Question

Explain about the emergence of Judo in India.

Answer 1

1. Early introduction: In 1905, Rabindranath Tagore started a Judo training centre at Visva Bharati University. At the suggestion of Okakura Kakuzo, a Judo expert from Japan was invited to India to teach the art.
2. National organisation: The Judo Federation of India (JFI) was formed in 1965, supporting the sport’s steady growth. The International Judo Federation (IJF) governs Judo worldwide.
3. National championship: The first National Judo Championship was held in Hyderabad in 1966.
4. International progress: Judo became part of the Asian Games at Seoul in 1986. India won four bronze medals there, a significant milestone for the national team.
5. Further achievements: Indian Judoka have since competed at international events, including the Olympic Games, and several have received the Arjuna Award. In 2010, Thoudam Kalpana Devi of Manipur became the first Indian to finish among the top three at the Judo World Cup in Tashkent.