Ippon is the maximum score in judo and ends the match instantly. It is awarded for a throw that puts the opponent largely on their back with control, speed and force; for pinning the opponent (osae-komi) for 20 seconds; or for a successful submission — a strangle (shime-waza) or armlock (kansetsu-waza) that forces the opponent to tap out. Ippon represents the ideal of judo: a single decisive technique executed perfectly. Two waza-ari (half-point scores) also combine to make ippon. The pursuit of the clean ippon throw, rather than winning narrowly on lesser scores, is central to judo’s competitive ideal.
Key points
- The full, match-winning score
- Clean back throw, 20s pin, or submission
- Ends the match instantly
- Two waza-ari combine for ippon