Netfundu - judo

Style Name: Judo (pronounced joo-doe)
Meaning: "The way of flexibility" or "The way of gentleness"
Country of origin: Japan

Did you know?

Judo is a rare style of martial art and there are no different "schools" of Judo. Wherever it is studied around the world, the student will learn the same techniques, unlike most styles of martial arts which can have dozens of schools, each with its own particular brand of the style.

Judo was developed in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano from the techniques of Jujitsu. Kano felt that Jujitsu was too violent, and so he eliminated or altered its techniques (where necessary) to fulfill his ideal of "mutual benefit" of the practitioner and society as a whole, one of the two concepts central to Judo. Another founding concept of Judo, "maximum efficiency from minimum effort" allows the practitioner to defeat a stronger opponent by turning his strength against him.

This can be seen in Judo's main physical elements. Judo emphasizes on grappling techniques, especially those that upset the enemy's balance. These include: gaining leverage, throws, clothes grabbing, joint locks, and strangle holds. Advanced students also learn to strike vital areas. It's primarily a grappling technique than a striking one.

Fundu Fact

Judo's founder, Professor Kano, discouraged competition Judo. Ironically though, Judo has become a very popular competition sport and has even been featured in the Olympics since 1964.

Similar Styles

Dumog - A sport from the Philippines where competitors attempt to throw one another to their backs using grappling techniques.
Goshin-Jutsu - Like Professor Kano, Tanaka Tatsu felt that Jujitsu was too violent and dangerous, so he created this style which was safer.
Sambo - Russian wrestling style developed in the 1930's. It's a culmination of over 20 styles of wrestling practiced in the republics of the Soviet Union.
Yudo - The Korean style of Judo