Judo originated in Japan, and is a form of unarmed fighting mainly using throws, arm locks, strangles and holds. Judo is translated as “The Gentle Way”
Jigoro Kano, was born in 1860, and is the founder of Judo as we know it today.
Kano developed Judo from Ju-Jitsu, removing all the brutal parts to leave an art form, that could be practised with control and safety.
In 1886 the Japanese Government arranged a special match between the top 15 Ju-Jitsu fighters and the top 15 Judo fighters, which resulted in a win for Kano’s Judo, and was therefore accepted as the Governments approved Sport.
It was later taught in schools and colleges as part of the Education system in Japan.
“Judo,” which translates to “the gentle way”. This name reflects the idea that Judo is a way to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal effort.
Kano began teaching Judo at the Eishoji Temple in Tokyo, and quickly gained students from across Japan. Judo quickly became more popular than Jujutsu, and eventually displaced it in Japan and other parts of the world.
Judo in the U.K.
Judo is a Licenced Sport, and is managed on behalf of The International Judo Federation, by The British Judo Association, who are the Overall Sports Governing Body for England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. There are a number of clubs around the UK covering Junior & Seniors as well as Schools Judo. Some clubs are specifically for Additional Needs and some for the top class athletes who all started their Judo in one of the many clubs.
