Everything here happens in Japanese! 

No matter the level of the competition you’re participating in, everything in judo is announced in Japanese!

Among all the judo terms, some stand out. Since these words are used from the very first classes, your ear quickly gets used to them.

Here’s What You’ll Hear on the Competition Mats:

Hajime : Start

Mate : Stop

Sonomama : Do not move

Yoshi : Continue

Ippon : Victory by ippon

Sore-made : End of the match

Ippon : Immediate victory, full point

Waza-ari : Half-point (two waza-ari = 1 ippon)

Yuko : Recognition of judokas’ efforts in ground combat

Shido : Warning for a minor infraction (Three shido lead to disqualification)

Hansoku-make : Immediate disqualification

Nage-waza : Throwing techniques

Ne-waza : Ground techniques

Osae-komi : Hold-down 

Toketa : Hold-down broken

Shiai : Official competition match

Randori : Free training 

Kata : Technical demonstration (pre-arranged movements)

Now you’re ready to step onto the tatami and understand what’s happening during a match!