What is Judo?

What is Judo?

Judo is a modern Japanese martial art that focuses on throws, grappling, and control. Rather than relying on strikes, Judo teaches you how to use balance, leverage, and timing to subdue an opponent—often by lifting or sweeping them off their feet and taking them to the ground.

The word Judo means the gentle way. It was founded by Jigoro Kano in the late 1800s as a way to take the powerful techniques of traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu and refine them into a system that could be practised safely, taught widely, and used to develop both body and character.

The heart of Judo lies in the principle of maximum efficiency with minimal effort. Instead of meeting force with force, Judo teaches you to redirect it, to off-balance your opponent, and to use their energy against them.

Training involves learning how to fall safely (ukemi), how to throw (nage-waza), and how to control or submit an opponent on the ground (katame-waza). These include pins, joint locks, and strangles, all taught under close supervision and with an emphasis on safety and mutual respect.

Judo is also an Olympic sport. Matches are dynamic and fast-paced, rewarding skill, timing, and control rather than brute strength. While competitive Judo offers a clear outlet for testing skill, many people train simply for the physical fitness, discipline, and confidence it brings.

It’s suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Because it’s based on leverage and technique rather than size or aggression, smaller individuals can often overcome larger opponents with the right timing and positioning.

Judo builds strong fundamentals in movement, awareness, and discipline. And because it shares its roots with Aikido and Karate through Ju-Jitsu, you'll often notice overlapping concepts—whether it’s the balance and control of Aikido or the focus and posture of Karate.

So if you're looking for a martial art that teaches power through precision, builds physical and mental resilience, and has a long tradition of respect and discipline, Judo is a powerful path worth exploring.