Judo is a term that refers to the modern version of the Japanese martial art and combat sport. The name, which means “gentle way”, evolved in late nineteenth century Japan, and martial arts experts agree that it’s most prominent feature lies primarily on its competitive element, and its objectives or main goals are to throw your opponent to the ground, immobilize him/her with a clutching or grappling maneuver, and/or pressing an opponent into submission by employing a choke or locking an elbow. The player’s hand and feet move by striking or thrusting an opponent, along with other weapons; however these are only done in a pre-arranged manner, and are disallowed in official judo competitions or free practice, randori.

This martial art form evolved from the art of jiujitsu, referring to a system of hand-to-hand combat. In feudal Japan, the bushi or Samurai were given credit for developing jujutsu, although during the heyday of the Samurai it was referred to as Yoroi kumi-uchi. This early form involved a grappling nhatvip maneuver, with both opponents fully clad in traditional Japanese armor. As the sport spread throughout the Western world and rapidly began to grow in popularity, it became part of sporting circles, leading to its inclusion as an official Olympic sport in the 1964 Tokyo Games. With the entry of judo as an official Olympic sport, more emphasis was placed into its more physical and competitive aspects, which according to purists and critics, was made at the expense of its moral, intellectual and spiritual foundations.

Over the past century, the official rules of judo competitions have dramatically changed. Initially, the sport of Kodokan Judo was viewed as a form of jujutsu and official competitions were usually held in the older jujutsu style. According to early participants, the competition in those days was tremendously rough, which at times cost some of the players their lives. Competition among