Split across various weight classes, there is plenty of Judo to follow in the betting markets at any Olympic Games.
The sport has become a staple of the Olympic schedule since first arriving on the scenes in the 1960s.
It might not garner the largest live betting interest, but judo falls into that category of sports that fans can find themselves lured in by when the Games roll around.
The Olympics are a chance to see the best in the world in action.
History
Kanō Jigorō is the founder of judo. The sport built from Kanō’s efforts to cope with bullying when he was unable to find a jujitsu teacher. Mutual welfare and benefit, and maximum efficiency, minimum effort, are the two key principles to Kanō’s judo.
Kanō soon developed a wider philosophy around these principles. Branching out from the original ideas which underpinned jujitsu, Kanō took judo from being a martial art to a martial way.
With jujitsu out of fashion, Kanō saw judo as a way of life rather than combat, and believed the rebranding of the practice was necessary to make it appeal to the general population.
Throwing and grappling techniques became the main basis of judo. Different throwing techniques and break-falls are perfected by the world’s best.
Competitive judo originated around the turn of the 20th century. Contests began at 15 minutes in length, with contestants judged on their throwing and grappling techniques. In the first couple of decades of competitive judo, rules were tweaked, including the outlawing of neck locks.
A demonstration sport at the 1932 Olympics, Judo was officially added as an Olympic sport for the 1964 Games in Tokyo. It has been present at every Olympics since 1972.
Rules
Regulation Olympic judo matches are four minutes long. Contestants must bow before stepping onto the judo mat and have to bow towards their opponent. There should be no foul or abusive language.
Punches and kicks are not allowed in a judo bout. Judokas should never intentionally injure an opponent, and must not strike them in any other manner.
No joints other than the elbow can be attacked. Touching the opponent’s face is not allowed. Certain techniques involving leg entanglement and foot swipes have been banned.
Judokas are not allowed to get themselves into a defensive stance, and stalling is not allowed at any point in a match. False attacks are also not permitted.
Minor violations of judo rules result in a shido. A player is eliminated from the match if they accumulate three shidos.
Putting hands on the opponent’s face or intentionally stepping out of the combat area are just two of the infringements that could result in a shido.
Alternatively, judges can hand out a hansoku make. This eliminates the judoka from the match and the tournament. These are for severe rule violations like intentionally harming an opponent or accumulating three shidos.
Here are the weight classes for judo at the 2024 Olympics:
Men's weight classes:
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- 60kg
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-66kg
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-73kg
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-81kg
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-90kg
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-100kg
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+100kg
Women's weight classes:
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-48kg
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-52kg
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-57kg
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-63kg
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-70kg
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-78kg
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+78kg
Mixed team event weight classes:
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-57kg women
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-70kg women
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+70kg women
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-73kg men
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-90kg men
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+90kg men
Scoring
There are two ways of scoring in judo: ippon and waza-ari. Winning an ippon immediately ends the match.
These are only awarded in specific circumstances when the opponent is forced into submission, pinned for 20 seconds, or for a throw than lands the opponent on their back with speed, strength, and control.
Ippons can also be adjudged if a judoka chokes an opponent until they tap out or pass out. Alternatively, an arm lock can be applied to the elbow making the opponent give up.
A waza-ari is effectively a half-point. This is given for a pin down between 10 and 19 seconds or a throw which misses one of the three criteria above. Two waza-ari equates to an ippon and wins the match.
Mat Size & Dimensions
The competition area for a judo mat should be a minimum of 14 metres by 14 metres. The outer zone is called the safety zone.
Inside the larger square, there is a contest area between eight metres by eight metres and 10 metres by 10 metres. With the outer area required for safety, this must be at least three metres wide.
Equipment
Judokas wear suits/kimonos with an appropriately coloured belt. Some will choose to wear gumshields to protect against chipping teeth and biting their own tongues.
The mat is necessary for any judo fight, and headgear will often be used in training.
Most Successful Countries at the Olympics
Japan are the most successful country in Olympic judo with 96 total medals, half of which have been gold.
France are second with 16 golds and 57 total medals. South Korea (11) are the only other nation with double-digit Olympic golds. A total of 57 countries have claimed at least one medal in Olympic judo.
