Out of the West: the History of the Development of Women’s Judo in the West

Abstract

Women's judo, introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympics and officially included in 1992, has roots tracing back to the 1890’s when Jigoro Kano, judo's founder, began teaching women in Tokyo. Using a combination of primary, biographical, and scholarly sources, this paper considers three key elements of the development of women’s judo in the global ‘West’. The initial dissemination of judo outside of Japan and the cultural engagement with the Japanese fighting arts; the challenge for women to create parity with men in competition through the second half of the twentieth century; and the determination for equity in international governance. Early twentieth-century female pioneers from the global ‘West’ contributed significantly to the sport’s expansion and visibility. In America, early engagement aligned with a cultural interest in martial arts for women's fitness. Meanwhile, European and Australian women were spreading judo’s appeal and promoting female empowerment through self-defence around the world. Across continents, women used judo to challenge gender norms and advocate for strength and independence. This cultural movement continued into the 1920’s and beyond, with women instructors and students actively promoting judo’s benefits actively, paving the way for later innovators to extend its global reach, whilst advocating opportunities for women. Despite restrictive policies through the mid-twentieth century, notable female judoka continued to break barriers, fostering judo’s growth across Europe and beyond. The inclusion of women’s judo as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympics, marked a milestone, giving a platform to Western judoka and later showcasing the dominance of athletes from Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Cuba and France. Female leaders now help to shape judo’s future, championing gender equity and the values of judo.