Invitation and Outlines for the XXVI Ben van der Eng Memorial, April 10-12, 2026

We are once again happy to invite you for the 26th edition of the Ben van der Eng Memorial, since 1998 the largest tournament for Special Needs judoka. The Ben van der Eng Memorial welcomes judoka with any physical or mental handicap, guaranteeing safety and fair play using our 5-level FCS divisioning system. The BENG! tournament on the Sunday is a happy judo party, whereas the more “serious” Special Needs World Judo Games for shiai and kata are organised on the Saturday.
Take part in our tournament for an inclusive and exciting experience!

Visually Impaired judokas

This year, we are also inviting judoka with a visual impairment. In the application form “Division” field, space is allowed for the selection of J1 and J2 judokas. Please also put “VI” or “Visually Impaired” in the remarks field.

What do we offer?

This is only a preliminary overview. If you decide to take part you will receive a more detailed outlines document mid-March.

  • Friday afternoon April 10 is the divisioning workshop. Very much recommended for first-time participants, so that we can assess their judo ability in the correct way. On that Friday we will also start the weigh-in.
  • Friday afternoon is also the time for various workshops. The exact subject will be shown in the final outlines.
  • Saturday morning April 11 it is time for the Special Needs World Judo Games (SNWJG), a tournament for level 1-3 judoka of 16 years and older and VI judokas J1 and J2. The entourage of this tournament is a bit more formal than the Sunday event: Audience in the stands, electronic score- and timekeeping, etc. Also, judoka unable to do the weigh-in on Friday can do this on Saturday.
  • Saturday afternoon the second SNWJG tournament takes place: SNWJG Kata. We are happy to welcome more and more kata enthusiasts each year and tosee growth in the Adapted Kata judo sport!
  • Saturday evening we will shake Beverwijk with a party in Assumburg Castle.
  • Sunday April 12 we will organise BENG!, the greatest judo party on the planet, for all levels. In a more informal setting, with supporters on the tournament floor. As a note: On Sunday we will also run part of the competition under the “randori” rules.

Location

Sporthal De Walvis
Van Loenenlaan 1
1945 ZH Beverwijk
The Netherlands

Hotels

First of all: You must arrange your sleeping venue yourself. SNJF does not help you in booking, or act as a go-between. The main hotel is StayOkay Slot Assumburg which is also the tournament headquarters. They also take our guests but you need to book early, as Assumburg is often booked full by the end of January.

We do not recommend hotels, but please note that if you wish to make use of our shuttle service, you must book your hotel in one of the following places:

  • Beverwijk
  • IJmuiden
  • Heemskerk
  • Beverwijk
  • Wijk aan Zee
  • Spaarnwoude

Outside these places we do not run the shuttle service and you may need to make taxi costs which can be expensive.

Costs for the shuttle service are € 20,– per person, for the whole weekend. Shuttles run from Thursday 9 until Monday 13th of April. It is extremely important to also note your flight times on the application form, for correct planning, or convey them later to woc@specialneedsjudo.nl

Prices

  • SNWJG: € 10,-
  • SNWJG KATA: € 15,- per couple
  • BENG:€ 7,50,- per judoka
  • Shuttle service: € 20,- per person

How do I apply?

First of all, download the form THROUGH THIS LINK

Fill in the form as thorough as possible. We cannot repeat this enough, we have seen many disappointments and misunderstandings in the past due to incomplete or wrong information. So please take your time. The amount due will be shown on the INVOICE page of the form on which you can also find payment instructions.

When you are done, send the form only to woc@specialneedsjudo.nl

After your application is received, you will receive a confirmation email and you will be put on the APPLICANTS mailing list, meaning that somewhere mid-March you will receive the final outline information.

Closure date is March 15th

About the 26th Ben van der Eng Memorial

WHEN will it all take place?

BENG-XXVI Is scheduled for April 10-12, 2026

WHERE will it take place?

Like the ast 25 years, in Sporthal De Walvis, van Loenenlaan 1 in Beverwijk, the Netherlands

WHERE do I sleep?

There are a large number of hotels in Beverwijk, Wijk aan Zee, Heemskerk. Should you wish to sleep in the Tournament Headquarters, Assumburg Castle, then please call them at
+31 251 232 288 and let them know you are booking for the large judo tournament in April.

WHEN will the application start?

We do not have a definitive date, but we expect to issue invitations starting mid-November.

WHAT is the program?

  • Friday April 10th: Divisioning and weigh-in for Saturday
  • Saturday morning April 11: Special Needs World Judo Games: Shiai for FCS levels 1-3
  • Saturday afternoon April 11th: Special Needs World Judo Games KATA, for everyone.
  • Sunday April 12th: BENG-26, the big judo celebration for all levels and ages

There are new judo rules upcoming, will SNJF apply them to this tournament?

We are aware of the new rules, and if there are any adjustment for our tournament, we will certainly publish them.

THE BENG-XXV AFTERMOVIE!

Normally, BENG! aftermovies show how much fun we had, highlighting a few spectacular moments on the mat. But this time is different. This was our 25th tournament – a special anniversary – and we could never have reached this milestone without the tireless dedication of our volunteers, the unwavering loyalty of our participants, and the heartfelt support of everyone who holds our tournament dear.

That is why this aftermovie is not just a look back, but a sincere tribute. To the hundreds of incredible people who, year after year, make the Special Needs Judo tournament possible: this milestone belongs to you!

BENG-XXVI IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 10-12, 2026

Until then, Until BENG!

THANKS for being with us!

It is over, and BENG-XXIV was a great success, not in the least because of our fabulous guests! We are already looking forward towards BENG-XXV, the 25th edition of our great tournament that is planned for (save this date):

April 4-6 2025! 

During this week we will publish the photographs (yes, the team took almost 37.000!) and a little bit later the aftermovie, and then we will be silent until September when we will pick up the organisation of BENG-XXV.

Thanks for coming, and until BENG!

20240412 Photos BENG-XXIV

We pride ourselves in publishing our pictures as soon as possible after the event and that was even harder this year because we have three photographers and they produced 36.944 pictures from which to choose.. not counting videos. But, we did it again and you can view the selection through this website.

The pictures we made of the medal ceremonies will be published later this week.

Click here to view the album.

Photos by Bob Lefevere, Janienke Roelfsema and Mariska Waanders.