How is Judo played as a sport? Know rules, terms & more

The sport of judo is enjoying an unprecedented spotlight in India, with the country’s judokas excelling at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Let’s look at the historical origins, rules, special terms, and more for this dynamic combat sport. The word “judo” literally means “the gentle way”, but the sport is anything but. The fighters utilise pins, chokeholds, joint locks (jujigatame), and other techniques to score points and win bouts. Judo terms and glossaryThe referee gives the commands entirely in Japanese, in line with the sport’s origins.