Judo To Grow In Popularity Post-Olympics

Judo is one of the oldest and most popular forms of martial arts. Since being created in the late 1800s, the martial art, which originates from Japan, has been learned, performed and competed in all around the globe. And it is set to receive a significant boost in popularity and participation this summer.

2024 is the year that the next Olympic Games will take place, with the global event running from July 26 until August 11. Paris will host the Games, and, of course, judo will be one of the many events that take place. The Olympic Games are iconic, with millions tuning in around the world to watch, which is why when you check out any leading betting site, you will see dedicated categories for events such as judo, and all of this combines in a fantastic way to get eyes on the martial art.

It's often been the case that following an Olympic Games, the popularity and participation where judo is concerned has skyrocketed. This was evidenced following the 2016 Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In England alone, record participation figures of circa 35,800 were registered, and there’s a chance the same will happen again following this year’s Olympics. 2022 saw the biggest number of participants since the 35,800 registered in 2017, with around 27,000 taking part in judo, so there’s something to build off, and there’s nothing like the Olympics to provide that shot in the arm.

Judo, like many martial arts, comes not only with the opportunity for participants to improve physically but mentally and emotionally, too, which is why it remains a popular choice for many. On the physical front, strength and flexibility should improve, as well as cardiovascular health overall. Mentally, it’s possible to feel more confident and resilient, while judo should also help to control emotions and have a better outlook on life. Plus, there are the community and social impacts that are equally as rewarding, if not more so, for some.

The great thing about judo is also the ease of access, with most people being able to find local judo gyms and classes with no problem at all. Nowadays, as well as a Google search listing gyms to check out, said gyms will also have a presence on social media platforms and may even have online communities already set up. This can be the perfect gateway for someone to find the right gym for them, and they will likely also be able to take part in a trial class first before committing a bit more permanently.

The Olympics in Paris will no doubt inspire thousands more to do the above, with seven weight categories each for men and women taking place and one mixed team event. This also proves that judo is a martial art, like the many others out there, for everyone, whether they aim to compete further down the line or are solely focused on improving their physical, mental and emotional capabilities.