Judo Two "judoka" in action at a Special Olympics Netherlands competition. [Photo © Inge Hondebrink, used with permission, all rights reserved] Judo is a sport demanding physical skills and mental discipline. It originated in Japan as a derivative of martial arts used by the samurai and feudal warrior class. By gripping the judo uniform or judogi, individuals use the forces of balance, power and movement to attempt to subdue each other. Because several techniques (e.g., sacrificial throws, arm-locks) are not allowed in Special Olympics practice and competition, judo is a safe sport for eligible athletes. In addition, in order to offer this sport, a Special Olympics Program coach must have current National Governing Body (NGB) certification. The mat is carefully watched by referees during the judo competition at the 2005 Special Olympics Great Britain Summer Games. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Great Britain] Roy Court, Special Olympics Technical Advisor for judo, has been organizing judo competitions for people with intellectual disabilities for more than 25 years and notes that many parents have told him about the dramatic change in behavior in their children once they began Special Olympics judo training. A hallmark of the sport is learning to channel aggression in a controlled and disciplined manner. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, weight class, age and gender. Judo Facts Judo was first organized as a demonstration sport in 2000 at the Special Olympics European Games in Groningen, the Netherlands. Judo was a demonstration sport at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, and will be contested as an official sport at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. The first regional Special Olympics judo tournament was held 29-31 January 2005 in Tongerlo, Belgium. Special Olympics judo is based on the principle of the founder of Kodokan Judo, Jigoro Kano (1860-1938): jita kyoei, commonly translated as "mutual benefit and welfare." Judo Events There is only one official event in the sport of judo — individual judo contest. Athletes choose to start in either a "tachi-waza" (standing start) or "ne-waza" (kneeling position, or sitting next to each other, both with their hands in basic "kumi-kata" (grip-position) and the legs stretched forward. Related Links: International Judo Federation