Category: BROADSIDE-EN

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

Written By admin
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

An update for BENG-XXVI: We have an allotment for Assumburg Castle!

Written By admin

Assumburg Castle is the headquarters of the BENG Tournament organisation. But, it is also the place where many of our guests sleep!

As every year, we have arranged an allotment with the StayOkay organisation under the following terms:

    • The allotment runs until the end of February 2026, or until there are no more places in the castle.
    • If you call the Castle (+31 251 232 288) and tell them you are part of the SNJF BENG judo tournament, you will be part of the allotment.
    • NOTE: you must CALL the castle to book. DO NOT use sites like Booking.com!
    • Be quick! The castle runs out of places really soon!

THE BENG-XXV AFTERMOVIE!

Written By admin

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!

Official EJU European Kata Championships for Adapted Judo

Written By admin
This is a message for all our subscribers who are in the EJU (European Judo Union) region.

We are very happy to announce that EJU is organising official European Kata Championships for the Adapted Judo community. These will take place on June 10 and 11, 2024 in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

The official outlines can be downloaded through this link.

Please find below a message from the Special Needs Judo Foundation’s Technical Director, Tycho van der Werff:

Dear Friends,

The outlines for the EC Kata are out I am proud to say that Adapted Kata is again included. In 2019 we began with demonstrations, then in 2022 we had our first real Kata cup during the EC Kata. And now in 2024, for the first time, there will be real European Championships! Although we realise it is short notice, but let us all try to have as much A-kata judoka as possible in Sarajevo.

The Categories are:

Nage no Kata 1A and 1B
    • 1A (both A judoka)
    • 1B (Uke mainstream)

Scoring according to official kata rules, so no adaptations.

Adapted Nage no Kata, 1A and 1B

Techniques adapted where necessary because of the physical abilities of Tori, for example Ne waza Nage no Kata. 

    • 1A (both A judoka)
    • 1B (Uke mainstream)

I hope to see you all there at the EC in Sarajevo, let us show the world what we can achieve, even in such short notice.

See you soon!

Tycho van der Werff

This is a message from SNJF promoting participation in the EJU Kata Championships. SNJF is not directly involved in the organisation of the EJU Kata Championship. For all queries, requests and remarks, please refer to the contacts stated in the attached outlines.