Judo, a martial art with roots in traditional Japanese jujitsu, has evolved into a refined sport emphasizing physical and mental discipline. Founded in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, judo was designed to be less brutal than traditional jujitsu. Today, it prioritizes physical strength, self-confidence, and mutual respect, while also highlighting politeness, honor, humility, and friendship.
Key Techniques and Categories
Judo encompasses various techniques and categories:
Techniques:
Te Waza (Arm Techniques): Includes techniques like ippon seoi nage, a shoulder throw.
Ashi Waza (Leg Techniques): Encompasses moves like o soto gari, a major outer reap.
Koshi Waza (Hip Techniques): Features techniques such as tai otoshi, a body drop throw.
Sutemi Waza (Sacrifice Techniques): Involves throws where the judoka sacrifices their own balance to throw the opponent.
Katame Waza (Grappling Techniques):
Osae Waza: Techniques for pinning the opponent to the ground.
Shime Waza: Choking techniques.
Kansetsu Waza: Joint-lock techniques.
Competition Weight Categories
Judo competitions are divided into weight categories for fair play:
Men’s Categories: Under 60 kg, under 66 kg, under 73 kg, under 81 kg, under 90 kg, under 100 kg, and over 100 kg.
Women’s Categories: Under 48 kg, under 52 kg, under 57 kg, under 63 kg, under 70 kg, under 78 kg, and over 78 kg.
Scoring in Judo
Understanding scoring is crucial:
Ippon: The highest score, awarded when an opponent is thrown onto their back with force, ending the match.
Waza-ari: Worth seven points; awarded for throws not fully achieving ippon or for pinning an opponent for 10 to 20 seconds.
Yuko and Koka: Lesser points, with yuko being more valuable than koka.
Penalties: Result in point deductions or penalties for the opponent.
Judo in the Olympics
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 in Tokyo. After a brief absence in Mexico, it was reinstated in 1972 and has remained a staple ever since. Women’s judo was introduced as a demonstration sport in Seoul 1988 and became an official event in Barcelona 1992. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics featured mixed-gender judo events, showcasing the sport’s evolving nature.
