October 28th, 2026

World Judo Day is celebrated every year on October 28, the birthday of Jigoro Kano, who was born in 1860 and founded judo in Japan in 1882. The International Judo Federation launched the day in 2011 to promote judo and the values it teaches, such as respect, courage, friendship, self-control, and modesty. Kano created judo as more than a sport, describing it as a way of education built on the principles of maximum efficiency and mutual welfare and benefit. Today judo is practiced by millions of people in some 200 countries and has been an Olympic sport since 1964. Each year the federation chooses a theme, and clubs, schools, and national federations mark the day with open training sessions, demonstrations, and events that invite newcomers to step onto the mat.