What is Judo?
Judo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on throws and grappling techniques to subdue opponents, with an emphasis on physical fitness, mental discipline, and sportsmanship.
By whom, where and when was Judo invented?
Judo was invented by Jigoro Kano in Japan in 1882 as a safe and effective form of physical education and self-defence based on the principles of maximum efficiency and mutual benefit.
What are the rules of Judo?
In judo points are awarded for throws, holds, and submissions. The aim is to throw the opponent to the ground with force or hold them down for a certain amount of time.
In each weight category, athletes are seeded to a single-elimination bracket. It is a classic knock-out format until the final, with one small twist: athletes defeated in the quarter-finals remain in the competition, with a repechage draw resulting in two bronze medals being awarded in each weight category.
Competitions are divided into weight categories, with the aim of ensuring that opponents are matched in size and strength.
How long is a Judo match?
Judo matches last for four minutes. However, if a match ends in a tie, it can be extended for an additional period of Golden Score, where the first contestant to score a point or receive a penalty loses the match.
Where is Judo most popular?
Judo is particularly 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 the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and Cuba, and has a growing following in many other countries, including the United States and Canada.
Judo and the Olympics
Judo made its very first appearance at the Olympic Games in 1964 in Tokyo. However, it was not included in the Olympic programme in 1968 in Mexico City, but returned, never to leave again, at the 1972 Games in Munich. As for women’s judo, it was added to the Games in 1992 in Barcelona.
The mixed team event was added in Tokyo 2020.
Men and women now compete in seven weight categories. There was originally a men’s category open to all weights, but this event was withdrawn after the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
Japan is the most successful nation at the Olympics with a total of 96 medals (including 48 golds). France and South Korea are next in line, with 57 and 46 medals, respectively. Other nations with a successful Olympic history include Russia, Georgia, Italy and Brazil.
Best judoka to watch
French judokas will be particularly eager to win on home soil after bringing home eight medals, including gold in the new mixed team event, at Tokyo 2020.
Teddy Riner will be looking for a third individual gold medal in the +100kg category, while Clarisse Agbegnenou will attempt to retain her title after giving birth to her first child. Amandine Buchard and Romane Dicko will also be among the favourites.
As usual, the Japanese team will be very strong, with Abe Hifumi and his sister Uta, who became Olympic champions on the same day at Tokyo 2020.
Judo competition rules at Paris 2024
186 men and 186 women competed in judo at Paris 2024 across seven weight classes for each gender. The total of 372 judokas was slightly less than the 386 who competed at Tokyo 2020.
A total of 15 events took place between 27 July and 3 August. From 27 July to 2 August, the competition for one women’s weight category and one men’s weight category took place each day, before the mixed team event on 3 August.
