Since Judo's induction as an Olympic sport in 1964, its popularity as a competitive sport has grown considerably.
Founder Jigoro Kano intended that success in Judo should depend on skill, rather than strength or size. He was also opposed to public competitions and championships. However, in the first Olympic Judo competition, there were four weight categories: lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight, and open, in which men of all weights could compete with each other. But because larger fighters, who were equally skilled as the lighter ones, kept dominating these competitions, the light-middleweight and light-heavyweight categories were added in 1984.
According to guidelines set by the International Judo Federation in 2000, competitors wear different colored judogi: one white, the other blue. Competition takes place on a foam-covered area 14 by 14 meters (46 by 46 feet) or 16 by 16 meters (52 by 52 feet). Points can only be scored in the indicated "safety zone." One referee monitors the competitors by moving with them. Additionally, there are two judges on the opposite corners of the ring to ensure that the points are given accurately.
Judo
Competition Rings
Dimensions
of the Competition Area
Matches usually last from three to twenty minutes. The main way a contestant can win a match is by scoring "ippon," or a full point. Ippon can be scored when:
- A contestant throws his opponent on his back with significant force and speed
- A contestant immobilizes his opponent for 25 seconds
- A contestant taps twice or more with his hand or foot, or says
"matte," to acknowledge his defeat, due to a choke or armlock.
Other scores include Koka (one-tenth of a point), Yuko (one-quarter of a point) and Wa-zari (half a point). It's possible to add up 2 Wa-zaris to score an Ippon, but the other scores (Koka and Yuko) cannot be added up.
Read
more
about the rules
Competition Video Clips (with Ippon scores)
Left
(447 kb)
Middle
(725 kb)
Right
(872 kb)
Like challenges? Take the Judo Quiz.
Image
of "Dimensions of the Competition Area" and
Video Clips of "Competition Video Clips" from
Judo Information Site (http://judoinfo.com/menu.shtml).
JudoSensei@aol.com. Aug 2001. Email message.
