What to expect from competitions?

[u/Micky7Tube_]

I hope the flair's correct, this being said... Greetings! Up to now I haven't competed due to two main reasons:

1)I'm 21 and I've picked up judo just a few years ago, there were/are almost no competitions for my level as most people my age have compete have already gained their first dan or are about to do so. 2) This is the main one, I'm a trans guy and have been on hormones for several years, however on my documents still state that I'm a female making me fall into the female's category. If I part-took in any match I'd result positive to doping (which would disqualify me from following the jury judge course I'm taking rn) and first and foremost it would be extremely unrespectful for any opponent as they'd go against someone doped compared to them.

In November I should get my documents rectified to the correct gender, making me eligible to go in matches against males from December to go on (also I got my blue belt recently opening up a new branch of matches I can sign up to). Hence I wanted to ask how's the competitions sector? What to expect?

Infos in case they're needed: I'm from Italy, I weight 60kg and I'm 153cm tall.

Edit: added info.

[u/313078]

Depends which country you are. Since you didn't mention I guess US. Competitions are often low level for adults and some have belt divisions so you should be able to compete. Even if they don't split by belt, give a try, but make sure with your coach you have the level: as trans you will have a muscular tonicity and speed disadvantage so make sure with them if they think it's fine in terms of injury risks.

You will be in the -60kg weight (make sure you are, you don't want to be under 66 in your case). What's good about competition is the adrenaline rush before the matchs and the general atmosphere. Go for it!

[u/Micky7Tube_ → u/313078]

Actually I'm from Italy, I'll add it to the post asap. I always check in with my Sensei(s) as my Dojo part-takes in various public demonstrations and mixed trainings with other gyms, over 15+ occasions they made me pass up on 3.

The -66kg category doesn't sound bad as I usually train with Uke from 62 to 80 kgs (when I started judo i was 73kgs), only recently I got to this weight so there's a high probability I'll gain some kgs back.

I'm aware of the disadvantages I have, I always try to compensate by training more and harder, sometimes it shows, sometimes it gets frustrating but that's what it is

Thank you !

[u/313078 → u/Micky7Tube_]

Ha ok, in Italy then it's a bit harder to find competitions that are low level for adults, but there are. The ''amical'' ones. It's more an issue for women, in men there are usually quite a few competitors who started at adult age. In woman it's often hard to find enough to have a competition. If you feel fine with under 66kg then go for it, it won't be advisable to lose weight for you. I was thinking also at your size, but one of my best students (man) was about 1.50m and in the 50-ish kg, he was making life hard to all the big dudes.

As you said, you can compensate! Jigoro Kano was a small skinny person, thus why using oponent strength. If you have a good timing for throwing techniques you can do it. Your advantages will be being more soft than other men and that you won't rely on force, rather on good techniques. I'm a woman, always trained with men and competed with men till 12yo (pre puberty), I compensate by being more soft and hard to throw compared to men who are more ''rigid'', also by ''playing smart'' (i know they have more muscles so no need to use my strength rather my technique). Maybe you kept some of that softness post transition.