Judo is mainly a sport in which two competitors try to throw each other using different techniques to obtain maximum points, therefore winning the bout.

A contest can also be won by means of a hold-down, this is where the competitor after throwing his opponent holds them down on their back for a period of up-to 25 seconds.
Or
By submission of your opponent when armlocks or strangles are applied (over 15 years only).

Judo is also used in self-defence, all the techniques that are taught can be used to defend yourself against attackers, examples of these are shown periodically at lessons.