What is Judo?

Modern Judo techniques consists of four main divisions. They are throws, strangles, armlocks and hold-downs. Any one of these scores a point in competition. One point only is required to win. This is because in the early Samurai days it was thought that one of these techniques would finish off the enemy or at least put him at a serious disadvantage.

A successful throw is obvious. The man is whirled up and over and thrown with impetus on his back. The thrower must show that he has control and could increase the force of the throw.


With the armlocks and strangles the opponent must signal defeat or else he suffers injury.

A hold-down must be maintained for thirty seconds. The inter-play of all these techniques with defensive moves, continuation attacks, counter-throws, styles of fighting and so on makes judo a fascinating sport.