Matched by age, weight and experience.
Fair brackets are the product, not a bonus. Here is how NEXTWAVE structures every division across Gi and No-Gi.
Every format we run.
01
Gi
Traditional kimono competition.
Standard gi requirements, belt-based experience divisions and gi-legal technique sets.
02
No-Gi
Rash guard and shorts.
Experience-based divisions with no-gi grip and technique rules published before event day.
03
Kids
Ages 4-12.
Age, weight and experience matched brackets with kids-specific safety rules and coaching support.
04
Teens
Ages 13-17.
Competitive teen brackets built to keep athletes matched by size and experience, not just age.
05
Adults
Ages 18-29.
Full belt and weight structure in gi and no-gi, with absolute divisions where entries allow.
06
Masters
Ages 30+.
Masters age brackets so experienced competitors are matched against their own age group.
Experience divisions.
Experience keeps first-timers away from seasoned competitors. Gi runs on belt rank, No-Gi runs on competition experience, and kids run on the kids belt system.
Gi
- White
- Blue
- Purple
- Brown
- Black
No-Gi
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Kids
- White
- Grey
- Yellow
- Orange
- Green
Weight class charts.
Weight class numbers are finalized with the official rulebook and publish before registration opens. The structure below is the shape of every bracket.
Adult Male — Gi
Weights shown with the gi. Final numbers publish with the official rulebook.
| Division | Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster | TBD |
| Light Feather | TBD |
| Feather | TBD |
| Light | TBD |
| Middle | TBD |
| Medium Heavy | TBD |
| Heavy | TBD |
| Super Heavy | TBD |
| Ultra Heavy | TBD |
Adult Female — Gi
Weights shown with the gi. Final numbers publish with the official rulebook.
| Division | Limit |
|---|---|
| Rooster | TBD |
| Light Feather | TBD |
| Feather | TBD |
| Light | TBD |
| Middle | TBD |
| Medium Heavy | TBD |
| Heavy | TBD |
No-Gi — All Ages
No-Gi weights are set without the kimono allowance.
| Division | Limit |
|---|---|
| Light divisions | TBD |
| Middle divisions | TBD |
| Heavy divisions | TBD |
| Absolute | Open weight |
Kids & Teens
Kids and teens are matched by age, then weight, then experience.
| Age group | Weight structure |
|---|---|
| 4-6 | Matched brackets |
| 7-9 | Matched brackets |
| 10-12 | Matched brackets |
| 13-15 | Weight classes TBD |
| 16-17 | Weight classes TBD |
How brackets are built
Age first, then weight, then experience. If a division is too small to run on its own, we merge it into the closest fair bracket rather than cancelling it — and we tell you before event day.