Judo entered the Olympic scene in 1964, initially for men only. And it returned in 1972 and has been a platform for global judo excellence ever since, including women's competition from 1992, here are some things to know about it.
1
Jigoro Kano, dreamt of judo becoming an international sport, this dream came true in 1964 when Judo debuted at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
2
Initially, only male judoka competed in the Olympics, Weight classes were established for these competitions.
3
Judo was surprisingly excluded from the 1968 Olympics, but judoka rallied, and it returned for good in 1972.
4
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics saw Japanese dominance, with all gold medals except one going to Japanese judoka.
5
Women's judo arrived on the Olympic scene in 1988 as a demonstration sport in Seoul & became a medal event in 1992.
6
Judo has been a constant presence at the Summer Olympics, showcasing the power and skill of judoka worldwide.
7
Judo's inclusion in the Olympics reflects its transformation from a Japanese martial art to a respected and competitive global sport.