INTERESTING FACTS ON JUDO
Judo is the 2nd most practiced sport in the world (2nd only to soccer).
Judo is the only sport based martial art where you practice full contact grappling skills in standing and on the ground every time you train. These are the skills you need most in order to defend yourself
Judo is also ideal for children as it promotes physical, mental and character development, combining safe and fun gymnastic skills with a form of self defense that is much less likely to injure someone than martial arts involving striking (kicking, punching etc..)
Rather than striking, Judo involves realistic and effective grappling skills such as throws, hold downs, arm-locks, strangles, escapes and counters for all kinds of attacks
Judo has been recognized as one of the 5 most physically demanding sports in the world, working virtually every muscle and developing every form of fitness from cardiovascular endurance, slow twitch muscle power and fast twitch muscle speed to total body coordination and flexibility
Being registered with the International Judo Federation, Samurai Judo Academy at Newcastle PCYC has affiliated judo clubs in virtually every major city and town in the world, all of which are open to visits from you as a member
JUDO DESCRIBED
Judo has been variably described as the competitive sport version of jujitsu, Japanese wrestling, a premier olympic level martial art and a personal development pursuit. It is all of those things, and much more. The spectacular nature of the sport belies the inate safety of the sport, since it was designed specifically to be able to be practised at full bore by people of all ages, for children of 6 to senior citizens, male and female.
Some insight into the world of judo is best gained through the words of the International Judo Federations own website www.ijf.org - which says . . .
. . ."Judo is much more than the mere learning and application of combat techniques, however. In its totality, it is a wonderful system of physical, intellectual, and moral education. Judo has its own culture, systems, heritage, customs, and traditions. Moreover, the principles of gentleness are carried from the practice mats and into most students' lives, in their interactions with their friends, family, work colleagues, and even strangers. Judo gives its students a code of ethics, a way of living, and a way of being. Practiced today by millions of individuals, judo is undoubtedly the most popular combat sport in the world. In terms of sheer numbers of participants, judo is the second most popular sport of any sport, soccer being number one. In terms of national organizations worldwide, judo is the largest sport in the world, with the greatest number of member nations in the International Judo Federation, or IJF. It is a part of the physical education systems of many countries, and practiced in local clubs, junior high and high schools, colleges, regional and national training centers, and in many other areas in this country and across the world. Millions have discovered the spectacular enriching sport, and way of life, we know of as judo."
JUDO PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of judo arose from Dr Jigoro Kano, a Japanese professor who founded judo in 1882. He began teaching judo to monks who were not supposed to carry weapons and did not wish to injure or kill the bandits who regularly attacked them. This philosophy is reflected in the International Judo Code of Etiquette, requiring care and respect for your opponent as well as your training partners. It can be experienced in dojos throughout the world by what is affectionately referred to as "judo spirit"
Judo rapidly spread across the world and Dr Kano went on to become a national hero, receiving international recognition for his contribution to sports culture. This ultimately culminated in judo being introduced as an Olympic sport way back in 1964.
WHAT JUDO CAN OFFER YOU
For children, judo is a wonderful activity to learn a sense of respect and responsibility for others well being, while at the same time providing a the means to develop mind, body and character in a wholesome, challenging and competitive environment.
Through judo, youth and young adults can satisfy their need to master athletic techniques, build strength, fitness and possibly climb to State, National and International level competition success.
For mature adults and parents, judo is arguably one of the best ways of all to develop true self confidence, fitness, a chance to compete or just play socially, help with the development of their children and make new friendships that can last a lifetime.
For senior citizens judo provides skills that could well extend our years - promoting balance, skeletal health, safety from injurous falls, cardio-vascular health, and unlimited opportunity to study the strong cultural, philosophical and historical aspects of judo when our more ambitious competitive days are behind us. Whatever your age or gender, Judo can truly be a way of life!
Judo is unique amongst the martial arts in that it is uniformly governed throughout the world to a single standard and has been an Olympic sport since 1964. The rules, language and standards of judo are the same thoughout the entire world from the smallest outback club to the Olympic Games.
QUOTES ON JUDO BY SENSEI KEN MCKENZIE
Judo as an Optimal form of Self Defence
"I am concerned about the promotion of striking based martial arts to children and believe that all parents need to think carefully about what they encourage their children to get into. The reality is that, if in a physical conflict situation, children will tend to use the techniques that they have practiced repeatedly. It is not necessary to kick or punch someone to defend yourself - judo provides a much safer and, I believe, more ethical option."
"Whilst martial arts that involve striking techniques are commendable in many ways, it concerns me that they are often portrayed as an effective form of self defense for girls or women when this may not be the case and may result in a false sense of security. Kicking and punching become useless once you are wrestled to the ground and unless you regularly practice grappling skills, you are simply not going to be able to fight off an attacker"
"The same principle applies to adults, but with a more serious side. Striking someone carries a risk of serious injury and may result in liability for damages, particularly if the force used is considered excessive. Judo utilizes the principle of 'minimal necessary force' and the techniques are specifically designed to defeat an opponent without causing injury."
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