Since making their debut in judo, women have not only gained ground in a sport traditionally dominated by men, but have also raised the level of competitiveness in the sport. Today, women's judo is recognized for the quality of its athletes, who compete in major championships and win medals around the world.

What is judo?

Judo is a martial art of Japanese origin that combines technique, discipline and physical fitness. In this sport, athletes compete using a series of blows, immobilizations and projections to knock down their opponent, avoiding excessive force.

More than just a sport, judo can be practiced by people of all ages and genders and also promotes values such as self-control, courage and perseverance.

Judo rules

In judo, the athlete wins the fight by achieving an ippon or two wazaris (equivalent to an ippon), the main scores in the sport:

Wazari: This occurs when the judoka lands on his back on the mat, but without the necessary speed and strength to be considered an ippon. Each wazari is worth half a point; by scoring two wazaris, the athlete is declared the winner of the fight. Wazari can also be obtained by immobilization, if the athlete manages to keep their opponent pinned to the mat for a period of 10 to 19 seconds.

Ippon: When the competitor falls backwards onto the mat with perfection, strength and control, which ends the fight immediately. This blow is considered the "knockout" of judo, as it guarantees instant victory.

Judo fights last four minutes in the qualifying rounds and five minutes in the men's semi-finals and finals. For women, the duration is four minutes in all rounds. However, if a match ends in a draw, it can be extended by an additional"Golden Score" period, where the first competitor to score a point wins or the first to receive a penalty loses the match.

History of judo

Judo emerged in 1882, when master Jigoro Kano adapted jiu-jitsu techniques with the aim of creating a fight with blows guided more by intelligence than force.

For a long time, Kano studied the ancient forms of self-defense and, by seeking scientific explanations for the blows, based on laws of dynamics, action and reaction, he selected and classified the best practices of jiu-jitsu into a new style that he called judo - or "the gentle way".

It wasn't until 1882 that the master founded the Kodokan Institute, where he consolidated the teaching of judo as a sport and developed a philosophy based on the concept of ippon-shobu (fighting for the perfect point) and a moral code. Thus, he aimed for the practice of judo to promote the integrated strengthening of body, mind and spirit.

Reflecting the cultural norms of the time, judo was initially practiced exclusively by men. However, in 1893, Kano began to break down these barriers by teaching judo to his wife and some of her friends. In 1923, the Kodokan Institute began offering regular classes for women. In 1932, Ozaki Katsuko became the first woman to receive a black belt in the sport - an important milestone that symbolized the recognition of women's achievements in the sport.

Although judo was included in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for male athletes, it was not included in the Olympic program in 1968 and only returned for the 1972 Games in Munich. Women, on the other hand, only took part in the Games in 1992, in Barcelona.

Judo in Brazil: women's challenge on the mats

Judo arrived in Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century, brought by Japanese immigrants, but its development among women faced major challenges. In 1941, a decree established that sports such as judo and weightlifting were considered "incompatible with the femininity expected of women", which limited opportunities for Brazilian athletes for many years.

Despite these restrictions, women's practice gradually gained ground, and in 1969 the sport was formalized in the country with the creation of the Brazilian Judo Confederation (CBJ). Brazilian judoka began to compete in international events, although they still faced a lack of infrastructure, sponsorship and prejudice.

Brazil's first international highlight came in 1995, when Danielle Zangrando won the first women's gold medal at a World Judo Championship in Tokyo. In 2008, Ketleyn Quadros made history by winning her first Olympic medal, a bronze in Beijing. Four years later, Sarah Menezes became the first Brazilian to win Olympic gold in the sport, in London.

Since then, women's judo in Brazil has received more support, both in terms of infrastructure and sponsorship, although there are still challenges. Today, the country continues to have big names in competitions, inspiring more and more women to take to the mats and pursue their own dreams of medals and victories.

Photo credit: Brazilian Judo Confederation

Great Brazilian female judo athletes

Since judo was consolidated in the country, several women have marked the history of the sport, such as:

Ketleyn Quadros: First Brazilian judoka to win an Olympic medal, with bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008.

Sarah Menezes: The first Brazilian woman to win Olympic gold in judo at the London Games in 2012.

Mayra Aguiar: One of Brazil's most successful judoka, with two Olympic bronze medals (2012 and 2016) and several world titles.

Rafaela Silva: Gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Major judo competitions in Brazil and around the world

Brazilian Judo Championship
The main national competition organized by the CBJ. It brings together the best judo players in the country and serves as a selection for international tournaments, standing out as an important event for the development of the sport in Brazil.

World Judo Championships
Organized by the International Judo Federation (IJF), this is the most prestigious global competition in judo. Held annually, except in Olympic years, it brings together the best athletes in the world in search of the title of world champion in their respective categories.

Olympic Games
Held every four years, these are the pinnacle of international judo. Brazilian judoka such as Sarah Menezes and Rafaela Silva have already won medals in the competition, making a significant presence for Brazil.

Judo Grand Prix
Part of the World Judo Circuit, the Grand Prix is a series of international competitions where athletes accumulate points in the world ranking. These competitions are held in different countries, providing judoka with experience and visibility.

Pan American Judo Championships
Organized by the Pan American Judo Union (UPJ), this championship brings together athletes from all over the Americas. It is a leading competition on the continent and important for qualifying judoka for the World Championships and the Pan American Games.

Neoenergia's support for judo

Believing in the potential of women and committed to promoting gender equality in sports, Neoenergia supports women in various disciplines and encourages their champion trajectories. The company announced the arrival of Bia Souza, an Olympic champion representing Brazilian women's judo, to Team Neoenergia.