History of Judo

Judo means "the Gentle Way", is a Japanese martial art based upon the ancient techniques of Jujitsu. The origins of Judo start way back in the Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644) where a form of wrestling was practised in China. The Japanese modified this art adding speed and agility to the techniques to create Jujitsu "The Gentle Art". This was practised predominantly by 19th Centry Samurai warriors, adding unarmed combat skills to thier armed combat abilities. Contests were very rare and were decided by the death or cripling of one contestant.

In the early 1880's, Professor Jigoro Kano, a teacher from Tokyo who had studied Ju-Jitsu as a young man, was confused when masters of various schools taught similar techniques in slightly different styles. Dr. Kano searched for a common principle and identified it as the efficient use of mental and physical energy. Dr Kano was concerned with the many injuries suffered by students learning Jujitsu and wishes to emphasize its heathful benefits. As he wrote, "Jujitsu employed dangerous practices such as throwing by quite incorrect methods or by roughly applying torsion to the limbs". Dr. Kano filtered out the more hazardous techniques with those of other arts, like Karate and Sumo, and added some methods of his own to create his own system and code of conduct for students to follow, called Judo.

Hence Dr. Kano transformed the practise of Jujitsu (Ju = flexible, yeilding) from a fighting art ("Jitsu") to a way or path ("Do"). In 1882 Dr. Kano founded the Kodokan, literally "The School for studying the Way" in Tokyo to teach his theories. Gradually, Judo gained appeal. Between the two World Wars, the military often trained in Judo because it installed disipline in the men. Although some Westerners travelled to Japan during this time, Japanese masters are the most responsible for spreading Judo around the world. After World War II, Judo was introduced to America. The International Judo Federation was formed in 1951 in Seoul, South Korea (which is currently Judo's governing body). By 1964, Judo had gained enough appeal to become an official sport and the first martial arts to be included in the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Olympic Sport

Judo made its Olympic debut, for men, in Tokyo in 1964 with three specific weight catagories, plus an open catagory for competitors of any weight. After missing Mexico City 1968, the sport returned permanently to the Olympic program in Munich in 1972. Womens Judo became an Olympic sport at Barcelona 1992, after being a demonstration event at Seoul in 1988.
Australia has competed in every Olympic Judo competition. In the women's judo demonstration event at Seoul 1988, Australia's Suzanne Williams won a gold medal. Australian Ted Boronovskis won a bronze medal in the open category at Tokyo 1964 and Maria Pekli matched that achievement in the women's 57 kilogram catergory at Sydney 2000.

Self Defence

As a self defence:
Judo consists of throwing and grappling techniques to suit all shapes and sizes. It is a real fighting sport where you actually come to grips with your opponent, specialising in close-in fighting - just what you need fir effective self defence. It emphasises free-form practise rather than rigid, repedative routines, and this freedom of expression provides interest, enjoyment and a challenge for any tactitian.
The benifits of Judo are numerous. Apart from having a lot of fun and meeting people, the "Judoka" develops confidence, coordination and balance, falling skills, efficiency of movement and self defence skills. It is the perfect activity for improving one's physical fitness, as training in Judo improves aerobic capacity, flexability and strength, and is an excellent activity to compliment other sports.

Mixed Martial Arts:
Judo is used in many different martial arts as the foundation to improving ones ability and style. For mixed martial artists, a proper exercise, fitness program is very important. But MMA requires different workouts than bodybuilding. In fact training for combat, whether you're a grappler, Muay Thai fighter, Wrestler, Boxer or other martial arts practitioner, is different than training for any other sport in the world, Judo provides the foundation.

X-Training:
If you don't want to be a professional fighter, you can still exercise like one. The same attributes that a fighter wants in the ring like strength, endurance, cardio and flexibility are exactly what most people want from thier workouts. So whether you are expecting to compete in the sports of mixed martial arts or any other style of combat, mixed martial arts workouts will improve your physical conditioning in a very useable and functional way.

Scorpion Judo currently provides individual programs to enhance and compliment different sporting programs; Australian Rules Footbal, Soccer, Rugby. We provide team building programs and motivational speeches.
Private lessons are available on application.

Martial Arts Boot-Camps:
Scorpion Judo will be providing a six week martial arts designed boot camp in the warmer months. Give us a ring to find out more about this fantastic new method of looking good through out summer.