Judo Preview
The sport of judo comes full circle at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo as it heads back to not only the country of its birth but also where it made its Olympic debut in 1964. Formerly a male-only sport at the Games, women’s judo was added as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea, before being added to the official Olympic program in 1992. Since the sport’s addition, USA Judo athletes have won 14 medals at the Olympic Games. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Kayla Harrison (78 kg.) successfully defended her 2012 Olympic gold and Travis Stevens (81 kg.) earned silver.
The goal of a judo match is to throw one’s opponent onto his or her back, finishing with an arm lock, stranglehold or immobilization on the floor. Various moves are assigned different point values. A contest can be won immediately if a competitor scores “ippon,” the maximum 10 points, by throwing the adversary largely on their back with strength and speed and holding them immobile on the floor for 25 seconds. Otherwise, points are given for lesser moves — such as “wazari,” in which the opponent is taken down and held immobile for at least 15 seconds, but less than 20. Two wazari are equal to one ippon. The third technique is the “yuko,” which occurs when the rival falls on his or her side or is held down for at least 10 seconds, but less than 15. The judoka with the most points at the end of a five-minute match is the winner.
Updated on July 11, 2021. For more information, contact the sport press officer here.