History
The Samurai and Their Martial Arts: From Bujutsu to Budō
How Japan’s warrior class rose with the bow, ruled with the sword, lost both to rifles and a law, and left behind judo, kendo and aikido.
10 min read · 21 Sept 2026
Discipline hub
Judo
The “gentle way”: throws, pins, joint locks and strangles – Olympic since 1964.
- Origin
- Japan
- Region
- East Asia
- Founded
- 1882
- Category
- Grappling
Judo (柔道, “the gentle way”) was developed in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō from several jūjutsu schools. The core idea: throw the opponent onto their back, pin them on the ground, or force a submission with a joint lock or strangle. There are no strikes or kicks in competition judo.
Character
- Grip fighting (kumi-kata): Whoever has the better grip on the gi controls the fight.
- Throws (nage-waza): Hip, leg, shoulder and sacrifice throws; a clean throw ends the match (ippon).
- Ground (ne-waza): Pins, arm locks, strangles.
Who is it for?
Anyone who wants to learn throwing technique and body awareness and values a structured path with a belt system. Judo is available almost everywhere through clubs and is one of the cheapest ways into martial arts: a gi is all you need.
Further reading: Judo on Wikipedia
Judo
History
History
Jigorō Kanō: The Educator Who Invented Judo
The life of Jigorō Kanō (1860–1938): the bullied boy from Mikage who built the Kōdōkan, ran Japan’s teacher training and became Asia’s first IOC member.
10 min read · 21 Sept 2026
History
The History of Sambo: The Soviet Union's Martial Art
How a Kōdōkan judoka, a Dynamo self-defence instructor and a Moscow systematiser built sambo for the Red Army and the police, and how it became a world sport.
7 min read · 20 Sept 2026
History
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Maeda to the Gracies
How Maeda Mitsuyo brought judo to Brazil, how the Gracies rebuilt it around leverage, and how UFC 1 in 1993 made it the grappling base of MMA.
9 min read · 17 Sept 2026
History
Judo: Kanō Jigorō and the Gentle Way
How Kanō Jigorō turned samurai jujutsu into judo in 1882, why the Kōdōkan beat the old schools, and how the gentle way became an Olympic sport.
10 min read · 17 Sept 2026
Judo
Training
Training
The Best Martial Art for Self-Defence: An Honest Ranking
No single art wins a street fight. An honest ranking of ten martial arts for self-defence by what actually matters: pressure-testing, speed and range.
9 min read · 21 Sept 2026
Training
Judo Scoring Explained: Ippon, Waza-ari, Shido and Golden Score
How a judo match is won: ippon, waza-ari, the 20-second hold, three shido, golden score and the referee's signals, under IJF rules as of 2026.
8 min read · 21 Sept 2026
Training
The Best Martial Arts for Kids, by Age and Temperament
Which martial art suits your child? A guide by age and temperament: judo, BJJ, karate, taekwondo, wrestling and boxing, plus how to judge a club.
8 min read · 21 Sept 2026
Training
Eight BJJ White Belt Mistakes That Slow Everyone Down
Strength over position, tapping late, collecting techniques, only rolling with weaker partners: eight habits that stretch the white belt year, and the fix.
8 min read · 20 Sept 2026
Training
The Last Week Before Competition: Preparing Body and Mind
Seven days out you gain no fitness but can lose a lot. A day-by-day plan for training, sleep, weight, routine and nerves, built on tapering research.
7 min read · 17 Sept 2026
Judo
Workouts
Workout
Kettlebell Strength for Fighters: 30 Minutes, One Bell
Hips, back, grip and core with one kettlebell in thirty minutes: swings, squats, rows, presses, carries. Which bell to buy, how to lift, how to progress.
5 min read · 17 Sept 2026
Judo
Nutrition
Guide
Hydration on Fight Day: Drinking, Refeed, Timing
From the weigh-in to the first bell: what to drink and eat, how much and when, so you step into the ring at full strength – with research-backed timings.
6 min read · 17 Sept 2026
Guide
Weight-Cut Basics: What Every Fighter Should Know
Lose fat or drop water? How much is realistic, when to start, what to eat in a deficit and where the line is. A sober, sourced guide without extreme protocols.
7 min read · 17 Sept 2026
Judo
Compared with other arts
Comparison
Aikido vs Judo: Which Japanese Art Should You Learn?
Two arts from the same jujutsu root, one with competition and one without: technique, training, effectiveness, injuries and purpose compared, which to choose.
5 min read · 20 Sept 2026
Comparison
BJJ vs Judo: Which Should You Learn?
Judo throws, BJJ finishes on the ground. What each trains, how they differ in rules, cost, injuries and time to competence, and which to pick for your goals.
9 min read · 20 Sept 2026
Comparison
Judo vs Wrestling: Which Takedown Art Should You Learn?
Throws with a jacket versus takedowns without one: technique, rules, injuries, cost and transfer to MMA and BJJ compared, and which takedown art to choose.
7 min read · 20 Sept 2026