Judo Origins

Judo is a popular martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan in the late 19th century. It is now practiced by millions of people around the world and is an Olympic sport.

Judo is based on the principles of maximum efficiency and minimum effort, and it emphasizes the use of throws, pins, joint locks, and chokes to subdue an opponent. While the sport is highly technical and requires a lot of skill and practice, some throws have become more popular than others, and their popularity can vary based on individual preference, competition strategies, and regional differences.

Top 10 Judo Countries

The top 10 judo countries, based on their historical and current performances, are Japan, France, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, Georgia, Mongolia, and Cuba. While these countries have produced some of the best judoka (judo practitioners) in the world, it’s important to note that the popularity of throws can vary among individual competitors within each country, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to which throws are the most effective.

Top Judo Throws by Country

Judo is a highly technical sport with a variety of throws, and the popularity of throws can vary based on factors such as individual preference, competition strategies, and regional differences.

That being said, here is a list of some of the most commonly used throws by the top 10 judo countries based on their historical and current performances.

Japan:

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)
• Harai Goshi (sweeping hip throw)

France

• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)
• O Uchi Gari (major inner reap)
• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)

South Korea

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• O Soto Gari (major outer reap)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)

Brazil

• O Soto Gari (major outer reap)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)
• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)

Russia:

• Harai Goshi (sweeping hip throw)
• O Soto Gari (major outer reap)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)

Germany

• O Uchi Gari (major inner reap)
• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)

Netherlands

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)
• O Uchi Gari (major inner reap)

Georgia

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw)
• Harai Goshi (sweeping hip throw)

Mongolia

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• O Uchi Gari (major inner reap)
• Harai Goshi (sweeping hip throw)

Cuba

• Seoi Nage (shoulder throw)
• O Uchi Gari (major inner reap)
• O Soto Gari (major outer reap)

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the popularity of throws can vary among individual competitors within each country.

Want to research more?

The International Judo Federation (IJF), which is the governing body for international judo, provides a wealth of information on the sport, including history, rules, rankings, and news. The IJF website (www.ijf.org) can be a valuable resource for those seeking reliable information about judo.