Judo vs. Taekwondo: What's The Difference?

Judo and Taekwondo are renowned for their distinct benefits, histories, philosophies, and techniques. Both were popular in the martial arts and sports industry, helping individuals foster mental discipline, develop physical abilities, and learn self-defense skills. However, it can be challenging to choose between the two as both combat sports are significant.

For individuals to know which martial art works best, here is an optimal Judo vs. Taekwondo guide discussing their key differences and values:

Core Techniques and Fighting Style

Judo is a modern Japanese martial art focusing on grappling-based skills, including throws, joint locks, pins, and submissions. It is intended to control or incapacitate opponents to one’s advantage. This combat is ideal for individuals who want to improve their flexibility, balance, resilience, patience, and coordination.

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean, striking-based martial art that prioritizes agility, high, powerful kicks, and fast movements. It enhances an individual’s situational awareness and strengthens their foundation in striking techniques. This combat sport improves stamina, strength, muscle tone, bones, and heart health.

Judo: Training Methods and Sparring Approach

Judo Imus, Cavite utilizes three types of training methods, each with distinct rules and practices, such as:

Kata

It is a formal exercise that involves practicing pre-arranged attack and defense patterns with a partner. The primary purpose of Kata is to teach its philosophical tenets by emphasizing ultimate contraction before demonstrating precise execution.

Kata has seven principal techniques:

Nage No Kata – Focuses on throwing methods.
Katame No Kata (Ne Waza) – Created to enhance learning and understanding of the matwork technique theory. It includes pinning (osaekomi waza), choking (shime waza), and armbar submission (kansetsu waza).
Ju No Kata – Focuses on teaching gentle but skillful application for enhanced flexibility to defeat strength.
Goshin Jitsu – A modern self-defense against unarmed and even armed attacks.
Kime No Kata – An ancient technique involving striking, kicking, punching, and using a short or long sword.
Koshiki No Kata – Emphasizes moving like an ancient warrior clad in heavy armor in the feudal ages.
Itsutsu No Kata – A technique with five forms, demonstrating that continuous attack, using the opponent’s energy through their strikes, the ocean’s tide power, and yielding bring defeat.

Randori

This training method is a free sparring drill that allows both individuals to practice and execute skills. It is an exercise where partners perform and receive attacks at full power and speed. Through this, practitioners will learn how to overcome the opponent properly.

Shiai

Shiai is the final training method wherein judokas can test and apply their skills and techniques. It is commonly done as an informal club match to formal competitions, including local, national, and international tournaments. This is vital as it enhances technical application, strategic thinking, and physical conditioning.

Taekwondo: Training Methods and Sparring Approach

On the contrary, Taekwondo focuses more on advanced kicking techniques, including:

Ap Chagi

Ap Chagi, or Front Kick, is a foundational method emphasizing accuracy and explosiveness. It is done by raising the knee to waist level, expanding the toes, and quickly pulling them back to strike the opponent’s midsection.

Yop Chagi

The side kick, also called Yop Chagi, is a powerful technique where practitioners provide a powerful force while maintaining distance from the opponent. It is performed by chambering the rear end of the kicking leg diagonally across the body, broadening the leg linearly towards the target to twist the abdomen properly.

Dollyo Chagi

Dollyo Chagi is a famous and versatile roundhouse kick that helps individuals target various angles and levels, which is the best method in sparring. This kick is executed by putting the weight on the bending foot, turning the body instantly, stretching the knee, and making the kicking foot circle horizontally for the foresole to kick the target.

Spinning Kicks

The spin kick, also called the spinning hook kick, is a high-level approach that requires precision, flexibility, and agility. It is performed by rotating the body with a powerful kick with the foot’s heel, which can be visually appealing and destructive when done accurately.

Uniform

Judo practitioners wear a thick jūdōgi (柔道着), which means “judo uniform.” It consists of white or blue cotton drawstring pants and a matching quilted cotton jacket that is perfect to withstand the stresses of gripping and throwing techniques.

In Taekwondo, practitioners wear a dobok (도복), a white—often black—cotton and polyester with a belt around the waist, and commonly have v-neck jackets, a tailored design inspired by hanbok. It is lightweight, which is an idealdesign for high mobility and kicking.

Judo: Belt Ranking System

In Judo, practitioners are separated into two groups of belt holders based on a ranking system.

Kyu Grade System

This ranking system features individuals with different colored belts based on their knowledge, technical ability, and understanding of Japanese terminologies.

Here are the six different grades in the Kyu Grade system:

First Kyu – Brown belt
Second Kyu – Blue belt
Third Kyu – Green belt
Fourth Kyu – Orange belt
Fifth Kyu – Yellow belt
Sixth Kyu – Red belt

Once judokas complete all these ranks, they are already qualified enough for the coveted black belt in the Dan Grade System.

Dan Grade System

This range is among the highest qualifications available in Judo. It demonstrates the practitioner’s proficiency in Kata, combat skills, written examinations, years of study and practice, and competitive achievements.

There is a total of ten different grades under the Dan System, representing three various colored belts:

First to Fifth Dan – Black belt
Sixth to Eighth Dan – Belt with alternating panels of red and white
Ninth to Tenth Dan – Red belt

Taekwondo: Belt Ranking System

Taekwondo also has different belt systems that depend on a practitioner’s knowledge and expertise, and just like in Judo, it is separated into two systems:

Geup Belt System

Geup, meaning grade, is a junior ranking system where these colors identify individuals’ skills:

First Geup – Plum belt
Second to Third Geup – Red belt
Fourth to Fifth Geup – Brown belt
Sixth Geup – Blue belt
Seventh Geup – Green belt
Eighth Geup – Orange belt
Ninth Geup – Yellow belt
Tenth Geup – White belt

Dan Ranking System

Like Judo, the Dan Ranking System in Taekwondo means the practitioner already has advanced knowledge and combative skills. While different schools and styles utilize unique names and meanings for the grading framework, Sino-Korean numbers are the most common jargon used:

Il Dan – First-degree black belt
Ee Dan – Second-degree black belt
Sam Dan – Third-degree black belt
Sa Dan – Fourth-degree black belt
Oh Dan – Fifth-degree black belt
Yuk Dan – Sixth-degree black belt
Chil Dan – Seventh-degree black belt
Pal Dan – Eighth-degree black belt
Gu Dan – Ninth-degree black belt

Closing Remarks

Deciding between Judo and Taekwondo hinges on your aspirations, whether self-defense, competitive pursuits, fitness enhancements, or personal growth. Acknowledging that these two martial arts offer distinct advantages will help you find the right fit for your goals. Consequently, choosing the appropriate gym is significant, as the right environment contributes to achieving your desired outcomes.

If you want to learn both martial arts, consider Titans – Sports and Functional Gym. Our fitness center is well-known for offering premier combat sports, like Taekwondo and Judo, gym in Imus, Cavite. With our professional fitness enthusiasts and a welcoming community, you can achieve your personal goals quickly.

Take your fitness to the next level with Titans’ diverse combat sports programs. Visit our official website at www.titansgymcavite.com and register today!

Sources:

Judo vs. Taekwondo: What’s The Difference?