Judo is a modern martial art and Olympic sport created by Professor Jigoro Kano in Japan in 1882.

Judo translates as “The Gentle Way” and is practised in a Dojo which literally means “Place of the Way”. Those who practise Judo are known as Judoka.

Judo mainly consists of throwing, holding, armlock and choking techniques which follow the fundamental principles of Judo. These are below:

Maximum efficiency, minimum effort

Mutual welfare and benefit

Gentleness controls hardness

Judo consists of three different types of techniques known as waza; throwing techniques nage-waza grappling techniques katame-waza and striking techniques atemi-waza, however Judo in it’s competitive form is mostly known for nage-waza and katame waza.

Professor Jigoro Kano

Each session usually consists of practising break falls known as ukemi, which complement the nage-waza techniques to ensure all Judoka can be thrown without injury.

The person who performs the technique is known as Tori, whilst the person receiving the technique is known as Uke.

Abingdon Judo Club is based at White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Audlett Drive, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3PJ

Specific Judo techniques are detailed on the Grading Syllabus page.