History

Judo was established in Japan in 1882 as a modern sport by Professor Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). He modified the traditional martial art techniques, defined jujitsu, into Judo, establishing a system based on an educational and sport mean. Professor Kano was the first Asian to be a member of the IOC and for 30 years he co-operated closely with the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

Judo was used as an activity for developing motor-skills, self-control and independence for people with a disability. It gradually developed into a competitive sport. The first Pan-European Blind Judo Championship and the first International tournament were both held in 1987. Judo is the only Paralympic sport that originated in Asia and has been included in the Paralympic programme since the Seoul 1988 Paralympics.