Judo, or “gentle way”, was founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882, who as a youth began practicing the samurai fighting art of jujutsu or “gentle art” as a way to strengthen his body.
Today, judo is an Olympic sport being practiced in over 200 countries, with practitioners (known as judokas) from all walks of life proudly carrying on the tradition and stepping onto the mat to forge their mind, body, and spirit.