Judo sport martial arts, with an efficient and explosive power of judo throw, pins, strangulation/chokes, joint-lock and hold-down.

Judo sport martial arts founded by Kano Jigoro, derives from the older techniques of attack and defense called Jiu-jitsu. He researched and refined the various forms of Jiu-jitsu which he turned an old martial art into a modern judo sport martial arts.

Judo “the gentle, soft way” is an all-round strength and fitness builder which include running, weight-training routines plus several hours of daily practices. In 1964, these sport martial arts was included in the Olympic Games for the first time and is now recognized as a full-fledged sport.

The essence of judo is in its throw, pins, strangulation/chokes, joint-lock and hold-down, that make it an excellent martial art for self-defense and attack. Contrary to Jiu-jitsu which placed much emphasis of disabling an opponent, Kano Sensei emphasis on stress or pains on opponent or partner wrist, elbow or shoulder as the most effective means of diffusing an attack.

In a Judo martial art school or in sport martial arts, a judo-ka would wear a heavy canvas uniform called Judo-gi which also includes a belt indicating your level of expertise or rank; from white for beginners to black for more experienced ones.

The basic skill of a judo-ka relies on the ability to read your opponent body movement and your response would be combining your strength with that’s of your opponent when he or she pull back or vice versa. This way, you can easily subdue a bigger opponent.

When first steps onto the tatami (a rice straw mat) and before he can start learning to throw somebody, there are three simple things he must learn first.

1. How to fall safely by practicing break falls called “ukemi”

2. How to hold his partner

3. How to move around and gradually, he will progress to more advance techniques – Standing Phase which he will learnt the judo throw.

Throwing drills will be repeated until it become reflexive. There are forty basic throws and can be divided into leg throws, hip-throws, hand-throws and sacrifice throws. Try to get in as much throwing practice as possible with a non-resisting partner. You will discover one or two throws that will suit your physique and these are the ones to specialize in.

The next level of the learning curve is the groundwork – to develop the capability to pin or hold-down opponent. Arms and neck restraints are defensive tactics used to limits an aggressor’s attacks.

Grades in judo sport martial arts are awarded for ability and progress through various colored or kyu belts and then through Dan grades. They are:

• First to Fifth Dan: plain black belt.

• Sixth, Seven or Eighth Dan: alternating red and black squares.

• Ninth and Tenth Dan: red belt.

In top judo sport martial arts competition are usually from Fourth Dan and they acquire higher grades, as they grow older through knowledge and service to the sport.

The amount of progress you will make depends upon the amount of effort you put into your judo sport martial arts. It is possible for a young man to get his black belt within a year provided he starts under the right instructor and even after many years on Judo; you’ll still learn something new about this intricate sport every time you go on the mat.

Page topic – judo