judo

Form of wrestling of Japanese origin. The two combatants wear loose-fitting, belted jackets and trousers to facilitate holds, and falls are broken by a square mat; when one has established a painful hold that the other cannot break, the latter signifies surrender by slapping the ground with a free hand. Degrees of proficiency are indicated by the colour of the belt: for novices, white, then yellow, orange (2 degrees), green (2 degrees), blue (2 degrees), brown (2 degrees), then black (Dan grades; 10 degrees, of which 1st to 5th Dan wear black belts, 6th to 9th wear red and white, and 10th wears solid red).

Judo is a synthesis of methods from the many forms of jujitsu, the traditional Japanese skill of self-defence and offence without weapons, which was originally practised as a secret art by the feudal samurai. Today, judo has been adopted throughout the world in the armed forces, the police, and in many schools. It became an Olympic sport in 1964. The world championship was first held in 1956 for men, in 1980 for women; it is now contested biennially.