Balance, mental focus and tactics meet technique, agility and leverage in this frenetic display of explosive throws. The objective — take your opponent down using control, not brute force.  

Judo is martial arts meets chess in motion: throws, holds, jujigatame (arm locks), strangles, balance and reaction — all wrapped into one thrilling contest. 

With its origins in Japan, the word ‘Judo’ translates as ‘gentle way’. While punching, kicking or striking is strictly prohibited, don’t be fooled — there’s no shortage of high-octane action. 

It’s about technique, timing, grip, and the ability to anticipate and adapt.  

At Glasgow 2026, Judo will bring gritty groundwork, spectacular ippons (full-point throws) and sudden-death scoring moments together, as athletes from across the Commonwealth test each other’s mettle. 

How it works: 

There are three ways to score in Judo — an ‘Ippon’ (a full point), which ends the bout instantly, a ‘waza-ari’ (a half point) and a 'Yuko' (quarter point). A person can win by scoring either an 'Ippon', two 'waza-ari' (within the four-minute contest time), or accumulating the greatest number of 'Yuko' across the contest.  

At the end of the four-minute contest, if there is no score or a draw in scores, the contest will continue into Golden Score (sudden death), where the first score wins. 

An Ippon can be awarded by: 

  • Throwing an opponent onto their back with control and power 
  • Pinning an opponent for 20 seconds
  • Forcing a submission through a chokehold or arm lock 

A waza-ari is given for: 

  • A throw that lacks full control or power 
  • A pin lasting under 20 seconds 

A Yuko is given for: 

  • A minor throw that lacks control or power, with the landing position on the side towards the front 
  • A pin, lasting five-nine seconds 

Did you know? 

  • Glasgow 2026 marks the fifth time Judo has featured at the Games; following Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002, Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022. 
  • England is the most successful Commonwealth Games Association across the Games Judo has featured in; winning 55 medals, 33 of which are gold.
  • All terminology used in Judo is in Japanese, in line with the sport’s heritage.
    • To begin the match, the referee calls ‘Hajime!’
    • To pause the contest, they shout ‘Matte!’