Judo

In competitive judo, judoka (judo practitioners) aim to throw, pin or force their rival into a submission which is signalled by saying the word "maitta," or by tapping the mat or the opponent at least twice.

Judo is on the programme for the Birmingham 2022 Games. Judo was previously an optional sport for men and women in the Commonwealth Games and therefore did not appear on the Gold Coast but it is now classed as a compulsory sport. It has been included on the programme three times, in Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002, and Glasgow 2014. In Manchester 2002, 25 countries sent athletes to compete.

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Holding techniques include applying pressure to an opponent's neck or manipulating the elbow joint, but thrusts and strikes are only permitted in pre-arranged forms of the sport

After taking to the mat (called the tatami) regulation bouts last four minutes for both males and females.

Competitors wear either blue or white, with the universal judo uniform known as the judogi. Seniority is based on a ranking system, denoted by the colour of a judoka's belt, from white belt for beginners through to a variety of black belts.