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Judo

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Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and a popular combat sport.

Judo
Judo

It is much more than just a way to fight. Practitioners view it as a path to improve both the mind and the body.

Portrait of late Mr. Kano
Portrait of late Mr. Kano

People around the world practice it in many ways. It has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1964. It is also part of the Paralympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Judo pictogram
Judo pictogram

This sport brings people together through skill and discipline.

In a match, players use specific techniques called waza.

Judo throw
Judo throw

One type is nage-waza, which are throwing techniques. The goal is to throw an opponent forcefully onto their back. This happens in three steps: breaking the balance, turning in, and finishing the throw.

Haraigoshi
Haraigoshi

Another type is katame-waza, or grappling techniques. This includes pinning an opponent to the floor. It also includes chokes or joint locks, like an armbar, to make an opponent submit.

Juji
Juji

Players wear a heavy uniform called a judogi to stay safe.

Jigoro Kano created judo in 1882.

Eishoji
Eishoji

He was a Japanese educator and a very smart man. As a boy, he dealt with bullying at school. This led him to look for a way to learn self-defense. He studied older styles of fighting called jujutsu. He learned from teachers like Fukuda Hachinosuke and Iso Masatomo.

Hiki-otoshi
Hiki-otoshi

Eventually, Kano founded his own school called the Kodokan. It started in a Buddhist temple in Tokyo. He wanted to turn fighting into a way to better society.

Kano built judo on two very important ideas. The first is seiryoku zen'yō, which means using your energy in the most effective way.

Judo orange belt (Brusselsshrek)
Judo orange belt (Brusselsshrek)

The second is jita kyōei, which means mutual welfare and benefit. This means practitioners should help each other grow. He even used the idea of a waterwheel to explain how to use energy.

Judo children
Judo children

In practice, students use randori, which is free sparring. They also use kata, which are pre-arranged patterns of moves. This helps them learn without getting hurt during practice.

Judo has changed many other things in the world.

Judo newaza
Judo newaza

It helped create new martial arts like Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga. It also influenced styles like mixed martial arts, or MMA. Many people today learn judo to stay fit or to learn self-defense.

2010 World Judo Championships - Thierry Fabre Vs Takamasa Anai 2
2010 World Judo Championships - Thierry Fabre Vs Takamasa Anai 2

Whether in a big tournament or a small school, the focus remains on discipline. It is a sport that connects ancient traditions to the modern world. Even children in Tokyo practice these moves today.

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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
File:Portrait of late Mr. Kano.jpg
Portrait of late Mr. Kano.jpg
File:Eishoji.JPG
Eishoji.JPG
File:Judo.svg
Judo.svg
File:Haraigoshi.jpg
Haraigoshi.jpg
File:Juji.jpg
Juji.jpg
Judo-Tokyo-2016-10-1.webm
File:Hiki-otoshi.jpg
Hiki-otoshi.jpg
File:2010 World Judo Championships - Thierry Fabre Vs Takamasa Anai 2.JPG
2010 World Judo Championships - Thierry...
File:Yoshimatsu vs. Daigo in 1951.jpg
Yoshimatsu vs. Daigo in 1951.jpg
KITLV_A367_-_Japanse_sporten_in_Japan,_ver...
File:Judo pictogram.svg
Judo pictogram.svg
File:石井と鈴木.jpg
石井と鈴木.jpg

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