Judo is a martial art and sport designed by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882 from various styles of Jui Jitsu.
Best known for it's spectacular throwing techniques it also has the added elements of grappling and submissions. Judo means gentle or yielding way. Judo was added to the Olympics in 1964.
The two main axioms of judo are mutual welfare and benefit and maximum efficiency/minimum effort.
There are approximately 100 Judo Clubs in Ontario with about 3000 members.
To be an Olympic sport, the sport must be practiced by more than 80 countries in the world.
There are over 180 countries in the IJF (International Judo Federation)
JUDO MATCHES
To win a judo match, you require one point. You may obtain that point by any one of four methods. You can throw your opponent largely on his back with control for one point, OR pin him down on his back for 20 seconds OR choke him until they submit OR lock the elbow joint until they submit. Chokes are allowed in the under 16 age group and arm locks in the under 18 age group. Juniors are not allowed submission techniques.
BELT RANKS
Judo students are graded by skill level indicated by belt ranks. These belt ranks are recognized internationally. Students start out as a white belt and progress through darker colored belts - yellow, orange, green, blue, brown belts and finally black belt. There are 10 levels of black belt and all black belts in Ontario are graded by a provincial grading board (Judo Ontario) and recognized by Judo Canada and the Kodokan in Japan.
INFORMATION
Judo tournament matches are called Shiai .
Judo is famous for it's free style fight training called Randori.
Judo develops discipline, confidence, respect, balance and self control.
Practitioners gain strength, endurance and flexibility.
Judo is an Olympic sport as well as a means of Self Defense.
Because Judo is an individual sport rather than a team sport, you never get stuck on the "bench" - everyone gets to play.
In a tournament you are guaranteed at least 2 matches.