What is judo?
Judo is a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport focused on throws, pins and holds. Its name means the gentle way, because it uses an opponent's strength and balance against them.
Judo was founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, who developed it from older jujutsu styles. He removed dangerous techniques to make it safe for practice and competition and emphasized physical education and moral development. Practitioners are called judoka and train in a hall called a dojo, wearing a white or blue uniform called a judogi.
In competition, judoka score points by throwing an opponent onto their back, pinning them to the mat or forcing them to submit with a joint lock or choke. A perfect throw scores ippon and ends the match immediately. Matches for adults usually last four minutes.
An Olympic sport
Judo became an Olympic sport for men at the 1964 Tokyo Games and for women in 1992. Japan and France are among the most successful judo nations. Teddy Riner of France has won five Olympic gold medals, including team events, and is one of the sport's greatest champions.
Did You Know?
Colored belts in martial arts are often traced to judo. Jigoro Kano introduced the black belt to mark advanced students in the 1880s.