Balance, mental focus and tactics meet technique, agility and leverage in this frenetic display of explosive throws. The objective – to take your opponent down using control, not brute force.

With its origins in Japan, the literal translation of the word ‘Judo’ is ‘gentle way’. While this is reflected by its status as a combat sport that prohibits punching, kicking or striking the opponent, don’t be fooled into thinking there’s a shortage of high-octane action.

There are two ways of scoring in Judo – an ‘Ippon’ (one full point), which automatically ends the bout, and a ‘waza-ari’, which is a half point, two of which would win the match.

An Ippon can be earned by throwing an opponent onto their back with ‘control and power’, or for a pin lasting 20 seconds. You can also earn an Ippon by causing the opponent to submit to a chokehold or arm lock.

Waza-ari is awarded for a throw that is successful but is deemed to lack control or power, or for a pin lasting under 20 seconds.

The practice of judo techniques helps people develop basic and fundamental physical fitness in a number of ways, such as the development of strength, flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive power, and endurance.

Previous Commonwealth Games Appearance

Judo is now a core sport in the Commonwealth Games programme. It was previously excluded in the 2018 edition in the Gold Coast but has now been reinstated as a core sport.

Birmingham 2022 will be the fourth time it has been contested following appearances at Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014.


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Judo Games History