JUDO

GABRIELLA Wood’s qualification to the Olympic Games in Tokyo has been fuelled by over five years of travel and training across the globe.

Judo is the Japanese modern martial art that incorporates methods for throwing or taking down opponents. The word judo translates to “the gentle way”. It was founded in Tokyo, Japan by Jigoro Kano around 1880 Kano started rethinking jujitsu techniques he learnt. He found that by combining the best techniques of various schools into one system he could create a physical education program that would embody mental and physical skill. In addition, he believed that the techniques could be practiced as a competitive sport if the more dangerous techniques were omitted. In 1882, he took the best throws and grappling techniques of ancient jujitsu, added some of his own, and removed such dangerous techniques as foot and hand strikes.

Kano at the age of 22, presented his new sport--Judo. He called this sport Kodokan Judo. The term Kodokan breaks down into ko (lecture, study, method), do (way or path), and kan (hall or place). Thus it means "a place to study the way." Similarly Judo breaks down into ju (gentle) and do (way or path) or "the gentle way." Judo made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and has been included since.

The International Judo Federation is the governing body for judo and oversees international tournaments. The Trinidad and Tobago Judo Association is the affiliate judo organization in Trinidad and Tobago.

While sport for many is about physical achievement and the ability to inspire others, it also holds the power to change – or even save – a life, in more ways than you can imagine.