Medkwai Judo Club
Origins of Judo
Judo is a Japanese martial art which is translated as the 'Gentle Way'.
Kano and the Creation of Judo
Ju jitsu was developed by the Samurai in Japan as a form of combat on the battlefield. Much later, Jigoro Kano derived judo from ju jitsu.
In 1882, he made a study into the various existing martial arts, and from this created judo. Judo was intended to combine safe and controlled martial arts with a disciplined and ethical way of life. He finished categorising Kodokan judo in 1887.
Olympics​
Kano was the first Asian member of the Olympic Committee, and helped to spread awareness of the sport.
Judo was first included in the Olympics in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Judo in Britain
Judo was first introduced to Britain when Japanese judo experts began touring Britain.
The first judo club in Britain was the Budokwai, which opened in 1918.