Judo was developed by Professor Jigoro Kano in 1882.

The Kodokan was the main teaching base for Judo which was known as ‘Kodokan Judo’ for some time. Judo was derived from Jujitsu which had many names and schools. Jujitsu is an art for either attacking others or defending oneself with nothing but one’s own body. Prof. Kano utilised and adapted the best techniques of the Jujitsu schools and eliminated dangerous techniques to formulate Kodokan Judo based on his own ideas and vision.

It started with only nine disciples and a twelve-mat dojo. After a short while Kodokan Judo was recognized as the superior form when its students beat Jujitsu athletes at the Police Bujitsu Contest. This first step put Judo, and particularly Kodokan Judo, on the map and established Judo as a recognised martial art. Prof. Kano promoted judo as a physical exercise and encouraged it’s development as a national sport, this ideal being aided by the fact that Prof Kano also taught the Emperor’s children.

He continued to formulate a set of rules and regulations and went on to become the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909 and worked towards the propagation of Judo world-wide.

Judo became an official event in the Olympic Games of 1964, backed by Judo fans and sport promoters all over the world. It is now a very popular sport almost anywhere in the world.

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