There are a total of 14 Olympic events, seven each for men and women, all designated by the weight limits of the athletes permitted in each category or class.  Judo, like the other combat sports in the Olympic Games (boxing, taekwondo, wrestling), awards two bronze medals.        

Men                                                Women
60kg             Extra-Lightweight      -48kg
60-66kg        Half-Lightweight        48-52kg
66-73kg        Lightweight               52-57kg    
73-81kg        Half-Middleweight     57-63kg
81-90kg        Middleweight            63-70kg
90-100kg      Half-Heavyweight     70-78kg
+100kg         Heavyweight            +78kg

Judo is one of seven Olympic sports that will take place at ExCeL (Exhibition Centre London).

London 2012 Storylines:

Fittingly, judo made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Games in Tokyo, featuring four men's events.  Off the program in 1968, judo returned to the Olympic Games for good in Munich 1972.  Therefore London 2012 will mark the 40th anniversary of judo's return to the Olympic program as well as the 12th appearance of the sport at the Games. Women's judo debuted at the Olympic Games in 1988 as a demonstration sport and gained full medal status for Barcelona 1992. London 2012 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of women's judo.

Canada's Outlook:

Canada has enjoyed some success in judo, having won four Olympic medals, most recently a silver by Nicholas Gill in the half-heavyweight (90-100kg) category in Sydney 2000.

An interesting showdown is developing within Canada for the one Olympic berth in the -60kg category.  Frazer Will was Canada's top judoka in Beijing 2008, tying for seventh in that category.  But he will face a major challenge from Sergio Pessoa.  The Brazilian immigrant has genetics on his side as his father, also named Sergio, competed for Brazil in Seoul 1988.

The women's team has seen strong results from Kelita Zupancic(63-70kg), who earned a bronze medal at the 2011 IJF Grand Slam event in Rio.  The 21-year-old is looking to make her Olympic debut in London 2012.  The 70-78kg category could also have an internal showdown for the lone Olympic berth with two women: Catherine Roberge and Amy Cotton.  They'll both contend with Marylise Lévesque, who was Canada's lone female judoka in Beijing 2008, finishing tied for ninth.  

International Athletes – At a Glance:

MEN

Rishod Sobirov – Uzbekistan (-60kg)

• 2010 and 2011 World Champion
• 2008 Olympic bronze medallist

Kim Jae-Bum – South Korea (73-81kg)

• 2010 and 2011 World Champion
• 2008 Olympic silver medallist

Teddy Riner – France (+100kg)

• Four-time World Champion (2011, 2010, 2009, 2007)
• 2008 Olympic bronze medallist

WOMEN

Misato Nakamura – Japan (48-52kg)

• 2009 and 2011 World Champion
• 2010 World silver medallist
• 2008 Olympic bronze medallist

Lucie Décosse – France (63-70kg)

• 2010 and 2011 World Champion
• 2008 Olympic silver medallist in the 57-63kg category but chose to move up a weight class following Beijing