(CNN) It is one of the most popular sports in the world, practiced by 28 million people in more than 200 countries.
But what does it take master the "gentle way?"
CNN takes a look at Judo's rules, its history as well as its guiding principles.
Judo was founded back in Japan in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō who envisaged not just a martial art (bujutsu) but a way of life.
The Japanese word means "gentle way" in English and its defining technical principle is to use the strength of an opponent against them.
In a competitive setting, judoka aim to throw, pin or force their rival into a submission which is signaled by saying the word "maitta," or by tapping the mat or the opponent at least twice.
Holding techniques include applying pressure to an opponent's neck or manipulating the elbow joint, but thrusts and strikes -- common in martial arts like karate -- are only permitted in pre-arranged forms, or "kata," of the sport.
After taking to the mat, called the tatami, regulation bouts last four minutes for both males and females.
Competitors wear either blue or white, with the universal judo uniform known as the judogi. Seniority is based on a ranking system, denoted by the color of a judoka's belt, from white belt for beginners through to a variety of black belts.
There are two different ways of scoring -- ippon and waza-ari
Ippon: Judo's equivalent to a knockout, signaled by the referee with a straight arm raised above the head, an ippon immediately ends the match.
An ippon is awarded for a throw that places the opponent flat on their back with sufficient force and control; a pin that places the opponent on their back for 20 seconds; or a submission.
Waza-ari: A waza-ari is a lesser throw that places the opponent on their back, but without the force or control to merit the awarding of an ippon, or a pin that places the opponent on their back for more than 10 seconds.
The referee signals a waza-ari has been scored by extending their arm out at shoulder level with the palm of their hand facing downwards.
In amendments to the sport's rules effective from January 2018, two waza-ari scores will equal an ippon, thereby ending the match.
During a match, the referee may penalize a judoka for passivity, the use of prohibited techniques or behavior deemed against the spirit of judo.
Hansoku-make: This signifies an outright disqualification and can be invoked for any major breach of the rules. Minor breaches, such as stepping outside of the allotted mat area, are known as shido with three shido resulting in a hansoku-make.
Seiryoku zen'yō: "Maximum efficiency, minimum effort"
The principle of seiryoku zen'yō, as defined by Kanō, aims to show that more powerful opponents can be overcome by superior technique.
When your opponent pulls, you push; when he pushes, you pull.
Jita kyōei: "Mutual welfare and benefit"
Accoring to French judo-star and double Olympic gold medla winner, Teddy Riner, judo "is a sport which demands an irreproachable lifestyle, a sport which demands a rigor. (There is) a moral code which is similar to that which you learn from your parents."
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