The History of Judo
More than a sport, judo is an educational system both physically and morally, that is practised in almost every country of the world. Created in Japan, the founder of Judo Dr Jigoro Kano was born in 1860, graduating with a degree in literature from Tokyo Imperial University in 1881 before taking a further degree in philosophy. Dr Kano went on to become a leading educationalist and a prominent figure in the Japanese Olympic movement. Since its inclusion in the 1964 Olympic Games judo has progressed rapidly and is without doubt one of the world’s most popular combat sports.
Judo within the UK
The first club to be founded outside of Japan was the Budokwai, created by Gunji Koizumi in London, England. Tuition was given in judo, kendo and other aspects of Japanese culture. The official opening took place on 26 January 1918 and within four months the membership had grown to 44.
Koizumi’s international vision for the growth of judo came to fruition in 1948. On 24 July, the British Judo Association was established as the representative national governing body. Four days later, a meeting under the chairmanship of Trevor Leggett, the most senior non-Japanese player in the world, approved the constitution of a European Judo Union (EJU) to represent judo in the continent of Europe. Three years later, the International Judo Federation (IJF) was created with the remit of governing judo globally.
The purpose of Judo
The first club to be founded outside of Japan was the Budokwai, created by Gunji Koizumi in London, England. Tuition was given in judo, kendo and other aspects of Japanese culture. The official opening took place on 26 January 1918 and within four months the membership had grown to 44.
Koizumi’s international vision for the growth of judo came to fruition in 1948. On 24 July, the British Judo Association was established as the representative national governing body. Four days later, a meeting under the chairmanship of Trevor Leggett, the most senior non-Japanese player in the world, approved the constitution of a European Judo Union (EJU) to represent judo in the continent of Europe. Three years later, the International Judo Federation (IJF) was created with the remit of governing judo globally.
