The IBJJF is one of the most prestigious organizations in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It holds many competitions worldwide, and athletes are divided into many weight classes. So, if you want to compete in their Gi and No-Gi competitions, you should be familiar with the various IBJJF weight categories.
This article will describe the various IBJJF weight divisions and classifications. We’ll discuss the adult men’s, women’s, and youth’s weight brackets, among other fascinating divisions. Stay tuned!
Different IBJJF Weight Classes
Because of its extensive weight and age categories, the IBJJF allows participants of all ranks and ages to compete. As a result, everybody who wishes to compete, from children to adults, can choose a division that meets their ability level.
Here are the main IBJJ weight divisions:
- Male Adults/Masters Gi
- Female Adults/Masters Gi
- Male Juvenile Gi
- Female Juvenile Gi
- Male Adults/Masters No Gi
- Female Adults/Masters No Gi
- Male Juvenile No Gi
- Female Juvenile No Gi
However, many beginner athletes are perplexed by IBJJF weight divisions because Gi and no-gi events have specific differences.
Otherwise, masters and adults compete in the same weight categories. However, juvenile athletes compete in distinct weight classes with different weight limitations.
Let’s dive in-depth into each IBJJF weight category!
Male Adults/Masters Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
The IBJJF gi BJJ weight classes are lighter than the no-gi classes by 1.9 to 3 kg. Here are male adults/masters Gi IBJJF weight classes:
| IBJJF Male Adults/Master Gi Division | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 57.5 kg (127 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 57.5 kg to 64 kg (127 – 141.6 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 64 kg to 70 kg (141.6 – 154.6 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 70 kg to 76 kg (154.6 – 168 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 76 kg to 82.3 kg (168 – 181.6 lbs) |
| Medium-Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 82.3 kg to 88.3 kg (181.6 – 195 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 88.3 kg to 94.3 kg (195 – 208 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy (Super-Pesado) | 94.3 kg to 100.5 kg (208 – 222 lbs) |
| Ultra heavy (Pesadissimo) | 0ver 100.5 kg (222 lbs and up) |
| Open class | Open to all weight classes |
Female Adults/Masters Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
| IBJJF Gi Female Weight Division | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 48.5kg (107 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 48.5kg to 53.5 kg (107 – 118 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 53.5 kg to 58.5 kg (118 – 129 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 58.5 kg to 64 kg (129 – 141.6 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 64 kg to 69 kg (141.6 – 152.6 lbs) |
| Medium-Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 69 to 74 kg (152.6 – 163.6 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 74 kg to 79.3 kg (163.6 – 175 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy (Super-Pesado) | Over 79.3 kg (175 lbs) |
| Open class | Open to all weight classes |
Male Juvenile Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
| Male Juvenile Gi IBJJF Classes | Weight limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 53.50 kg (117.9 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 53.50 kg to 58.50 kg (117.9 lbs – 129.0 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 58.50 kg to 64 kg (129.0 lbs – 141.1 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 64 kg to 69 kg (141.1 lbs – 152.1 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 69 kg to 74 kg (152.1 lbs – 163.1 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 74 kg to 79.30 kg (163.1 lbs – 174.8 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 79.30 kg to 84.30 kg (174.8 lbs – 185.8 lbs) |
| Super Heavy (Super-Pesado) | 84.30 kg to 89.30 kg (185.8 lbs – 196.9 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy (Ultra-Pesado) | Over 89.30 kg (196.9 lbs) |
| Open Class | No weight limit |
IBJJF Female Juvenile Gi Weight Classes
| IBJJF Female Juvenile Gi Classes | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 44.30 kg (97.7 lbs) |
| Light Feather (Pluma) | 44.30 kg to 48.30 kg (97.7 lbs – 106.5 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 48.30 kg to 52.50 kg (106.5 lbs – 115.7 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 52.50 kg to 56.50 kg (115.7 lbs – 124.6 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 56.50 kg to 60.50 kg (124.6 lbs – 133.4 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 60.50 kg to 65 kg (133.4 lbs – 143.3 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 65 kg to 69 kg (143.3 lbs – 152.1 lbs) |
| Super Heavy (Super-Pesado) | Over 69 kg (152.1 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy (Ultra-Pesado) | Depends on the IBJJF tournament rules |
| Open Class | Depends on the IBJJF tournament rules |
Male Adults/Masters No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
| Male Adults/Masters No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 55.6 kg (122.6 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 55.6 kg to 61.7 kg (122.6 – 136 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 61.7kg to 67.5 kg (136 – 149 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 67.5 kg to 73.5 kg (149 – 162.6 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 73.5 kg to 79.6 kg (162.6 – 175.6 lbs) |
| Medium-Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 79.6 kg to 85.5 kg (175.6 – 188.6 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 85.5 kg to 91.6 kg (188.6 – 202 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy (Super-Pesado) | 91.6 kg to 97.5 kg (202 – 215 lbs) |
| Ultra heavy (Pesadissimo) | Over 97.5 kg (215 lbs) |
| Open class | Open to all weight classes |
Female Adults/Masters No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
The IBJJF women’s no-gi classes are 1.8 – 2.7 kg lighter than the gi weight classes.
| Female Adults/Masters No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 46.7kg (103 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 46.7kg to 51.7 kg (103 – 114 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 51.7 kg to 56.7 kg (114 – 125 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 56.7 kg to 61.6 kg (125 – 136 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 61.6 kg to 66.7 kg (136 – 147 lbs) |
| Medium-Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 66.7 to 71.6 kg (147 – 158 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 71.6 kg to 76.6 kg (158 – 169 lbs) |
| Super-Heavy (Super-Pesado) | Over 76.6 kg (169 lbs) |
| Open class | Open to all weight classes |
Male Juvenile No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
| Male Juvenile No Gi Classes | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 51.50 kg (113.5 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 51.50 kg to 56.50 kg (113.5 lbs – 124.6 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 56.50 kg to 61.50 kg (124.6 lbs – 135.6 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 61.50 kg to 66.50 kg (135.6 lbs – 146.6 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 66.50 kg to 71.50 kg (146.6 lbs – 157.6 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 71.50 kg to 76.50 kg (157.6 lbs – 168.7 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 76.50 kg to 81.50 kg (168.7 lbs – 179.7 lbs) |
| Super Heavy (Super-Pesado) | 81.50 kg to 86.50 kg (179.7 lbs – 190.7 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy | Over 86.50 kg (190.7 lbs) |
| Open Class | Depends on the IBJJF tournament rules |
Female Juvenile No Gi IBJJF Weight Classes
| Female Juvenile No Gi IBJJF Classes | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | Under 42.50 kg (93.7 lbs) |
| Light feather (Pluma) | 42.50 kg to 46.50 kg (93.7 lbs – 102.5 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 46.50 kg to 50.50 kg (102.5 lbs – 111.3 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 50.50 kg to 54.50 kg (111.3 lbs – 120.2 lbs) |
| Middle (Medio) | 54.50 kg to 58.50 kg (120.2 lbs – 129.0 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 58.50 kg to 62.50 kg (129.0 lbs – 137.8 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 62.50 kg to 66.50 kg (137.8 lbs – 146.6 lbs) |
| Super Heavy (Super-Pesado) | Over 66.50 kg (146.6 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy (Ultra-Pesado) | Depends on the IBJJF tournament rules |
| Open Class | Depends on the IBJJF tournament rules |
Different IBJJF Age Divisions
There are 22 age groups ranging from 4 to 61 years old, divided into youth and adult divisions.
IBJJF Adult Age Divisions
| IBJJF Adult Age Division | Athlete’s Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Adults | 18 years old and under 30 years old |
| Masters 1 | 30 years old and under 36 years old |
| Masters 2 | 36 years old and under 41 years old |
| Masters 3 | 41 years old and under 46 years old |
| Masters 4 | 46 years old and under 51 years old |
| Masters 5 | 51 years old and under 56 years old |
| Masters 6 | 56 years old and under 61 years old |
| Masters 7 | 61 years old and older |
IBJJF Youth Age Divisions
| IBJJF Youth Age Division | Athlete’s Age |
|---|---|
| Mighty Mite I | 4 years old |
| Mighty Mite II | 5 years old |
| Mighty Mite III | 6 years old |
| Pee Wee I | 7 years old |
| Pee Wee II | 8 years old |
| Pee Wee III | 9 years old |
| Junior I | 10 years old |
| Junior II | 11 years old |
| Junior III | 12 years old |
| Teen I | 13 years old |
| Teen II | 14 years old |
| Teen III | 15 years old |
| Juvenile I | 16 years old |
| Juvenile II | 17 years old |
Rank Divisions in IBJJF
In addition to age and weight classifications, the IBJJF classifies competitors based on rank.
Athletes aged 16 and up (Juvenile 1 and up) compete in various ranks, including white, blue, purple, brown, and black.
Athletes aged 04 to 15 (Mighty-Mite 1 to Teen 3) may also be classified based on their rank, including white, grey, yellow, orange, and green, depending on the IBJJF tournament rules.
Are Adults and Masters IBJJF Divisions the Same?
Adults and masters are classified in the same IBJJF weight classes for men and women. Yet, the only difference between the two divisions is the age limit.
Adult weight classes are open to participants aged 18 to under 30. The master weight classes, on the other hand, are for participants aged 30 to 61.
Conclusion
The IBJJF is a well-known organization that sponsors several worldwide Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions. The IBJJF competitors are classified into several divisions based on age, weight, and rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Weigh-Ins Work for IBJJF Gi Tournaments?
When registering for the tournament, all competitors must weigh in wearing Gi kimonos appropriate for their weight classes.
Indeed, the weighing can only be done once, and the athlete will be disqualified from the competition immediately if they fail to make weight or miss the weigh-in period.
Make sure you register for the correct tournament weight class since you cannot change it once the lists for each bracket have closed. Indeed, check the tournament’s official brochure to learn the weigh-in date and location.
How Do Weigh-Ins Work for IBJJF No-Gi Tournaments?
All participants must undergo a weigh-in while wearing the No-Gi uniform corresponding to their weight class selected at registration for the IBJJF No-Gi Tournament.
BJJ competitors who fail to check their weight or appear at the designated weigh-in time will be instantly disqualified from the Tournament.
Consider that once the lists for each bracket have closed, you cannot switch to a different weight class, so please choose carefully. Otherwise, you must check the Tournament booklet to know when and where to weigh in.
How Many IBJJF Master Divisions Are There?
IBJJF masters are athletes aged 30 and over. You may find the primary IBJJF master divisions listed below.
- Masters 1: 30 years old and under 36 years old.
- Masters 2: 36 years old and under 41 years old.
- Masters 3: 41 years old and under 46 years old.
- Masters 4: 46 years old and under 51 years old.
- Masters 5: 51 years old and under 56 years old.
- Masters 6: 56 years old and under 61 years old.
- Masters 7: 61 years old and older.
Every time a competitor meets the age requirement, he can compete in a primary division no matter their belt rank division (white belt, blue and purple belts, or brown and black belts).
