Judo, a Japanese martial discipline meaning “way of flexibility”, was developed by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882. Kano stripped down the perilous aspects of jujitsu to emphasize ground throws, immobilizations, and chokes. This physically and mentally demanding sport quickly spread to Europe, particularly in France, becoming the first martial art to be exported outside Japan.
On the tatami, competitors engage in confrontations to throw, immobilize or force their opponent to retire using various techniques. Judo competitions are held by weight classes, with four-minute bouts that can be extended in the event of a tie. Strongly imbued with moral values, judo punishes behaviors contrary to its ethics, promoting activity and fair play. Since its inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, judo has become an iconic sport, dominated by Japan, followed closely by nations like France and South Korea. Its global influence is such that in 2021, 128 countries participated in the Olympic judo competitions in Tokyo.
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