JUDO4CO – Innovative Erasmus+ Program for Children with Obesity

Tycho van der Werff

My name is Tycho van der Werff, and I have dedicated 36 years to Special Needs Judo. I served as National Head Coach for more than a decade and pioneered adapted kata competitions. I co‑developed the internationally used Functional Classification system and played a key role in integrating judo into the Special Olympics in 1996. I have contributed to competition rules, referee certification, and the training of Special Needs Judo teachers through the Judo in Care program.
As a European and World Champion in Katame no Kata (2022), I hold a 5th Dan in judo and have co‑authored several judo training guides. I am, of course, a fully certified judo trainer at the highest level. Within the JUDO4CO program, I am the primary person responsible for the training program, serving as head coach