Judo
Judo is a combat sport in which two athletes in jackets and trousers, the judogi, try to throw or hold each other down. A throw that lands the opponent on the back with speed, force and control, a hold-down of 20 seconds or a submission to a strangle or an elbow lock scores ippon and ends the contest at once; lesser throws and holds score waza-ari or yuko. A contest is four minutes of fighting time.
New to judo? Start here
How long
Four minutes of fighting time, the clock stopping whenever the referee halts the action
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Olympic Games (judo)The title judo is measured by.Every 4 years · Holder: 15 events
- 2World Judo ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Yearly · Holder: Baku 2026, 4 to 11 October: 14 weight classes…
- 3Asian Games (judo)Asia's multi-sport title; for India often the most reachable major medal.Every 4 years · Holder: Aichi–Nagoya 2026
- 4Commonwealth Games (judo)A multi-sport title against the Commonwealth nations.Every 4 years · Holder: 14 events, 7 for men and 7 for women
India
- Judo at the Olympic Games: No medal; best place =9th, Lourembam Brojeshori Devi (2000) and Akram Shah (2004)
- World Judo Championships: No medal
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaJudo at the Asian Games: 5 bronzes (latest 1994); Judo at the Commonwealth Games: 2 golds, 6 silvers, 7 bronzes (latest 2026)
- JapanJudo at the Olympic Games: 51 golds, 23 silvers, 30 bronzes (latest 2024); World Judo Championships: 194 golds, 116 silvers, 135 bronzes (latest 2026)
- FranceJudo at the Olympic Games: 18 golds, 15 silvers, 34 bronzes (latest 2024); World Judo Championships: 65 golds, 49 silvers, 93 bronzes (latest 2026)
- South KoreaWorld Judo Championships: 33 golds, 12 silvers, 73 bronzes (latest 2026); Judo at the Asian Games: 43 golds, 36 silvers, 54 bronzes (latest 2026)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Judo Federation (IJF), Sport and Organisation Rules, version of 24 July 2026, with its Refereeing Rules |
| International federation | International Judo Federation (IJF) |
| In India | Judo Federation of India (JFI): MYAS granted conditional recognition on 13 July 2026 to the executive committee elected on 8 June 2026 under a Delhi High Court order (president Mukesh Kumar), subject to the pending court cases; it was on the MYAS list for 2026 as an interim body |
The recognition depends on court cases still pending; a published page should say so.
Where and when it is played
On a mat. Men and women each have seven weight classes; each category is a knockout with a repechage, so there are two bronze medals. There is also a mixed team event of three women and three men. The big events: the Olympic Games every four years and the World Judo Championships every year.