Judos

Judos is not a standard term in judo literature; "judos" may be used informally to refer to people who practice judo, but the conventional terms are "judoka" (singular) and "judokas" (plural). Judo itself is a modern Japanese martial art and Olympic sport developed in the late 19th century.

Judo originated in Japan from ju-jutsu and was developed by Jigoro Kano, who founded the Kodokan in 1882. Kano framed judo as a discipline for personal development and safe competition, emphasizing efficiency of movement, balance, and mutual welfare. The art spread internationally in the 20th century and became an Olympic sport in 1964 for men and 1992 for women.

Techniques in judo are broadly divided into throwing techniques (nage-waza) and grappling techniques (katame-waza). Throws aim to project an opponent onto the mat, while grappling covers pins, joint locks, and choke holds. Training combines randori (sparring), kata (formal drills), and ukemi (breakfalls) to reduce injury. Practitioners wear a judogi, and belt ranks range from white to black and beyond, indicating experience and skill.

Competition is governed by rules that reward ippon (a decisive technique) and by points such as waza-ari. Safety, control, and fluid movement are emphasized, with penalties for illegal grips or unsafe conduct. Global organizing bodies include the International Judo Federation (IJF), which oversees World Championships and Olympic events. Judo is practiced worldwide, with national federations, clubs, and a wide range of age and skill divisions. Notable judokas include multiple Olympic and world champions who have elevated the sport’s international profile.