History of Judo
Timeline
| Period | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1882 | Jigoro Kano founds Kodokan Judo in Tokyo, distilling techniques from various jujitsu schools into a systematic, safe training method. |
| 1886 | Kodokan judo defeats traditional jujitsu schools in a famous tournament, establishing judo’s effectiveness. |
| 1930s–40s | Judo spreads globally through Japanese emigration and military connections. |
| 1964 | Judo debuts at the Tokyo Olympics — the first martial art in the Olympics. |
| 1992 | Women’s judo added to the Olympics (Barcelona). |
| Today | Over 40 million practitioners worldwide. Governed by the International Judo Federation (IJF). |
Jigoro Kano was a small, physically weak man who studied jujitsu to defend himself. He eliminated the most dangerous techniques, added the principle of mutual benefit, and created a martial art that could be practiced at full intensity without serious injury. His innovation was judo's emphasis on randori (free practice) — live training that builds real ability.