The IJF World Tour heads to Abu Dhabi next week in an event that marks Lisa Rivers’ one-year anniversary of officiating at the highest level in judo.

Rivers’ representation at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam was the first time a British Judo referee had officiated on the IJF World Tour since 2012.

Rivers realised her lifetime goal when she gained her international refereeing licence and became an IJF referee at the Santo Domingo Pan American Open in the Dominican Republic in 2019, an event that was her final examination.

Her journey into refereeing started when she attended a refereeing course aged 10 at Chicester Judo Club and, despite not particularly wanting to be a referee, after attending her first mini-mon competition, which she loved, she hasn’t looked back.

We caught up with Lisa to reflect on her first-year refereeing on the highest level in world judo.

How has the last year been for you, officiating on the IJF World Tour?

“This past year has been quite a journey for me. As a referee, I have been given opportunities that I only ever dreamed of as a young referee. I have had the opportunity to be matside at the World’s best events and have refereed alongside other referees at the top of their career. 

Over this past year, I have attended eight IJF World Tour events and before each event, we have an on mat seminar. This allows us to learn and develop our understanding and interpretation of the rules and ensures that all the referees can interpret situations in the same way. This has really helped me progress and improve as a referee this year and has helped my understanding of world level judo. 

It has also been a huge test of endurance with so many demands on my time. I have had to prioritise and learn how to handle pressure on a whole new level.”

How did you get to officiate on the IJF World Tour?

“I was contacted by Head Refereeing Director Mr Florin Daniel Lascau just before the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and he asked if I would go to the Islamic Games in Konya, Turkey. From here I was invited to my first Grand Slam and onwards. Over the past 7 years, I have worked hard in Europe to climb the European ranking list and this was the natural progression and I’m fortunate that they agreed I deserved a chance on the World stage.”

What has been your highlight over the past 12 months?

“There have been lots of highlights for me over this past 12 months as there have been lots of ‘firsts’. 

My first Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi last year was amazing and I had my first Final Block contest there, which was an incredible feeling, as I felt that I was able to hold my own with my other refereeing colleagues. 

Refereeing at the Paris Grand Slam was an experience I will never forget, especially as originally, I had tickets to go and watch with my husband and friends so they were sitting just behind the mat I was on. Here I experienced the true passion of Judo when a round two contest between current u90kg Olympic Champion Bekauri (GEO) and Ngayap Hambou (FRA) went the distance, and with a wave of cheering, the Frenchman was the unlikely winner, which was met with a noise I will never forget. 

Finally, my first World Cadet Championships which I was incredibly proud to be invited to and referee at. This was combined with the Zagreb Grand Prix, so meant eight days of refereeing back to back, which was a test of endurance that I have never experienced before.”

What does the future hold?

“Long term I am hoping to keep progressing and to be considered for a Junior or Senior World Championships and of course one day hopefully represent GB at an Olympic Games. I am fortunate to have the support of my family and the BJA to keep moving forward and hopefully, I will achieve this goal.”

Do you want to start your refereeing journey? Find out more here

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