What is judo?
Judo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on throws and grappling techniques to subdue opponents, emphasizing physical fitness, mental discipline, and sportsmanship.
Who, where, and when invented judo?
Jigoro Kano invented judo in Japan in 1882 as a safe and effective form of physical education and self-defense based on the principles of maximum efficiency and mutual benefit.
What are the rules of judo?
Scoring in judo is achieved through throws, holds, and submissions. The goal is to throw the opponent forcefully or hold them down for a specified time. Competitions are divided into weight categories to ensure opponents are matched in size and strength.
How long does a judo match last?
Men’s judo matches last four minutes in the qualifying rounds and five minutes in the semifinals and finals. In the women’s category, matches last four minutes in all rounds. However, if a match ends in a tie, it can be extended for an additional golden score period, where the first competitor to score a point or receive a penalty loses the match.
Where is judo most popular?
Judo is especially popular in Japan, where it originated, and in several European countries such as France, Russia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Judo is also a popular sport in South Korea, Brazil, and Cuba, and is gaining more followers in many other countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Judo and the Olympic Games
Judo first participated in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It was not included in the 1968 Olympic program in Mexico City but returned in 1972 in Munich and has remained since. Women’s judo was added to the Games in 1992 in Barcelona. Currently, men and women compete in seven weight categories. Initially, there was an open weight category for men, but this event was removed after the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Japan is the most successful country in the Olympic Games, with a total of 96 medals (48 of them gold). France and South Korea follow, with 57 and 46 medals, respectively. Russia, Georgia, Italy, and Brazil are other nations with successful Olympic records.
Top judokas to watch
French judokas will be especially eager to win at home after bringing home eight medals, including gold in the new mixed team event, at Tokyo 2020. Teddy Riner will seek his third individual gold medal in the +100kg category, while Clarisse Agbegnenou will try to defend her title after giving birth to her first child. Amandine Buchard and Romane Dicko are also among the favorites. The Japanese team, as usual, will be very strong. Abe Hifumi and his sister Uta, who became Olympic champions on the same day in Tokyo 2020, will try to continue making history after becoming the first siblings to do so. Jessica Klimkait from Canada and Matthias Casse from Belgium will go to Paris 2024 aiming to bring home a medal of a different color than the bronzes they won in Tokyo 2020.
