Judo 06: The Role of Women in Judo’s Evolution

Another major development in Judo’s history was the inclusion of women. The first Women’s World Judo Championships were held in New York City in 1980, and women’s Judo became a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. By 1992, women were officially competing in Judo at the Barcelona Games.

Female athletes like Ingrid Berghmans from Belgium and Tina Takahashi from Canada helped elevate the status of women’s Judo. Their success paved the way for future generations of female Judokas (Judo practitioners), contributing to the sport’s inclusiveness and growth.