Judo is a Japanese martial art and sport that emphasizes throws and grappling techniques. It was developed in the late 19th century by Jigoro Kano. Judo translates to "gentle way," reflecting its principle of using an opponent's force and balance against them. Competitors aim to throw their opponent to the ground or control them on the mat. Judo also includes ground fighting and submissions. It became an Olympic sport in 1964.

Judo's history traces back to the late 19th century in Japan, where Jigoro Kano developed it as a martial art and educational system. Kano, influenced by traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu, sought to create a more practical and modern martial art emphasizing effectiveness and personal development.

In 1882, Kano founded the Kodokan, a judo school in Tokyo, to teach his system. He refined techniques, focusing on throws and groundwork while removing more dangerous techniques from traditional jiu-jitsu. Judo's philosophy stressed the principle of maximum efficiency with minimum effort.

Judo gained popularity in Japan and internationally, and by the 1960s, it had become an Olympic sport. The International Judo Federation (IJF) was established in 1951 to govern the sport globally. Today, Judo continues to be practiced worldwide as both a martial art and a competitive sport.