Sports and scientific judo aspects in CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) – 1966 – 2011

Abstract

Background Utilitarian values of judo are not questioned by specialists of combat sport or martial arts. Unfortunately what is promoted in electronic media is combat sport and martial arts based on heavy action measures (boxing, kick-boxing, MMA etc.). Especially promoters of the most brutal fights between people persistently try to give them the status of the sport. Judo is the opposite of action allowing any forms of the brutalization. In motor aspect the principle of gentle action is applicable to championship fights and randori, formal exercises (kata) and necessary selfdefence. Hence the popularity and the promotion of judo in armies around the world is also an indirect manifesting of disapproval of brutal fights in cages or anywhere else. The aim of this study is sport and scientific aspects of judo as an example of the possibility of promoting by the international association an idea of harmonious development of man using as the main mean of education fight against another man, which relies on direct confrontation, however under the condition of control force used on the opponent body. Material/Methods: The method of analysis of documentation and participant observation was used in the study (in 1995–2007 Anna Kuzawińska served as Secretary of the CISM Judo Committee). Results: The dynamic of the development of judo in CISM both in the sport (multiply the number of countries participating in the world championships of the army in judo, including the women’s representation) and scientific sense falls in years 1995–2007. Promoting the idea of the judo in the possibly wide health, mental, social and utilitarian dimension with omitting scientific methods (non-scientific methods) in the long term perspective is not very effective. The model developed by the CISM Judo Committee, in spite of many benefits which it brought to soldiers of many armies of the world, is not continued. Conclusions: The judo crisis in CISM initiated in 2008 is a symbolic example of betraying the principal rule of this organization Friendship Through Sport (how to build friendship relations through the sport, if soldiers do not have an opportunity of the systematic sports confrontation).