Judo is a martial art, a self-defense, a combat sport, a science, a discipline, a social and recreational activity, a fitness program and for some “a way of life.”

All age groups of both sexes practice judo. Judo is an inexpensive, year-round activity, which appeals to people from all walks of life.

Judo is an Olympic Sport, the second most popular in the world by number of countries participating. Kodokan Judo has been included as an Olympic sport since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Women's Judo was made an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Judo is also included in the Para-Olympics.

Judo's founder Professor Jigoro Kano established Judo in 1882 in Japan. Dr. Kano modified the more dangerous techniques of ju-jitsu and developed Judo, who's meaning is “the gentle way”. He emphasized the physical and moral aspects of Judo and developed Judo from its martial arts origins to an international sport.

The sport of Judo is combative. The competitors engage in applying offensive and defensive maneuvers and physical strength to overcome each other. The objective is to gain control of an opponent by applying the principles of action-reaction and breaking-balance using throws and holds based on ju-jitsu. The principal of “minimum effort and maximum efficiency” is stressed in engaging your opponent in to defeat him.

At higher levels of competition submission techniques such as chokes and arm bars are used.

Judo stresses an attitude of respectfulness in progressing toward an understanding of “mutual welfare and benefit” for all of its practitioners.

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