Olympic History of Judo: 2024 Paris on the Horizon

Judo is a popular martial art discipline and an Olympic sport, reflecting the spirit of its samurai roots. The sport focuses on respect, discipline, and energy efficiency, with its athletes employing immense mental strength and unique techniques.

While contested in various places worldwide throughout the year, Judo is the kind of sport that many only follow on the grandest stage. As such, the Judo Olympic event attracts huge attention worldwide with every edition. There are even those who take up Judo as a hobby after watching talented Judokas take to the mat on the international stage, while others use the best betting sites to enhance their excitement for the Olympic games.

With the Paris 2024 games on the horizon, let’s take a look at Judo’s history on the international stage and what you can expect from the upcoming Olympic event.

When did Judo become an Olympic sport?

Tracing its origin to the ancient Japanese martial arts traditions, Judo was first contested on the Olympic stage in 1964, hosted in Tokyo. The sport later earned a permanent sport in the Olympics in 1972. Later, women’s Judo became a medal event in 1992.

Which country has won the most Judo Olympic medals?

The birthplace of Judo, Japan dominates the Olympic medal table. The Land of the Rising Sun has won 48 gold medals and a total of 96 medals overall, making it the most revered country in the sport. France comes in second in both categories with 16 gold medals and a total of 57 medals.

Which athlete has won the most Judo Olympic medals?

Japan’s Ryoko Tani and French Judoka Teddy Riner are currently tied with five Olympic Judo medals each. Ryoko has claimed two gold, one bronze, and two silver medals, while Teddy has three gold and two bronze medals. Teddy is also tied with Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura for the most gold medals at three.

Tokyo 2020: A trip down Olympic Judo memory lane

During the last Olympic games, Judo returned to its roots for the Tokyo Games that took place in 2021 due to lockdown restrictions in 2020. Unsurprisingly, Japanese Judokas dominated the medals table, winning an Olympic record of nine gold medals.

As part of the historic judo Olympic event, Uta Abe and Hifumi Abe became the first sibling (brother-sister) duo to win gold medals on the international stage. Even better, these Japanese Judokas achieved this incredible feat on the same day, with minutes apart from each other.

The 2020 Tokyo Games also introduced the mixed team event, where Judo star Teddy Riner led France to the Gold medal after defeating Japan.

What to expect from the 2024 Paris Olympic

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will feature various weight classes, which will fuel the excitement and attraction towards the sport. These weight classes include:

•  Women: -48 kg, -52 kg, -57 kg, -63kg, -70 kg, -78kg, +78 kg

•  Men: -60 kg, -66 kg, -73 kg, -81 kg, -90 kg, -100 kg, +100 kg

• Mixed Team

Every Olympic Judo match will last for four minutes and there will be two types of scores awarded:

• An ‘Ippon – Awarded for throwing the opponent on the mat or keeping the opponent pinned on the mat for 20+ seconds.

• A ‘waza-ari – Given for a throw that’s not as clean as the ippon or after pinning the opponent on the mat for 10-20 seconds.