What Is Judo?

Judo: A brief history

Judo is first and foremost a philosophy; a way of applying your body and mind – literaly translated as The Gentle Way.

Founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882, The Kodokan – a Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Japan – became the birthplace of the practise of Judo. Kano’s vision for Judo was “maximum efficiency, minimum effort”. The theory places an emphasis on the balance of energy and force, when resisting a more powerful opponent will result in your defeat, whilst adjusting and evading your opponent’s attack will cause them to lose balance, their power will be reduced, and you will defeat him. This flow of balance makes it possible for weaker opponents to beat significantly stronger ones.

“Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and your soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is final goal of judo discipline.”

— Jigoro Kano, Founder of Judo

Judo’s philosophy can be broken down into three overlapping areas: physical education, sport, and unarmed combat.

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Modern Judo

Like many other martical arts, judo is a full-contact sport. While it may initially be seen as combat, it is judo’s discipline and gentle philosophy that makes it so appealing for so many players.

The sport of judo continues to promote education and development, awarding players with ascending grades as a recognition of their knowledge and practise.

Since it’s inclusion at the Olympic Games, judo has been a well-respected competition sport with opportunities for players practised at club, local, state, national and international level, with World Championship and Olympic level to practise at club, local, state, national and international level, with World Championship and Olympic level representation. The places judo can take you are endless.

Banded by grades, weights, gender and age, there is something fair, safe and fun for everyone; whether practising judo is about personal growth, physical eduation, self-defense, fitness and sport, or a community, judo is a sport that supports its players in many ways.

Find A Judo Class Our Judo Philosophy

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The Judo Grading System

As players develop skills and techniques, they are able to attend gradings where these may now be demonstrated. Players who arte successful in demonstrating their abilities are awarded grades, ascending from mon, to kyu, to dan.

Gradings provide an important milstone in a player’s judo career, and the awarding of a grade is represented by a coloured belt. As a player progresses, they may wear a belt that is recognised by the judo community of their skill and ability.

The national grades system is recognised Australia-wide and provides players with an opportunity for recognised achievement by themselves and their peers.

For more information see the National Grading Policy.