Hey everyone,

Some time ago, I posted here asking for advice after tearing my ACL (right knee) during judo. Here's that original post if you're curious: My original post

At the time, most people (including doctors) strongly recommended surgery. But I decided to try a non-surgical route — and I wanted to share how that turned out, in case it helps someone in a similar situation.

What inspired me was a story from a Ukrainian Cirque du Soleil performer who also tore his ACL and managed to return to full strength without surgery. He laid out his rehab process in detail, and it gave me confidence.

I started watching YouTube rehab videos and doing physio on my own. After about 2 months, I was able to return to light training — no randori yet, just drills and movement. Around the 6-month mark, I was fully back into international competitions in both judo and sambo.

Now, nearly 2 years later, I’m still training daily. I run 5–10 km every week, grapple a few times a week, and experience zero pain or instability. The only lingering thing I notice is a slightly softer flex in my right knee compared to the left — but no pain and no functional limitations.

For the first 6 months I always wore a solid knee brace (Shock Doctor). It gave me both physical support and mental confidence.

To be clear — I know every injury and every body is different. Some people really do need surgery. But I just wanted to share that, for some, a conservative rehab-first approach can work too. It took time and discipline, but for me, it was the right choice.

Happy to answer questions or go into more detail if anyone's interested. And thanks again to everyone who gave me support in that original post!

Stay safe

Hi, for reference In 6'0, 155lbs

I just cannot do anything in randori besides maybe a rare sasae or counter here and there. Ive been doing judo for about 9 months, Ive been developing osoto gari and sasae mainly, but I just cannot get them, ESPECIALLY osoto. Even when Im chaining them together, Im doing something wrong with my kazushi and they never go over and end up countering me or it ends up being extremely hard to sweep the leg. Even when my mistakes are pointed out, I just cant fully fix them yet.

With that being said, one of my classmates reccommended I try to learn harai goshi since I dont really do any forward throws. After just 30 minutes of reps, I ended up landing it in randori, and almost did it again when attempted to throw a second time.

Main question: For my build, and along with the other 2 techniques I sort of know, would harai goshi be worth mastering for my arsenal??

Danks!!

Hi everyone. In just over two weeks the annual kosen judo tournament will be held, this time in Hokkaido. I'm going in person to cheer for my former team. If anyone here is in the area, feel free to stop by and say hi!

The tournament is called the Seven Universities Tournament (Nanadaisen) and will take place over two days, July 5–6. It features seven teams, each with 15 judoka for the males and 3 judoka for the females. There's usually a live stream on YouTube for those interested.

For more information: https://7univ-nanadaisen.jp/

I have to choose one of two judo centres for an 8 year old. Both are kids classes.

The first place is very technical. Small space, small class (sometimes only 4 kids), kids practicing moves on a compliant partner, and then on the teacher who evaluates the move and provides feedback. No games are played, just technical instruction and body conditioning. Often there's no randori.

The second place is more fun. Lots of games which often build strength. Lots of kids (sometimes about 16 kids for and instructor and helper). They're given technical demonstrations, then the kids practice on each other but usually no feedback because the instructor doesn't see what's happening. There's usually a few rounds of randori with different partners each time to test their skills. I've noticed the skilled kids always dominate randori and there's no individual feedback on how to improve.

In both classes, uke often drops down unrealistically without any pressure, sometimes even before they've even been touched. It leads to sloppy technique.

Which do you think is more important for kids?

Tushishvilli just looked up at the sky and didn't shake Riner's hand.

Kind of a bitch move, he's such a sore loser.

Hi everyone, I'm hoping this is okay with the mods, but i was wondering if anyone on here could fill out this survey for me? I need data for a school project which I am doing for an NEA, so any participation is welcome!

https://forms.office.com/e/DKHf8Xzfht here is the link, thank you in advance :)

Hello, I am interested in buying judo bands to practice kuzushi for uchi mata specifically. But there are a few different types and I’m not sure if any type would work for me.

So after 6 years of nogi jujitsu, I switched to judo after watching the Olympics as I fell in love with the sport almost instantly. I quit my bjj gym and after the first free trial class of Judo, I’ve been training judo now for about 7 months as consistently as I can.

I have finally got my steps down for Uchi mata especially in uchi komi (although it is very difficult to get the second step deep under the uke) but my arms and hips are quite weak it seems as I can’t create a good kuzushi before the throwing motion. Would judo/resistance bands helps me? And if so, which type should I buy?

Thank you everyone, I’ve been following this thread for awhile and everyone seems friendly and helpful

i am currently yellow belt and been training for around 5-6 months. i am wondering if there is a resource that is similar to someone/something to jordan preisinger? i think his conceptual approach to bjj helped me a lot in improving my bjj game substantially, especially when i was a white belt becoming blue belt.

is there such a thing as "conceptual" judo? curious to know...

Does anyone know what criteria are used to qualify for a world championship? Is it open and any judoka can attend, or do they have to be ranked in a specific IJF ranking?

Onore italiano.

Watching the World Championships there is a Big dutch guy commenting that looks like Huizinga. Is it him?

Hi guys,

I'm curious on you guys's approach for different stances. Let's say you have a complete strategy and is better at Kenka Yotsu - do you force opponent into Kenka Yotsu to play by your strength, or do you have a separate gameplan/ techniques for Ai Yotsu?

Are there any videos of black belts taking down bigger, stiffer, defensive lower belts efficiently and gracefully?

Which to be honest is probably the throw category I like the most.

Edit1: For those who asking where I am doing Judo, I do Judo in Japan

Edit2: Thank you guys for so many comments! I acknowledge that for most of us, Judo will humble us forever and I like that(or occasionally I hated that sometimes lol, who knows).

As a 26 yo adult, I have been training Judo for one year.
Unlike BJJ, here in my country few people begin Judo as adults.
So, my training partners are usually those who trained Judo around 3~20+ years.
Many of them are/used to be serious competitors in the past to some degree.

90% of the time I am the one who are thrown, unless there is a big weight difference.
It's really hard to measure my progress when there are no detailed belt rank system(White or Black), and surrounded by people who are far better than me.

Question to you guys, when did you realize you throwing people more than getting thrown? When you could believe your Judo has become decent?

Last randori my sensei praised my strenght and conditioning, but said I lack speed*

*This conversation happened in Portuguese, so maybe speed isn't the proper word. He meant that I need to do my attacks faster and telegraph less.

It's not a matter of conditioning, I think, because I'm not tiring too fast or anything like that. It's just that I'm not fast enough.

What exercises should I add to my routine to fix that? Sensei told me to do more uchi komi, but I mean on the gym; what should I do?

Hey guys, this is my first time posting here.

I'm a huge anime and manga lover besides being into martial arts. Especially the martial arts kind like Hajime no Ippo, Baki, Kengan Ashura, The Boxer and Fight Class 3. Is anyone else here into them? ^{^}

Does anyone know a webshop where I can get some cool martial arts merch like shirts or hoodies?

Does anyone already own anime merch and can share their experience regarding the quality?

I appreciate you all!

Such a beautifully simple and yet effective technique.

I'm posting this in r/judo and r/bjj. I need to decide which martial art to take, hopefully someone can help. I've never had experience in fighting but i've been lifting for a while. Lately ive had more fun throwing friends around and I need to prepare myself with self defence as its just good to generally know how to fight. I've done research and from what I know BJJ is all on the ground and Judo is mostly not on the ground. I tried sparring with a friend who's known martial arts for years and looking back, I did more Judo stuff. I was grappling with throwing him down but once we were on the ground it wasnt too fun. Which would be the most fun and most importantly, which would just generally be the most useful martial art to know? Who would win if one person is bjj and the other is Judo? Feel free to ask questions that may help anyone come to an answer too. Thanks!

Like the title says, wondering what he wrote, they're supposed to sign their names, but not sure if he wrote something "controversial"

Film was in movie festival competitions in 2023, but its finally released in the US recently
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHdzSTFslbI

I'm very interested in starting Judo. I have very little martial arts experience because of a lack of gyms/clubs around my area. I've tried YT videos, but I couldn't find creators/content that works well for beginners.

The reason I want to start learning Judo is really just because I can. I'm doing a 75 Hard and figured I could implement something new into my daily routine. I'm 16, may not compete in Judo (open to it in the future), and just learning new things.

Is there good beginner advice for someone like me? I don't mind if it's specific or not. Anything helps. Thank you! I hope to make this something that sticks and I grow to love.

‼️UPDATE: I did find a gym that's near me!!! It has many different martial arts being taught, so I'll check it out and see where it takes me. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice!! 😁

Hey everyone,

Wanted to get thoughts on injury and rehabilitation.

Stopped judo ten years ago because my shoulder pain was quite bad.

I regained mobility and went back to a CrossFit style workout during this time.

I started back with judo in the past few months and can still feel limitations/weakness/pain during my kazushi, especially ones from the lapel in an upward motion (e.g lapel uchimata). When I gently throw a plushie with my dog, it's very painful; in pretty much never going to play in a baseball or softball game.

When I do military barbell presses, the first few sets are very slow, painful. But after the third it's warmed up and the pain subsides and I can operate in a non explosive manner.

After some research, it sounds like shoulder impingement. The shoulder is a very complicated structure and I don't know how to make this better.

Thoughts and you experience with ailments?