Judo was developed in Japan by Dr Jigoro Kano towards the end of the 19th century and has evolved from being a martial art into one of the world’s most popular sports.

What is Judo?

Since its inclusion in the 1964 Olympic Games Judo has progressed rapidly and is without doubt the world’s most popular combat sport. Judo is however much more than a sport, it is also seen to be effective as an educational system in both physical and moral spheres.

Judo is an ideal form of physical exercise and it benefits participant’s general health and overall fitness. There are many benefits to participating regularly in Judo. As in intense cardiovascular workout it improves cardiovascular capability, increases stamina and builds strength. The movement required for effective Judo improves balance, posture, reflexes and co-ordination. As a result of prolonged participation improvements in flexibility and weight loss are common.

As a fundamental sport, Judo is excellent for young children. It has been shown to help with proprioception and spatial awareness. It teaches children the physical literacy and athletic skills required for a range of sporting activities. Therefore, sports such as judo and gymnastics are ideal for those children wishing to compete in other sports.

As mentioned, the benefits of judo are not restricted to physical improvement. The moral benefits of Judo are a direct result of the transition from martial art to what Kano termed “Do” or “way of life”. Kano added a strict code of ethics and a humanitarian philosophy to his system. His Judo instructors and students were expected to be outstanding examples of good character and honest conduct. Ultimate Judo holds this element of Judo in high regard. As such we endeavour uphold the etiquette of Judo and instil this in all our students. The result being that we see students develop greater levels of discipline and respect.

Judo is an ideal sport for all ages, males or females and attracts very many disability groups. Confidence and self-esteem are enhanced as a player progresses through the ranks and the very nature of the grading system ensures that the next goal is always realistic and achievable with effort. The grading system also ensures that regardless of their skill level all Judo players can actively compete with players of similar ability and hence they have a reasonable chance of emerging victorious.

Judo is an excellent way to make friends and socialise with groups of like minded people.

We hope you have been inspired to take your child along to Ultimate Judo or try some Judo yourself by reading this, if so, please contact us at any time.

  

Judo Info – A great site for all things judo-related.

Judo Scotland -  National governing body for Judo in Scotland

Koka Kids – Popular site of the children's magazine, Koka Kids. Full of fun stories, competitions, pictures and videos of the top stars in action.

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