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Kudo

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description Kudo Overview

Kudo is a Japanese combat sport blending elements of Judo and Savate, emphasizing grappling, striking techniques, and controlled takedowns within a standardized ruleset designed for practical self-defense scenarios.

help Kudo FAQ

What techniques are actually legal in Kudo competition?

Kudo combines punches and kicks with throws, clinch work, chokes, and joint locks under a full-contact ruleset. Competitors wear a gi and protective headgear, so it resembles mixed martial arts more than point karate.

Why do Kudo fighters wear a clear-faced helmet?

The Neo Headgear Ku protects the face while permitting direct head strikes that ordinary karate competition may restrict. The equipment also reduces cuts and facial injuries without removing striking, grappling, or takedowns from the match.

Who created Kudo, and how is it connected to Daido Juku?

Kyokushin practitioner Takashi Azuma founded Daido Juku in Sendai in 1981. The system later adopted the name Kudo to emphasize its identity as a mixed budo rather than simply another karate style.

How are Kudo competitors matched when body sizes differ?

Kudo uses a physical index based on a competitor's height and weight rather than relying only on conventional weight divisions. This matters because the rules allow both striking reach and grappling mass to influence a bout.

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