The Way of Gentleness: Elena Guarducci Brings the Philosophy of Judo to Panathlon Prato

In a recent engagement with Panathlon Prato, athlete Elena Guarducci highlighted the profound spiritual and physical foundations of judo, describing the discipline not merely as a combat sport, but as the “way of gentleness.” Guarducci’s appearance served as a reminder that beyond the competition, the sport is rooted in deep-seated principles of friendship and mutual prosperity.

For those unfamiliar with the discipline, judo represents a sophisticated blend of physical mastery and mental discipline. The term itself is derived from two Japanese characters: jū, meaning “gentleness” or “cedevolezza,” and dō, meaning “way.” Together, they define a philosophy of adaptability, teaching practitioners how to overcome an opponent’s force not by opposing it directly, but by exploiting and directing that energy toward a specific goal.

The Foundations of the “Way”

The formal birth of judo dates back to 1882 in Japan, with the establishment of the Kōdōkan by Professor Jigoro Kano. Kano sought to transform ancient, often lethal, hand-to-hand combat techniques from pre-modern Japanese schools into an educational activity. By removing the most dangerous elements, he created a system designed to develop both the body and the mind.

This educational focus is central to the sport’s identity. Judo is viewed as a symmetrical discipline that fosters harmonious physical development while reflecting its principles in the practitioner’s character. According to the sport’s core tenets, the practice should promote sociality, personality, and respect in the wider world. This is encapsulated in the official motto of the sport: “The best leverage of energy for friendship and mutual prosperity.”

To retain the technical side clear for the casual observer: judo is practiced on a specialized mat called a tatami, and athletes wear a traditional uniform known as a jūdōgi.

The Three Pillars of Technical Mastery

The technical progression of a judoka (a judo practitioner) is built upon three distinct pillars, each serving a specific purpose in the athlete’s development:

• Kihon: The study of fundamental techniques. This includes “positive” application—learning the bases of imbalance to execute a move—and “negative” application, which is the ability to suffer a technique without injury through proper falling methods.
• Kata: The study of forms. These are pre-arranged series of techniques performed in a specific manner. Kata serve as essential instructions for both beginners and advanced practitioners to understand how to apply judo in various scenarios.
• Randori: Free combat. This is the practical application of everything learned in Kihon and Kata, where the athlete competes against an opponent who is actively trying to implement their own techniques.

From the Kōdōkan to the Olympic Stage

While its roots are philosophical and educational, judo has evolved into one of the most recognized and practiced martial arts globally. Its transition to a worldwide competitive sport reached a milestone when it officially became an Olympic discipline at the Tokyo 1964 Games.

The sport’s universality has grown steadily over the decades. By the 2004 Athens Games, judo was the second most universal sport, featuring athletes from 98 different countries. This growth continued into the 2012 London Games, where 387 athletes representing 135 different nations competed on the world stage.

By emphasizing the “way of gentleness,” athletes like Elena Guarducci continue to bridge the gap between the high-intensity environment of modern combat sports and the original vision of Jigoro Kano—where the ultimate victory is found in the mutual improvement of the practitioners.

The next phase for practitioners and fans will be following the upcoming international tournament calendar as judokas continue to refine the balance between competitive aggression and the philosophy of cedevolezza.

Do you believe the philosophical roots of martial arts are lost in modern Olympic competition, or do they still drive the athletes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.