🥋 The History of Judo

                                                            🌿 Roots in Ancient Japan

Judo began as a branch of jujutsu, an old Japanese martial art used by samurai warriors. Jujutsu involved strikes, throws, locks, and pins—methods for defeating enemies in armor, often with minimal weaponry.


👨‍🏫 Enter Jigoro Kano – The Founder of Judo

In 1882, a young, brilliant Japanese educator named Jigoro Kano created judo by refining and reorganizing techniques from jujutsu.

He wanted something more than just fighting:

“Maximum efficiency, minimum effort. Mutual welfare and benefit.”

Judo became a physical, mental, and moral discipline, not just a combat technique.

He opened his first dojo (training hall) in a small Buddhist temple in Tokyo. He called it the Kodokan, meaning "a place to learn the way."

🌍 Spreading Across the World

  • Early 1900s: Judo began spreading beyond Japan to Europe and the Americas.

  • 1964: Judo became the first martial art included in the Olympic Games (Tokyo Olympics).

  • It is now practiced in over 200 countries, by millions of people, from children to elite athletes.

 🌸 Judo Is More Than a Sport

It teaches:

  • Respect and discipline

  • Balance and timing

  • How to fall—and get up again

  • And above all, humility and control

As Kano himself said:

“The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect yourself and to contribute to society.”

 Speaking activity: The story of my sport  ⬅

 


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