Judo 03: Judo’s Journey to the Olympics

Professor Jigoro Kano had a dream to spread Judo across the world, and he believed the Olympic Games were the key. He worked tirelessly to have Judo recognized as an official Olympic sport, seeing it as an opportunity for Judo to grow beyond Japan.

Judo competitions were already being held in Europe in the 1920s, with countries like England and Germany participating. These competitions helped showcase Judo’s dynamic throws, which were exciting for spectators to watch. Unlike other martial arts that focused on dangerous techniques and kata (pre-arranged forms), Judo allowed for full, live competition without fear of injury, making it stand out.

Although Kano passed away in 1938 before seeing Judo in the Olympics, his efforts paid off. Judo was included in the 1964 Tokyo Games, marking a major step in the sport’s global recognition.