33 judo quiz questions with answers, from Jigoro Kano and the belt ranks to throws, scores and Olympic history. Reveal each answer, or read the key at the end.
Each question comes with three options and holds the correct one behind a button, so you can keep score honestly. If you want the whole set of judo trivia questions and answers in one block, the key below the scoring table lists all 33 in order. The terminology and belt questions make a fair round for a dojo evening, and the easier judo quiz questions near the front work as questions about judo for younger students.
1. Who is the founder of Judo?
- A) Gichin Funakoshi
- B) Jigoro Kano
- C) Morihei Ueshiba
2. In what year was Judo founded?
- A) 1851
- B) 1882
- C) 1921
3. Where was Judo founded?
- A) China
- B) Japan
- C) Korea
4. Which of these is not a Judo belt color?
- A) Blue
- B) Green
- C) Purple
5. What is the name of the traditional Judo uniform?
- A) Dobok
- B) Gi
- C) Hakama
6. Which of these is the Japanese term for Judo techniques?
- A) Kihon
- B) Kata
- C) Waza
7. What does the word “Judo” mean in Japanese?
- A) The Way of Flexibility
- B) The Art of Peace
- C) The Gentle Way
8. How many weight classes are there in Judo for men?
- A) 5
- B) 7
- C) 10
9. What is the highest rank in Judo?
- A) 9th Dan
- B) 10th Dan
- C) 12th Dan
10. What is the main objective in a Judo match?
- A) Knocking out the opponent
- B) Scoring points by striking
- C) Throwing or pinning the opponent to the ground
11. Which of the following techniques is a judo throw?
- A) Ippon Seoi Nage
- B) Jodan Mawashi Geri
- C) Oi Zuki
12. Which of these is a Judo stranglehold technique?
- A) Hadaka Jime
- B) Kuzure Kesa Gatame
- C) Uchi Mata
13. What is the term for winning a Judo match with a single technique?
- A) Ippon
- B) Shido
- C) Waza-ari
14. Which of these is a Judo lock technique?
- A) O Goshi
- B) Ude Garami
- C) Yoko Shiho Gatame
15. When was Judo first introduced as an Olympic sport?
- A) 1932
- B) 1956
- C) 1964
16. What is the name of the Judo mat area where matches are held?
- A) Dojo
- B) Shiai
- C) Tatami
17. What is the term for a judo contest?
- A) Bout
- B) Randori
- C) Shiai
18. Which country has won the most overall Olympic gold medals in Judo?
- A) France
- B) Japan
- C) Russia
19. Which of these Judo techniques is considered a foot-sweep?
- A) Harai Goshi
- B) Osoto Gari
- C) Deashi Barai
20. What color is the highest belt in Judo?
- A) Black
- B) Red
- C) White
21. What does “Nage Waza” refer to in Judo terminology?
- A) Grappling techniques
- B) Striking techniques
- C) Throwing techniques
22. Which judoka won seven consecutive world titles and two Olympic gold medals in the 48 kg class?
- A) Kayla Harrison
- B) Ryoko Tani
- C) Ingrid Berghmans
23. How is a judo contest decided if the scores are level when regulation time runs out?
- A) By a referee decision
- B) By golden score, an extra period that ends on the first score or penalty
- C) It is recorded as a draw
24. What is the name of the technique where a Judoka “slaps” the mat to break their fall?
- A) Kihon
- B) Ukemi
- C) Yoko Ukemi
25. What is the name of the Tokyo school Jigoro Kano founded in 1882 as the home of judo?
- A) The Butokuden
- B) The Kodokan
- C) The Shobukan
26. What is the most basic and common form of training in Judo?
- A) Drills
- B) Kata
- C) Randori
27. What is the primary focus of “Katame Waza” in Judo?
- A) Grappling techniques
- B) Striking techniques
- C) Throwing techniques
28. Which judo event was added to the Olympic program at Tokyo 2020?
- A) The mixed team event
- B) Kata competition
- C) The open weight category
29. Which of these Judo throws is categorized as a “Hip Throw”?
- A) O Goshi
- B) Uchi Mata
- C) Osoto Gari
30. Which of these terms indicates a “half point” in a Judo match?
- A) Ippon
- B) Shido
- C) Waza-ari
31. What is the term used for Judo etiquette and general manners?
- A) Kihon
- B) Reigi
- C) Saho
32. Which technique involves a swift drop to the knees and pulling the opponent over the Judoka’s shoulder?
- A) Ippon Seoi Nage
- B) Morote Seoi Nage
- C) Drop Seoi Nage
33. In competitive Judo, which of the following actions would result in a penalty?
- A) Grabbing the opponent’s fingers
- B) Sweeping the opponent’s leg
- C) Attempting an armbar
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | White BeltArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Yellow BeltRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Green BeltMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Blue BeltAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Black BeltLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Judo Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this judo quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of judo trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who is the founder of Judo? | B) Jigoro Kano |
| 2 | In what year was Judo founded? | B) 1882 |
| 3 | Where was Judo founded? | B) Japan |
| 4 | Which of these is not a Judo belt color? | C) Purple |
| 5 | What is the name of the traditional Judo uniform? | B) Gi |
| 6 | Which of these is the Japanese term for Judo techniques? | C) Waza |
| 7 | What does the word "Judo" mean in Japanese? | C) The Gentle Way |
| 8 | How many weight classes are there in Judo for men? | B) 7 |
| 9 | What is the highest rank in Judo? | B) 10th Dan |
| 10 | What is the main objective in a Judo match? | C) Throwing or pinning the opponent to the ground |
| 11 | Which of the following techniques is a judo throw? | A) Ippon Seoi Nage |
| 12 | Which of these is a Judo stranglehold technique? | A) Hadaka Jime |
| 13 | What is the term for winning a Judo match with a single technique? | A) Ippon |
| 14 | Which of these is a Judo lock technique? | B) Ude Garami |
| 15 | When was Judo first introduced as an Olympic sport? | C) 1964 |
| 16 | What is the name of the Judo mat area where matches are held? | C) Tatami |
| 17 | What is the term for a judo contest? | C) Shiai |
| 18 | Which country has won the most overall Olympic gold medals in Judo? | B) Japan |
| 19 | Which of these Judo techniques is considered a foot-sweep? | C) Deashi Barai |
| 20 | What color is the highest belt in Judo? | B) Red |
| 21 | What does "Nage Waza" refer to in Judo terminology? | C) Throwing techniques |
| 22 | Which judoka won seven consecutive world titles and two Olympic gold medals in the 48 kg class? | B) Ryoko Tani |
| 23 | How is a judo contest decided if the scores are level when regulation time runs out? | B) By golden score, an extra period that ends on the first score or penalty |
| 24 | What is the name of the technique where a Judoka "slaps" the mat to break their fall? | B) Ukemi |
| 25 | What is the name of the Tokyo school Jigoro Kano founded in 1882 as the home of judo? | B) The Kodokan |
| 26 | What is the most basic and common form of training in Judo? | C) Randori |
| 27 | What is the primary focus of "Katame Waza" in Judo? | A) Grappling techniques |
| 28 | Which judo event was added to the Olympic program at Tokyo 2020? | A) The mixed team event |
| 29 | Which of these Judo throws is categorized as a “Hip Throw”? | A) O Goshi |
| 30 | Which of these terms indicates a "half point" in a Judo match? | C) Waza-ari |
| 31 | What is the term used for Judo etiquette and general manners? | B) Reigi |
| 32 | Which technique involves a swift drop to the knees and pulling the opponent over the Judoka's shoulder? | C) Drop Seoi Nage |
| 33 | In competitive Judo, which of the following actions would result in a penalty? | A) Grabbing the opponent's fingers |
Practicing judo involves risks, so it’s crucial to be informed about to prevent them and ensure a safe training environment at common Judo injuries.
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FAQ
How many questions are in this judo quiz?
There are 33. Each question gives three options, and the correct answer sits behind the reveal button below it.
Where can I find the judo trivia questions and answers together?
The answer key near the bottom of the page lists all 33 questions with their correct answers in order, so you can check a whole round at once.
Are these judo quiz questions hard?
They are mixed. The founder, the belt colors and the basic Japanese terms are covered early, while the technique names, scoring and Olympic history further down suit people who train or follow competition.
Can I use these questions for a dojo quiz or a club night?
Yes. Read the question and its three options aloud, let everyone write down a letter, then work through the answer key at the end and count the correct ones.
What is a good score on this judo quiz?
Anything above half is a good result. The scoring table under the last question turns your total into a rank, from White Belt at the bottom to Black Belt at the top.
Who founded judo and when?
Jigoro Kano, in Tokyo in 1882. He built it from older jujutsu schools, stripped out the most dangerous techniques and taught it as an educational system as much as a fighting art.
What does the word judo mean?
The gentle way. Ju means gentle or yielding and do means way, reflecting Kano’s principle of using an opponent’s force rather than meeting it head on.
What is an ippon in judo?
The full score that ends a contest immediately. It is given for a throw landing the opponent largely on the back with control and speed, for a pin held for 20 seconds, or for a submission to a strangle or an armlock.
What are the judo belt colors in order?
Below black dan grade the usual order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown, though national federations vary. Above black, the 9th and 10th dan grades wear red.
