Judo Suits

Are you thinking about adding a few judo sessions to your training schedules? Good idea by all means, as there is hardly a grappling martial art that can stand up to judo. That said, remember that judo is an art in itself, and there are certain principles and traditions that you need to uphold while performing it. One such essential thing is the judo uniform. The judo suit or a judogi is quite different from others in terms of cuts and design.

Judogis or judo sports suits are somewhat similar to karate uniforms as both of them have the same origin. Moreover, judo suits are one of the first modern martial arts training uniforms. Over the years, the shape, size and fit of the uniform have evolved to a great extent. The sleeves and pants have been lengthy, and the material and fit have changed. Also, the traditional unbleached cotton material has turned to white, and blue judogis have become available. Nevertheless, the uniform is still close to that used 100 years ago. Usually, a judo suit comprises three different parts: a heavy jacket, lighter canvas pants and a cotton belt. Due to the nature of the practice, they usually come in denser stitches and double layer knee patches to provide durability.

Judo suits – All you need to know!

Japanese judo kimono, also known as the judogi, is the traditional uniform that judokas (judo practitioners) wear. For judo competitions, the judokas must wear the judo suit according to the IJF rules of judo. These rules help prevent the judoka from gaining an advantage by wearing an improperly sized judo suit, usually smaller or bigger. A referee can disqualify a Judo competitor for their kimono for not obeying the size requirements. The referee may also check your uniform by using an official measuring device called the Sokuteiki. This is the reason that you need to be well aware of the rules and regulations. You also need to understand the technique to wear these judo suits to master this art.

The names of different parts of a judo uniform

Each part of the judo suit has a name. This often precedes a technique name. Therefore, if you are an ardent learner of judo, then you must memorise them. There are two names given to the collar area, namely, the collar rear – for the backside of the collar and the collar side for the front. The lapel is usually the name given to the area of the neckline, and they are generally thick. You can divide the sleeves into sleeve rear, mid-sleeve and sleeve opening. There is also a belt that helps hold your upper jacket in place. The belt usually has a front and a rear side. They typically come in different colours and are assigned according to their rank. For example, there is a black belt for the 1st-5th degree, red and white for the 6th-8th degree and read alone for the 9th degree.

Wearing the judo clothing and tying the belt

Wearing judo clothing has its style and must be followed in detail for maximum performance. To wear the uniform, you must first put on the lighter canvas pants, then the heavier jackets and then, at last, the belt. To tie the belt correctly, follow these steps: First, place the belt at the centre in the front; you should then wrap it around your body with the two ends of the belt crossing at the back. Now, bring the two loose ends to the front and make the first knot/tie. Once you have made the first tie, go for the second one so that the belt’s ends are facing towards the sides. Once you’ve put your knot in place, pull the ends tight so that they will not easily loosen. With all the tugging and pulling, tying the belt is essential.

Understanding the folding technique of a judo suit

Every apparel has a folding technique, and so does this judo suit. You must fold a judo uniform in the following sequence. You need first place the pants on top of the tunic. Once you are done with that, wrap both sides of the tunic towards the inside to cover the pants. You can then fold them in half in the centre and again repeat it to fold in half again. To keep them in place, you can tie the folded uniform with the belt to secure it. This always ensures that your uniform stays neatly folded. Moreover, they ease your job of unfolding the outfit when you need to use it the next time. Also, this method of folding allows for secure storage. Moreover, it helps you to maintain your uniforms in good condition for a longer period.

Features of judo suit that give you advantage

Certain fundamental features give a judo practitioner a tactical advantage. For example, the weight of the judo suit determines how easy it is to grip, and it can also decide on how many extra pounds you need to cut down on. A lighter Gi is easier to grip. Apart from this, the fit is also of prime importance, especially when you are wearing the judo suit for competitions. Usually, it is suggested to get the tightest fit for competitions; this helps in presenting the fewest possible grips to your opponents. Other factors, such as lapel thickness, also play a vital role in creating that perfect judo uniform. This is because if the lapel is too thin, it might probably cut into your neck, causing discomfort and allowing easier choke setups. Also, the softness of the uniform matters to a great extent.