Judo, which translates to “the gentle way,” is a modern martial art created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano in Japan. It is not only a sport but also a philosophy and pedagogy that emphasizes physical, mental, and moral development. Judo focuses on using an opponent’s energy against them, making it a unique and strategic form of combat.
Objective of the Sport
In Judo, the main objective is to throw or take down an opponent to the ground, immobilize them with a pin, or force them to submit using joint locks or chokes. While strikes and thrusts are part of Judo, they are only practiced in pre-arranged forms known as kata and are not permitted in competitive or free practice settings.
