In mixed martial arts, there are many ancient sports that athletes study in order to become better fighters. These include Greco-Roman wrestling skills and boxing, both of which date back centuries. Judo, however, is quite important to MMA, but was only developed in the later part of the 19th century. You will find it similar to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in many ways, and that's not hard to understand, since BJJ actually developed out of the world of Kodokan Judo.
In Judo, the main objective is to find a way to knock your opponent to the ground and then use a lock or a choke in order to gain an advantage. Judo students do learn striking, however, throwing techniques and grappling skills are far more important. In fact, striking is not a part of either sparring practice or allowable in competitions. In the century or so since Judo was developed, there have been many figures important to the sport.
Jigoro Kano is the father of Judo, which also is known as Kodokan Judo, and the Kodokan institute is the arts' worldwide headquarters. Kano was small in stature and somewhat weak, but he wanted to remedy that by learning the art of jiujitsu. He found this art helpful, but added his own ideas and eventually created the fighting style and philosophy of Judo.
Another key figure, who also turned to Judo because of his small, weak stature, was Mitsuyo Maeda. He wanted to learn self defense and toughen up, and so he sought the teachings of Jigoro Kano. He learned so well, that he was one of several Judo experts who traveled the world demonstrating the skills of Judo. He inspired and trained a young man named Carlos Gracie, who would eventually develop Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Helio, using the skills taught by Maeda as a basis. Maeda was eventually awarded the rank of 7th dan black belt.
Tomita Tsunejiro deserves a mention among the great legends of Judo. He was one of the first students of Judo and was one of the first to be awarded a black belt grade by Jigoro Kano. Tsunejiro is known as one of the "Four Guardians" of this martial art and is also important as he was the teacher of Maeda Mitsuyo.
Judo has been an Olympic sport since the 1964 Summer Games, and actually was displayed as early as 1932. While you probably think the first gold medalist was from Japan, it was actually a gentleman from The Netherlands who won during those very first games. Anton Geesink not only holds the world's first Judo gold medal, he also has earned the rank of 10th dan black belt from the International Judo Federation. The Kodokan Institute, however, has never awarded a 10th dan black belt to anyone not from Japan, and has only awarded 15 people with this level of belt in history.
Judo increasingly is gaining popularity in the world of MMA, and many fighters are experts in Judo, such as Anderson Silva and Yoshihiro Akiyama, both of who are black belts. Ronda Rousey is a 4th dan black belt with a bronze medal in Judo from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and her high level of Judo expertise is quite evident during all of her bouts.
In Judo, the main objective is to find a way to knock your opponent to the ground and then use a lock or a choke in order to gain an advantage. Judo students do learn striking, however, throwing techniques and grappling skills are far more important. In fact, striking is not a part of either sparring practice or allowable in competitions. In the century or so since Judo was developed, there have been many figures important to the sport.
Jigoro Kano is the father of Judo, which also is known as Kodokan Judo, and the Kodokan institute is the arts' worldwide headquarters. Kano was small in stature and somewhat weak, but he wanted to remedy that by learning the art of jiujitsu. He found this art helpful, but added his own ideas and eventually created the fighting style and philosophy of Judo.
Another key figure, who also turned to Judo because of his small, weak stature, was Mitsuyo Maeda. He wanted to learn self defense and toughen up, and so he sought the teachings of Jigoro Kano. He learned so well, that he was one of several Judo experts who traveled the world demonstrating the skills of Judo. He inspired and trained a young man named Carlos Gracie, who would eventually develop Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Helio, using the skills taught by Maeda as a basis. Maeda was eventually awarded the rank of 7th dan black belt.
Tomita Tsunejiro deserves a mention among the great legends of Judo. He was one of the first students of Judo and was one of the first to be awarded a black belt grade by Jigoro Kano. Tsunejiro is known as one of the "Four Guardians" of this martial art and is also important as he was the teacher of Maeda Mitsuyo.
Judo has been an Olympic sport since the 1964 Summer Games, and actually was displayed as early as 1932. While you probably think the first gold medalist was from Japan, it was actually a gentleman from The Netherlands who won during those very first games. Anton Geesink not only holds the world's first Judo gold medal, he also has earned the rank of 10th dan black belt from the International Judo Federation. The Kodokan Institute, however, has never awarded a 10th dan black belt to anyone not from Japan, and has only awarded 15 people with this level of belt in history.
Judo increasingly is gaining popularity in the world of MMA, and many fighters are experts in Judo, such as Anderson Silva and Yoshihiro Akiyama, both of who are black belts. Ronda Rousey is a 4th dan black belt with a bronze medal in Judo from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and her high level of Judo expertise is quite evident during all of her bouts.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information regarding a San Diego jiu jitsu gym or to discover a San Diego martial arts gym, click here now.
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