF last year in Munich, until a permanent site for the IJF Hall of Fame is finalized, the "International Judo Federation Hall of Fame" will be located on the IJF Internet Web Site.

The idea behind a 'Hall Of Fame' is to celebrate and commemorate the best sportsman and women of a given sport. The first major one to establish itself was the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York since 1939. Through an annual election process, retired players are selected by a group of established baseball journalists.

This is the principle by which most others have followed, however in Judo, anybody can send a nomination to the IJF and this nomination is reviewed and voted upon by the IJF Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of the IJF Executive Committee, the IJF Commission Members and the IJF Commissioners.

The history of modern judo spans well over fifty years. In that time it has gone through many manifestations and changes in style (especially with the current economic upheaval that's taking place), but most importantly whatever athlete or country you support it's also produced some exhilarating moments and some magical athletes -- and continues to foster exciting legends for the future.

That's why honoring our heroes, officials and benefactors in the "International Judo Federation Hall of Fame" is so necessary at present through our web site and in the future in a magnificent new building that will become a shrine for fans and an exciting new leisure complex in its own right.

Our hope for a permanent site, celebrating the spirit and enjoyment of the game itself, this complex will be a magnificent, state-of-the-art building featuring a museum, film auditoriums, an interactive entertainment center, a training area, a mini-stadium and, of course, at its heart the actual 'Hall of Fame' itself -- a showcase for the chosen few who can truly be called legends!

That's the "International Judo Federation Hall of Fame". An inspirational new concept and leisure complex for the players and the fans.

It's been far too long in coming -- but now it's become a reality!

Selection Procedure

In order to formally recognize the achievements of those judokas, referees, coaches, and contributors who have given outstanding contributions, leadership, and abilities to the development and diffusion of the sport of judo on a worldwide level, the IJF will provide membership in the IJF Hall of Fame.

After researching the selection methods of various professional and amateur sports Hall of Fames, we have provided the following proposal for a selection process and election to the Hall of Fame.

As we do not currently have a location to place our Hall of Fame, for the time being we will use the IJF Internet Web Site as our location for the Hall of Fame. In the future, we can start to collect historical memorabilia and documentation for permanent placement in the IJF Hall of Fame.

Selection Process
Anyone may nominate a worthy candidate by writing a nomination to the General Secretary or President of the IJF.
The nomination must include a detailed biography and background information, any press clippings and at least 2 letters of recommendation, preferably from the National Federation and Continental Union of which that individual is a affiliated to.

Athletes must have been retired for at least 3 years before consideration into the Judo Hall of Fame. Referees must be retired for at least 5 years and coaches must have coached for 25 years or be retired for 5 years. Contributors are eligible anytime after having retired from their capacity in the sport.

The Selection Committee to be chaired by the President of the International Judo Federation shall be composed of the Executive Committee (11), Commissioners (3), and Commission Members (15) of the IJF. Voting will be based on achievements and the Selection Committee will decide on the number of inductees each year.

Voting is done at an annual Meeting occurring during an IJF Event where members of the EC, Commissioners, and the three Commissions are present.

A nominee must receive at least 80% of the votes of the Selection Committee to become elected.

The voting shall be done in a closed session conducted by secret ballot.