by Craig Brown
First published 2021
Young readers explore the fascinating beginnings of judo through the story of its founder, a remarkable man who devoted his entire life to developing both a global sport and a complete philosophy of living. Written by Olympic judoka Matt D'Aquino, this bilingual tale presents judo's history in both English and Irish, making it ideal for children learning either language as a second tongue. The narrative follows the incredible journey of creating what would become a worldwide martial art and way of life. D'Aquino brings his thirty years of judo experience and Olympic competition background to tell this story, having represented Australia in eight Continental Championships, four World Championships, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The book serves as both an engaging introduction to judo's heritage and a language learning tool, offering young readers the chance to discover how one person's dedication transformed a fighting system into something much greater.
Genres: history, non-fiction, martial-arts
Vibes: educational, informative, inspiring
Tropes: biography, origin-story
Setting: Australia, Beijing
Period: 2008
32 pages · Paperback · Independently published