Every year on October 28th, the global judo community unites to celebrate World Judo Day—an occasion deeply significant to judo fans and practitioners worldwide, as it marks the birthday of Jigoro Kano Shihan, the founder of judo. For 2024, the theme is ‘Wellbeing’, a concept that encompasses a wide range of elements contributing to a person’s overall physical, mental, emotional, and social health.

Wellbeing, in its broadest sense, refers to a person’s overall quality of life and satisfaction. It involves the delicate balance of various health factors, including physical fitness, mental clarity, emotional stability, and social relationships. Wellbeing is more than just the absence of illness—it’s about thriving in every aspect of life.

WELLBEING AND JUDO

Judo, as a sport and discipline, has always been intricately linked with wellbeing. Its practice encourages not only physical development but also mental resilience, emotional control, and social integration. This makes judo an ideal platform to promote wellbeing, and the 2024 theme highlights just how deeply interconnected the sport and the concept of holistic health are.

In the lead-up to World Judo Day, the focus will be on the physical dimension of wellbeing—one of the most immediate benefits of regular judo practice. Physical wellbeing is achieved through self-care that addresses the needs of the body, including physical activity, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and avoiding harmful behaviors.

Judo, with its rigorous physical demands, naturally enhances physical wellbeing. It combines strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination, offering a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle, and sharpens reflexes. The intense physicality of the sport, coupled with the discipline it instills, encourages a lifelong commitment to health and fitness.

To celebrate World Judo Day 2024, the International Judo Federation (IJF) is encouraging local, regional, and international judo communities to engage in activities that promote physical wellbeing. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Judo Fitness Challenges: On World Judo Day, clubs and associations can organize judo-themed fitness challenges that test the endurance, strength, and flexibility of judoka at all levels. For example, participants can compete to see who can perform the most uchi-komi or nage-komi within a set timeframe. These drills not only improve technique but also test stamina and cardiovascular endurance. Strength challenges like press-ups, burpees, and squats can also be integrated into the event, reinforcing the physical benefits of judo practice.
• Nutrition Workshops and Webinars: Physical wellbeing isn’t just about exercise; nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing fitness levels. On World Judo Day, judo clubs can partner with sports nutritionists and health specialists to host workshops or online sessions about the dietary needs of judoka. These workshops can cover topics like optimal nutrition for training, pre-competition meals, and the role of diet in recovery. The aim is to provide judoka with the knowledge they need to fuel their bodies properly for both training and competition.
• Training Programmes for Judoka: Expert coaches can lead sessions focused on the benefits of regular training and how to create personalized programs. These workshops can cover different aspects of judo training, from improving technique to enhancing physical strength and flexibility. Judoka of all levels can benefit from understanding how structured training can help them reach their goals, whether it’s competing at a high level or simply improving overall fitness.
• Health Screenings: In collaboration with healthcare providers, clubs can offer free or discounted health screenings on World Judo Day. These screenings can focus on common health concerns among judoka, such as joint health, cardiovascular fitness, and body mass index (BMI). Regular health assessments help judoka stay on top of their physical condition, ensuring they can train and compete safely.

BETTER INDIVIDUALS, BETTER COMMUNITIES

The theme of ‘Wellbeing’ in 2024 reflects judo’s broader mission of cultivating better individuals and, by extension, better communities. While physical wellbeing is the focus for this year’s celebration, it’s only one aspect of the complete picture. Mental, emotional, and social wellbeing are equally important and will undoubtedly be emphasized in future initiatives.

Jigoro Kano once said that judo is a way of life, not just a sport. This World Judo Day is an opportunity for judoka around the world to embrace that philosophy fully, recognizing that the practice of judo is not just about becoming stronger athletes but also about leading healthier, happier lives.