Judo

In 1882 the late Dr. Jigoro Kano opened the first school of judo in Japan. Dr. Kano's purpose in developing judo as a sport was to make available the physical and mental training of jujitsu without the techniques that could cause injury. Stripped of the deadly locks and throws of jujitsu, the new sport of judo became safe even for women and children. Competitive judo, which demands the highest skill and stamina, is only one part of this sport. To those who know it well, it is an exciting study. To active men and women, judo is an enjoyable way to keep fit. Boys are enthusiastic students of judo and enter junior competition at an early age.

Women and girls compete separately. They have also developed great skill in kata, the series of technical movements, and in randori, a type of free exercise. What Judo Is Unlike karate, which uses both foot and hand blows, judo basically depends upon the use of leverage and balance to overcome an opponent. A person under attack does not block or punch. He may resist for a moment and then let go suddenly. This forces his opponent off balance and makes it easy to throw him. The attacker's own lunging weight provides the force the opponent needs to control him. It is just as though someone were to push as hard as he could against a locked door, and you suddenly opened it. The person would probably fall through and land on the floor. This is one way that a judo player gains control over his opponent. As the attacker rushes in, the judo player either sidesteps or backs away. This catches the attacker off balance, and he may be pushed, pulled, or thrown to the ground.

Judo is a sport for two players. The sport is governed by strict rules of politeness. Before and after a match the players must bow to each other. A match is won on points or superior play. A player wins a point when he holds his opponent on his back so that he is unable to move for 30 seconds; when he forces his opponent to give up by using strangleholds or armlocks; and when he makes a clean throw. A player wins a half point when he holds his opponent down for only 25 seconds. Kicking, hitting, and gouging are not allowed. A referee watches the players and decides who wins each point. A player who wins the necessary amount of points first wins the match. A contest or match may last up to 20 minutes. Judo requires much physical training and instruction. Training takes place in a dojo, or gym area. In the Orient players practice on straw mats.

In Western countries a canvas wrestling mat can be used. The players wear cotton jackets and trousers circled by colored belts. A beginner wears a white belt and a more accomplished player a brown belt. Experts wear the coveted black belt. Kata Most of the training a player is given is in kata. These are sets of exercises in which each move is arranged in much the same way that a ballet dancer's routine is planned. The entire series of moves must be done with grace and dignity.

The Nage-No Kata, or throwing technique, is the kata most often shown or demonstrated. The Nage-No Kata is divided into five groups. Each group is named for the part of the body that is being used. There are three throws in each group. The five groups are: Hand techniques Hip techniques Foot techniques Back techniques Side techniques The Nage-No Kata must be mastered for promotion to First Degree Black Belt. In addition to learning the kata, a judoka, or player, is taught a number of systems of throwing, pinning, locking joints, and so on. The Kodokan in Tokyo establishes the most important rules for judo throughout the world.