Judo was originally created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy in Japan. It is generally categorized as a modern martial art, which later evolved into a combat and Olympic sport. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the objective is to either throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke.

Judo was the first Asian martial art to be included in the Olympic program. Tokyo 1964, Judo was part of the games for the first time but was missing in the subsequent games in Mexico City. Since Munich 1972 Judo is an integral part of the Olympic program. By 2020, the Olympics will return to Tokyo.