| Judo is a great sport for everyone,
from school age to any age, from fully able to special needs.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the sport.
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WHAT
IS JUDO? Judo has its roots in ju-jitsu,
which goes back many centuries in Japanese history when
is was a brutal and often lethal method of self-defence
and unarmed combat. Judo was established as a modern physical
activity when in 1882; Professor Jigoro Kano founded his
Kodokan Judo. Responsible for education he was aware that
physical education in his country at that time was sadly
lacking. Jealous ju-jitsu masters began to question this
system and the matter could only be settled by arranging
a tournament between the various schools. This was done
in 1886 and the outcome was a totally victorious Kodokan.
Japanese police officials had been watching the proceedings
closely; they were looking for an acceptable method of apprehending
and controlling aggressive law-breakers without resorting
to weapons. To them Judo was the answer and it is used in
Japanese police training to this day. From that time, Judo
schools were established in many countries and the first
Judo club to open in Europe, the Budokwai which still operates
today, was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi who became known
later as "The Father of British Judo". There are
now nearly 1,000 Judo clubs registered with the British
Judo Association in the United Kingdom.
Since the inclusion of Judo in the 1964 Olympic Games it
has been regarded as a modern Olympic combat sport although
some followers still consider it very much an "art
form". Kano said that Judo is a teaching for life itself
and with it we learn to overcome the pitfalls and obstacles
of everyday living.
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HOW
CAN I JOIN A JUDO CLUB? It is most important
to start correctly with a qualified Judo Coach. The British
Judo Association is the official Governing Body for Judo
in the United Kingdom. Clubs registered with the British
Judo Association provide qualified coaches and you can obtain
an up-to-date list of such clubs in your area from the Association
Head Office or click here for a club
listing
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| HOW
CAN I BE SURE I’M GETTING QUALITY COACHING? The
BJA Coach award structure is designed to ensure that qualified
Coaches deliver safe, quality Judo instruction. The Coach
award system is widely regarded as being one of the best
in the world. All BJA member Clubs are required to have
at least one qualified BJA Coach, who you can be assured
has had to meet the strict standards laid down. In the past
potential Coaches were required to pass a First Aid exam,
however since First Aid practice evolves continually, Coaches
must now obtain an external First Aid Certificate. The Association
has a strict child protection policy and ensures all Coaches
complete personal disclosure documents prior to granting
a Club licence .
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WHERE
DO I OBTAIN A JUDO SUIT, ETC? Most sports
shops and many of our Members Clubs supply Judogi (Judo
suits) at reasonable rates and second-hand kit is often
available from clubs. The Judogi is reinforced in all the
right places and consists of a jacket, trousers and belt.
The only other personal equipment required would be a pair
of zori, which are Japanese style slippers and are needed
for walking to and from the training or contest mat (a lot
of people use flip-flops for this purpose).
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WHAT
ARE MON, KYU AND DAN GRADES? For players
aged from 8 to 15 years, there are 18 levels of skill grades
known as Mon (Junior) grades, which are denoted by coloured
and banded belts. The first six of these grades can now
be obtained locally within a players own Club - all BJA
qualified Coaches are allowed to examine up to this level.
From 6 th Mon onward players must be examined by BJA qualified
examiners, more than likely at Area gradings.
From 16 years, Kyu (senior) skill grades apply and are
again denoted by belts of different colours. Everyone has
to work through the grading system to reach the 1st Dan
Grade when the player is entitled to wear the famous black
belt. Even then there are higher levels for the very dedicated.
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| HOW
OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO DO JUDO? Judo training
can start at any age. BJA members ranged from five to 85.
As for starting Judo later in life, whilst one might not
expect to reach Olympic standard there are still goals to
be achieved. The BJA Dan Grade Register has on record a
man who started Judo aged 54 and in eight years achieved
his 1st Dan black belt.
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WHAT
ABOUT UNDER EIGHT YEAR OLDS? On advice from
out Medical Commission the BJA does not allow contest for
under eight year-olds. We do however have a system for them
known as the Kano Club in which they can study simple actions
and refereeing terms and then demonstrate them. Special
certificates and badges are awarded for successes in the
Kano examination system. The Kano examination system also
allows fast track conversion into the Mon grade system when
players reach eight years of age.
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| WHY
DO I NEED A LICENCE? Although the
accident rate is far lower than in some other sports it
has to be said that Judo is a tough combat sport. It is
therefore wise to have a licence, which gives insurance
cover. Gradings and competitions take place all over the
country and throughout the year under BJA rules and at which
anyone taking part must have a licence. A Calendar
of Events containing details of competitions and gradings
can be obtained from BJA head office. A detailed Calendar
of Events and more details on BJA insurance cover can be
found on the BJA Calendar of Events.
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| DOES
JUDO GET YOU FIT? Judo is an ideal form
of physical education. The beginner concentrates on getting
the technique right, and during this process inevitably
improves general fitness. The bonus is stamina improvement,
which equips on better for the rigors of day-to-day life.
When asked about the extraordinary fitness he displayed
on winning the British and European "Superstars"
titles Brian Jacks attributed it all to his former Judo
training.
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IS
JUDO THE COMPLETE SELF-DEFENCE? There is
no complete self-defence and it is foolish to make such
claims. However, because of its close contact Judo helps
to develop a keen awareness of danger. It offers the best
self-defence training at close quarters than any other sport.
The British Judo Association has specially trained self-defence
instructors, (known as BJA Personal Safety Advisors), who
run registered courses. For more details of self-defence
in your area contact the BJA head office.
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DO
WOMEN DO JUDO? They most certainly do. At
the present time we have Kate Howey the Sydney Olympic Silver
medallist, (Kate also won an Olympic Bronze in Barcelona)
and Karina Bryant Senior European Champion, Double Junior
World & Junior European Champion, Georgina Singleton
Senior former European & current Commonwealth Champion,
to name just a few.
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DO
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES DO JUDO? The British
Judo Association Inclusion Commission has adopted the motto
Judo for All and they work tirelessly to ensure that the
Sport is open and accessible to players with a wide variety
of disabilities. Because of the close contact involved in
Judo it is the ideal Sport for blind or visually impaired
players. Simon Jackson MBE is the Association’s most decorated
Athlete with Three Paralympic Gold medals, Three World titles
and Seven European Championship wins under his belt.
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