Section 6: Scoring
6.1 Ippon (Full Point — Instant Win)
An ippon immediately ends the match. It is awarded for any of the following:
- Throw: Executing a throwing technique that lands the opponent largely on their back with considerable force, speed, and control. All three elements must be present for ippon; the absence of any one element may reduce the score to waza-ari.
- Pin (Osaekomi): Holding the opponent on their back in a controlled pin for 20 seconds. The pin must immobilize the opponent's torso and prevent them from escaping or bridging free.
- Submission: Forcing the opponent to tap out (submit) by verbal signal, tapping the mat or the opponent's body, or tapping with the foot. Submissions result from arm locks (elbow hyperextension) or chokes (blood/air restriction).
- Compound Waza-ari: Scoring two waza-ari in a single match. The second waza-ari is automatically upgraded to "waza-ari awasete ippon" (combined ippon), ending the match.
6.2 Waza-ari (Partial Score)
A waza-ari is awarded when a technique is effective but lacks one of the three ippon criteria (force, speed, or control). Common waza-ari scenarios include:
- A throw that lands the opponent on their side rather than squarely on the back.
- A throw with rotation but insufficient force or speed to warrant ippon.
- A pin held for 10 seconds or more but less than 20 seconds. The osaekomi timer runs continuously; if the pin reaches 20 seconds, it is upgraded to ippon.
There is no limit to the number of waza-ari that can be scored, but the second waza-ari ends the match as a combined ippon.
6.3 Score Hierarchy and Match Outcome
If a match reaches the end of regulation time without an ippon, the athlete with the higher score wins. The hierarchy is:
- Ippon — immediate victory (match does not reach time).
- Waza-ari — one waza-ari beats zero waza-ari.
- Fewer penalties — if scores are equal, the athlete with fewer shidos wins.
- Golden Score — if scores and penalties are identical, the match enters unlimited overtime. The first score or third-shido penalty decides the winner.
There is no draw in judo. Every match must produce a winner. In Golden Score, the Hantei (judges' decision) system has been abolished; only a concrete scoring action can decide the outcome.