There are many different types of throws in judo. One popular and spectacular move is the shoulder throw, or seio-nage, in which the judoka tosses his opponent over his back and shoulder. Other examples include the harai goshi, or sweeping hip throw, which actually looks a lot like tripping, and the O soto garae, or circle throw, where one opponent appears to somersault over the other.

A correctly executed throw wins a judo bout immediately, the same as a knockout in boxing or taekwondo.

There are several holds in judo, but the most common and most effective way to immobilize an opponent is the chokehold, which resembles the "sleeper hold" in professional wrestling. Usually done in a sitting or kneeling position, the judoka will wedge an arm under the chin and around the neck of the opponent.

As with throws, a successful hold sustained for 25 seconds means instant victory.

Judo champions can apply moves quickly, meaning bouts can be over in a matter of seconds. If you're planning to watch judo, it's best to keep your eyes glued to the screen. In 1996 Canadian judoka Nicolas Gill, a two-time Olympic medallist and current head coach of the Canadian team, lost a bout in only seven seconds.

A judoka can score one point and win the bout by executing a good throw, or by immobilizing the opponent with a legitimate hold, such as a chokehold or armlock. A victory by scoring full points for a move is called an ippon.

To score an ippon, the move must meet four criteria: in throws, the opponent must be thrown mainly onto his or her back; holds must be maintained for the full 25 seconds. Both throws and holds must also be executed with control, force and speed. Moves that meet three out of the four criteria are awarded half-points, or waza-ari. Two out of four nets a yuko, and one out of the four results in a koka.

There are now seven men's and women's weight classes. These have changed slightly over the years, and were most recently amended after the Atlanta Olympics.

As many as 386 judoka will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Since there are so many competitors, each event is run as a one-day single elimination tournament. After the competitors are separated into their respective weight classes, they are divided into two pools by a draw.

Japan's greatest legend on the men's side is Yasuhiro Yamashita, although his greatest feats were accomplished well away from the Olympic spotlight. Yamashita was enjoying a 194-bout winning streak, but lost his chance at an Olympic gold when Japan boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games.

A distraught Yamashita wept on national television. Fortunately, he did get another chance four years later in Los Angeles. But in his second match, he tore his right calf muscle. Still, he continued because injuries are "fair game" in judo. Limping and wincing in pain, Yamashita won the gold to enshrine his status as national hero.

Armlock: The legitimate application of pressure to an opponent's elbow joint to force a submission.

Awasewaza: Ippon by two waza-ari - in other words, a full win consisting of two half-wins.

Bout: A contest between two judo competitors.

Chokehold: Any legitimate judo hold where the main component is locking an opponent by encircling the neck with an arm, the legs or the lapels; also called a "stranglehold."

Chui: Penalty given to a judoka equal to a yuko; a caution.

Circular throw: Another common throw in which the judoka uses an opponent's momentum to his or her advantage; also called tomoe-nage.

Contest area: The eight-metre-square mat area where the competition occurs.

Dan: A grade of black belt - first dan, second dan, etc. Visible as black stripes at the end of a judoka's belt: one stripe equals first dan and so forth.

Hajme: A referee's command to begin fighting.

Hansokumake: The disqualification of a judoka for an offence, giving the opponent an "ippon," or automatic victory.

Harai goshi: Sweeping hip throw.

Ippon: One point scored in a single manoeuvre to win a bout, either by throwing the opponent onto his or her back, by holding an opponent for 25 seconds or by gaining submission to a strangle hold or armlock. Equal to a pin-down in wrestling or a knockout in boxing.

Ju-jitsu: An ancient Japanese martial art, based primarily on the principle of ju, or gentleness. Sometimes spelled as one word.

Judo: "The gentle way" - "ju" from the Japanese character meaning "gentleness, softness, yielding or flexibility" and "do" from the Japanese character meaning "way, road, path or teaching."

Judogi: A competitor's judo uniform, consisting of loose-fitting pants and jacket and a belt tied at the waist.

Judoka: One or more judo competitors.

Juji-gatame: Arm lock.

Katsu: A method of resuscitation to revive a judoka incapacitated by a chokehold.

Keikoku: Penalty given to a judoka equal to a waza-ari.

Kinsa: Slight superiority or close decision.

Kochiki-taoshi: A leg-grab shoulder throw.

Koka: Almost yuko, which is a score given to a judoka for either completing a throw or holding an opponent for 15 to 20 seconds.

Matae: The referee's command to stop a bout temporarily. In informal competition or practise, the equivalent of saying "uncle."

Morote-seoi-nage: Two-arm shoulder throw.

Obi: The belt worn by judoka.

Osaekomi: The referee's command to begin timing a hold.

Osaekomi-toketa: The referee's command to stop timing a hold.

Reap: To sweep an opponent's legs from under him or her to gain the advantage.

Safety zone: The three-metre-wide outer area of the competition area, which is out of bounds.

Seoi-nage: Shoulder throw. A common technique in which a judoka uses his or her back to throw an opponent over his or her shoulder.

Shido: Minor penalty given to a judoka, equal to a koka.

Shime-waza: Strangulation or choking techniques.

Shoulder throw: One of the most commonly used techniques. The judoka uses his or her legs and back to throw an opponent over his or her shoulder. Also called a "seoi-nage."

Sono-mama: The referee's command to freeze, with the judoka stopping all action and holding their positions.

Soremade: The referee's command to end a bout.

Strangle hold: Any legitimate judo hold where the main component is strangling or choking an opponent by encircling the neck with an arm, the legs or the lapels; also called a "choke hold."

Tai-otoshi: Body drop.

Tatami: The vinyl-covered foam mats that make up the competition area in judo.

Throws: One of two ways to attempt to score points, along with "holds." There are five forms of throwing an opponent: hand technique (tewaza), hip method (koshiwaza), foot-and-leg system (ashiwaza), throwing one's back on the mat (masutemi waza), or throwing one's side on the mat (yokosutemi waza).

Tomoe-nage: Whirl throw or circle throw. Another common throw where the judoka uses an opponent's momentum to his or her advantage.

Uchi-mata: Inner thigh throw.

Waza: Technique

Waza-ari: A half-point, or "almost ippon," awarded for either a throw meeting three scoring criteria or holding the opponent for 20 seconds. Included in the scoring criteria are the speed of the throw, how the opponent lands (e.g., on what part of his or her back), and technique.

Yuko: Meaning "almost waza-ari," a score given to a judoka for either completing a throw or holding an opponent for 15 to 20 seconds. Yuko is lacking in speed and usually is scored when an opponent is thrown on his or her side.

Yusei-gachi: Win by superiority scores or officials' decision.

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