Is Judo Dangerous? The Risks and Dangers Of Practicing Judo


Is Judo Dangerous?

For those who may be new to the world of martial arts, you may be wondering about the risks that come with participating in certain sports. While the most common injuries that occur in these kinds of sports aren’t too severe, it’s important to note the risks. But are sports like Judo dangerous? 

It’s important to note that Judo is one of the more dangerous sports when it comes to potential injuries on the mat. While injuries that occur with all forms of martial arts are similar, they are more likely to happen in Judo. 

This does not mean that you should not practice judo. When taught properly serious injuries are not necessarily more common than in many other sports. Japan has gotten a lot of flack in recent years due to the injuries reported in their schools.

This however has a lot to due to the poor practices of the instructors. When done in a safe environment and with a good Sensei your risk of injury drops dramatically. France for example is one of the leading countries in judo but does not have the same amount of injuries.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the risks that come with practicing Judo, the rich history of this sport, and what beginners should know. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, keep on reading. 

History of Judo

To fully understand how Judo is practiced, it’s important to go back and educate yourself on this sport’s rich history. Below, we’ll explore who founded Judo, as well as how this type of martial arts differs from the rest. 

The Founder

Judo was created in 1882 by a man named Kano Jigoro, who started out practicing Ju-jutsu. The early beginnings of Judo were heavily influenced by the teachings and beliefs that Ju-jutsu held. 

Kano felt the need to build a more technical system that resonated with more modern people and their needs. While studying deeply into more classical Ju-jutsu, he became inspired to create a system that only reached others throughout martial arts, but through the mind and spirit.

Belief System

While early teachings of Ju-jutsu speak of maintaining strength and flexibility, Judo was etched into existence by abiding by the belief that you needed physical and mental strength to succeed. Not only did Kano believe that this form of teaching would make students stronger and more disciplined, but he also felt it would contribute to human and social development. 

While Ju-jutsu set out to strengthen the body, Judo sets out to perfect the mind and body while also using your energy correctly. While crafting this new form of martial arts, Kano dropped the ‘Jutsu,’ which means technique, from the word Ju-jutsu, and added the suffix ‘do,’ meaning path.

Thus, Judo was born, and Kano began spreading the world about his new-found teachings that would forever change the world. Kano has since been praised as “the father of Japanese physical education” and spent his life educating and teaching Judo to people worldwide. 

Judo became an official Olympic sport in 1964, and it continues to be practiced and taught in over 200 countries today. To truly appreciate this vast and ever-growing sport, it’s important to understand its history, as well as the belief system it holds. 

Is Judo Dangerous

As we stated above, Judo is one of the more dangerous martial arts practices compared to many others. While the most common injuries within these sports are minor, such as sprains and pulled muscles, more serious injuries have happened within Judo.

It’s important to note that when it comes to young people practicing Judo, safety should be at the top of everyone’s radar, including instructors and coaches. To avoid any risks that may come from practicing Judo, instructors should look out for students’ well-being during both matches and practices.

A good Sensei will take the time to teach their students how to practice judo in the safest way possible. You should learn how to fall and how to protect yourself before you are getting thrown around in class. This way you are less likely to get hurt from a judo throw

After all, the goal of judo is to throw your opponent onto the ground. That said, you are going to take on some risk when practicing judo. You can greatly reduce your risks by learning judo at a reputable dojo with a quality instructor.

Below, we’ll explore how Japan came under fire by exposing its young students to unethical treatment while practicing Judo. 

Judo in Japan

As we stated earlier, Judo is popular amongst many different areas in the world. At the same time, countries such as France and the U.S have not reported the same catastrophic injuries amongst students learning Judo as they have in Japan. 

While concussions have been common, there are no reports in these areas, such as traumatic brain injuries or death, which is important to note. Unfortunately, this is not the case for those in Japan, as they have been common under fire in recent years. 

Why Are There So Many Judo Injuries In Japan

In the past 30 years, Japan has reported over 118 deaths among students participating in Judo under school supervision, with over 300 students ending up permanently disabled. But it’s important to note that the sport itself is not entirely to blame, and it comes down to the lack of ethical coaching practices.

Many of these cases reported coaches pushing certain students too hard, which can become lethal if students have already suffered a head injury and are encouraged by their coaches to keep going. 

While Judo is a very contact-based sport, instructors must prioritize the safety and well-being of their students to stay safe. Once again, it’s important to remember that students can easily stay safe and avoid Judo’s risks if instructors ensure that their students stay safe during both practices and matches. 

Aside from the more serious things that could occur in Judo, more common injuries include sprains and pulled muscles. While more extreme injuries could happen, it’s important to note with the correct approach and training; you’ll likely be able to stay safe on the mat. 

At the end of the day, you are taking a physical risk when getting involved with just about any sport. So there are no guarantees that you will not get injured on the mat, you can take some precautions by selecting a great instructor and dojo.


 

Equipment Needed for Judo

Besides having professional and experienced instructors, to be successful at Judo, students should have the proper gear to keep them safe. Below, we’ll explore what beginners in Judo need to perform at their best. 

Judogi

Thankfully, Judo is a sport that doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment, and all you’ll really need is a complete Gi for both matches and practices. Your Gi should be made up of both a jacket and pants made of a thick, cotton material. 

To properly care for your Gi, it should be thoroughly cleaned after each time you wear it. The last thing you want is to be that person with the smelly Gi at your dojo, so you must clean it regularly to keep both you and your opponents comfortable. 

Your Gi must be comfortable, but at the same time not too flexible. Ensuring this will allow you to perform at your best while executing every technique successfully. 

Judo Belt

Those who participate in Judo wear a belt that signifies their skill level. It is important to note that what these colors represent in Judo can vary depending on the country you’re in. 

The founder of Judo adopted this belt system, and it has since been incorporated into other forms of martial arts as well. While wearing your Judo belt may not be required during practices, it’s essential during matches to communicate to both your opponent and the judges where you rank. 

Optional Safety Equipment

Thankfully, you won’t have to purchase expensive footwear in Judo, seeing how all competitors perform barefoot. There are, however, other pieces of equipment you may want to invest in, such as knee pads, wrist pads, and a mouth guard if they would make you feel more comfortable. Some people will also wear headgear as well to help protect against cauliflower ear

Another piece of equipment you may want to think about investing in is a quality sports bag, as well as a handful of high-quality and comfortable t-shirts you can wear under your Gi. Taking the time to consider what you might need on the mat will help you succeed at Judo in no time.

For a complete checklist of equipment that you might need check out my article: What kind of gear do you need for judo

In Summary

Now you have a better understanding of whether Judo is dangerous or not. While Judo is a more risky form of martial arts compared to others, with the proper training and gear, you should be able to stay safe and protected while on the mat. 

We also went over the history of Judo and the beliefs that are ingrained within this practice. We then listed all the necessary gear you’ll need to be successful within Judo.

Joshua Paul

Joshua Paul is a BJJ purple belt who lives in Austin, Texas. Joshua loves all forms of grappling and when he is off the mats he is likely spending time with his wife and son.

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