Martial Art: Judo

I’m Vlad and I’d like to tell about sport in my life. I’m a sporty person and it means that sport is important in my life. I have been practicing judo for over nine years. My mum brought me to the judo club when I was four years old. Currently I hold an orange belt. I do judo three times a week. Each training session lasts from two to three hours.

During our training sessions, we begin with a parade and roll call. Following that, we perform a ten-circle run and engage in a warm-up routine. Then, we practice throwing techniques and various fighting techniques.

We are fortunate to have an excellent coach who teaches us not only how to win and lose with dignity but many values such as respect, self-control, and perseverance. Our coach motivates and encourages us to do our best.

In our judo club, there are many boys and we are divided into three groups. I belong to the eldest group, which consists of thirty boys.

Every Friday, we engage in friendly sparring sessions where our objective is to show our skills in specific fighting techniques.

Some of the boys from our club participate in competitions in Ukraine and Poland. While I have visited Poland, I have not yet had the opportunity to compete there.

I do judo to be fit,  for personal development and self-defense.

Do you do judo? What sports do you do?

And now I’d like to share some interesting facts about judo:

• Judo was founded in Japan by Jigoro Kano in 1882. Kano was inspired by traditional Japanese jujutsu and sought to create a modern martial art that focused on practical techniques and personal development. Judo emphasizes using an opponent’s strength against them and includes throws, pins, and submissions.
• Judo means “gentle way” in Japanese. The term reflects the principle of using minimal force to overcome an opponent, emphasizing technique and efficiency.
• Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964. It is one of the few martial arts included in the Olympic Games, and both men and women compete in various weight categories.
• The main objective in judo is to throw an opponent onto their back with force and control, or to immobilize them on the ground with a pin or submission hold. Strikes and kicks are not allowed in judo competitions.
• A judo practitioner is called a judoka. A judoka trains for personal development, self-defense, or competitive purposes.
• Judo practitioners wear a special uniform called a “judogi.” The judogi consists of a jacket (uwagi), pants (zubon), and a belt (obi). The color of the belt indicates a practitioner’s rank, with white representing beginners and black representing advanced levels.
• Judo matches take place on a mat called a “tatami.” The mat provides a safe and cushioned surface for throws and groundwork.
• Judo follows a set of rules and etiquette to ensure safety and fair play. Some key rules include not attacking the opponent’s joints directly, avoiding dangerous techniques, and showing respect to the referee and opponents.
• Judo promotes physical fitness, mental discipline, and character development. It emphasizes values such as respect, self-control, and perseverance. Judo training helps practitioners develop balance, coordination, and strength.
• Judo has different belt ranks or grades to signify a practitioner’s progress and skill level. Each belt level has specific requirements and criteria for promotion. Here is the typical belt color order in judo, starting from beginner to advanced levels: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black.
• Judo can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to learn and practice under the guidance of a qualified instructor.