About Judo
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DID YOU KNOW?
Judo is the most widely practiced martial art and the second most-practiced sport worldwide after soccer.
Classes Held at the Kansas City North Community Center 3930 NE Antioch Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64117
Email: kbrink@welcomematjudoclub.org
Call: 816-969-9019
Judo is one of the best forms of physical education ever devised. It's also an Olympic sport, an excellent method of self-defense and a great recreational activity. But is judo for everyone? Maybe not. It's a grappling activity where there is a lot of physical contact with other people. It can be a rough activity and an even rougher sport. If you're looking for something that gets you up close and personal with other people, then judo might be for you. In 1882, Prof. Jigoro Kano developed Kodokan Judo in Tokyo, Japan. Prof. Kano initially had only nine students but his adaptation of jujutsu quickly became popular. Today, millions of people all over the world practice judo. Judo consists of throws, pins, chokes and armlocks. Over the years, there have been many influences on the original Kodokan Judo Prof. Kano founded and it has become a modern Olympic sport. Judo was included as a demonstration sport for men in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and became a regular part of the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich, Germany. In 1988, women's judo was included as a demonstration sport in the Seoul, Korea Olympic Games and was included as a full sport in 1992 in the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. But judo is more than a sport. It's one of the best forms of physical education ever invented and can be used for personal growth and development.
Judo is Fun!
As in all sports, Judo has a strict set of rules that governs competition and ensures safety. For those who want to test their skills, Judo offers the opportunity for competition at all skill levels, from club to national tournaments, to the Olympic Games. There are separate weight divisions for men and women, and boys and girls.
Judo is best known for it's spectacular throwing techniques but also involves considerable grappling on the ground utilizing specialized pins, control holds, arm locks, and Judo choking techniques. Judo emphasizes safety, and full physical activity for top conditioning. Judo is learned on special mats for comfort and safety.
Judo is unique in that all age groups, both sexes, and most disabled persons can participate together in learning and practicing the sport. Judo is an inexpensive, year-round activity, that appeals to people from all walks of life. Many people over sixty years of age enjoy the sport, as well as very young boys and girls.
Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. Judo provides the means for learning self-confidence, concentration, and leadership skills, as well as physical coordination, power, and flexibility. As a sport that has evolved from a fighting art, it develops complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexive action. Above all, it develops a sharp reacting mind well-coordinated with the same kind of body. Judo training gives a person an effective self-defense system if the need arises. Judo is often a part of the training done by athletes preparing for MMA matches.
According to American College of Sports Medicine, it is the safest contact sport for children under 13. text.
