judo

Judo Judo (柔道 jūdō, meaning "gentle way") is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a strangle hold or choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defenses are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori).

History Of judo

The origin of Japan's martial arts is vague, and what we know of it, is more legend than truth. However, the takenouchi-ryu martial art system founded in 1532 is considered the beginning of Japan's jujitsu forms. The system's founder taught jujitsu in a structured and methodical manner. For the next several hundred years, the martial arts were refined by Samurai who made a lifetime study of some twenty or thirty martial arts. Of these arts only one was based on weaponless self defense -- jujitsu. By the mid-1800's more than 700 different jujitsu systems existed. The most popular were takenouchi-ryu, jikishin-ryu, kyushinryu, yoshin-ryu, mirua-ryu, sekiguchi-ryu, kito-ryu, and tenshin-shinyo-ryu; the last two were instrumental in Judo's development. It was during this time that Japanese politics disintegrated into disarray. Commodore Perry's visit to Japan in the mid-1850's also changed Japanese civilization by opening up a new world to them. In 1868 Imperial rule was restored (Meiji Restoration) and the decline of the Samurai class started along with a rapid decline in all martial arts. Although the government did not officially ban the martial arts, people were not encouraged to learn or practice them since the state was considered more important than the individual. Jujitsu literally fell into disuse. What was once the glory of the samurai was now looked down on and many well established jujitsu schools began to disappear. If the budo concept was to survive the Meiji Restoration, it had to change and become a tool to cultivate an individual and make him a better person for the good of all. As a result budo found a home in physical education and sport. Sport provided teamwork which was good for all and also developed the individual. It was a complete physical education; not just a game. Although self defense techniques were included in the training, emphasis was on using the techniques in a holistic manner. Dr. Jigoro Kano is credited with jujitsu's survival of the Meiji Restoration. He took jujitsu and adapted it to the times. His new methodology was called Judo. In 1882, Dr. Jigoro Kano (The Father of Judo) made a comprehensive study of these ancient self defense forms and integrated the best of these forms into a sport which is known as Kodokan Judo. Top

Judo Tournament Rules

1. Each contestant shall wear coat and belt. 2. A contestant shall be deemed to have been defeated when his two shoulders and hips shall have touched the floor, provided that said contestant shall have reached this position on the floor through having been thrown down. 3. A contestant shall be deemed to have been defeated when in such position on the floor, if said combatant cannot free himself from his opponent's arms within two seconds' time. 4. A contestant shall be deemed to have been defeated when from any cause or causes he may become unconscious. But it is not permitted to use serious tricks when the wrestling bout is between friends. Such tricks as kicking and the breaking of arms, legs, and neck are barred. 5. A combatant shall be deemed to have been defeated when he has been reduced to submission through the employment by his opponent of any hold or trick. 6. When a defeated combatant finds himself obliged to acknowledge his submission, he must pat or hit the floor or his antagonist's body, or somewhere, with his hand or foot. This patting with foot or hand is to be regarded as a token of surrender. 7. When a defeated combatant pats or hits the floor, or anywhere, in token of submission, the victor must at once let go his hold. 8. It is understood and agreed that the Jiu-Jitsu man, whether he fights a boxer or contests with a wrestler, shall be allowed to use in his defense any of the tricks that belong to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. 9. It is further understood and agreed that the Jiu-Jitsu man assumes no responsibility for any injury or injuries caused by any act or thing done during the contest, and that the Jiu-Jitsu man shall be held free and blameless for any such ill effect or injury that may be received during the contest. 10. Two competent witnesses representing each side, or four in all, shall see to it that these articles of agreement are properly drawn, signed, and witnessed, to the end that neither contestant or other participant in the match shall have cause for action on any ground or grounds resulting from any injury or injuries, or death, caused during the contest. "In those days contests were extremely rough and frequently cost the participants their lives. Thus, whenever I sallied forth to take part in any of those affairs, I invariably bade farewell to my parents, since I had no assurance that I should ever return alive." ... Sakujiro Yokoyama quoted in "The Fighting Spirit of Japan" by E.J. Harrison Top

Important Records

Most world titles Men

Naoya Ogawa (Japan) /3 in the Open category, 1 at +95 kg/ Shozo Fuji (Japan) /3 at -80 kg, 1 at -78 kg/ Yasuhiro Yamashita (Japan): /3 at +95, 1 in the Open category/ David Douillet: (France) /3 at +95 kg, 1 in the Open category/

Most world titles Women

Ryoko Tamura: (Japan) 7 titles (all at -48 kg) Ingrid Berghmans: (Belgium) 6 titles (4 in the Open category, 2 at +72 kg) Kyu Sun-Hui: (South Korea) 4 titles (1 at-52 kg, 3 at -57 kg) Fenglian Gao: (China) 4 titles (3 at +72 kg, 1 in the Open category) Karen Briggs: (United Kingdom) 4 titles (all at -48 kg) Noriko Anno: (Japan) 4 titles (1 at-72 kg, 3 at +78 kg) Top

Best Judo Countries (in winning medals and tournaments)

1. Japan
2. France
3. Korea
4.Russia
5.Georgia
6. Brazil
7. Mongolia
8. Cuba
9. China
10. Germany
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International Judo Events

• Olympic Games
• World Championship
• World Master
• Grand Slam
• Grand Prix
• African Championship
• Asian Championship
• European Championship
• OJU Championship
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Great Judo Legends