Visually impaired male and female athletes compete in events in various body weight categories. While male athletes take part in seven body weight categories (-60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg and +100kg), women compete in six categories (-48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg and +70kg). Athletes participate in classes that focus on the key elements of balance, touch, sensitivity and instinct. A main referee and two judges arbitrate a Judo contest. All officials are of equal status and calls are decided by vote. The main referee calls all points and penalties. The referee gives the signal "hajime" for the beginning of the match after the two athletes have already come into contact by touching each other's shoulders in order to calculate the distance between them (called the grip). The only difference between Olympic and Paralympic Judo is that judokas grab their opponents judogi before the start of the match.

The two judokas - the first in a blue judogi (Judo uniform) and the second in a white judogi - compete for five minutes. To win the contest, a judoka must score an "Ippon" (a score equalling 10 points) by using a successful technique. This can be achieved by throwing the opponent on his back with force, speed and control. Other ways of scoring include grappling techniques to immobilize (25 seconds) or gain a submission with arm locks or strangle holds. Lesser scores can be awarded when a technique does not merit an Ippon, such as 1/2 point "wazaari", 1/4 point "yuko" and 1/8 point "koka". If neither of the judokas completes an Ippon by the end of the match, the winner is the one with the highest score. In the case there is no score or if the score is even, there will be a situation called the "golden score", where the first person to score a point wins. If after five minutes there still is no score, the officials will decide the match.