POCATELLO - Nearly 100 adults and children competed Saturday at Idaho State University's Judo Club's 41st Anniversary Taikai and Idaho State Judo Championships.

Sami Tadehara, who coordinated the event and teaches judo at ISU, said the annual event, hosted at Reed Gym, isn't the most highly attended because it's held early in the season.

"Later in the season, in March and April, we see bigger tournaments," he said.

But even with its relatively small number of participants, Saturday's competition did attract teams from outside Southeast Idaho.

"We do have people from as far away as Ontario, Ore.," Tadehara said. "We have teams from Utah and Oregon."

He said the number of competitors this year is about average for a sport that has limited popularity in the U.S. compared with the rest of the world.

"For some reason it just isn't as popular here. Throughout the rest of the world, it's huge," Tadehara said. "In other parts of the world they would have a practice gym this large full of people."

Judo originated in Japan and is a martial art that focuses on technique rather than power. Watching the matches, it almost appears to be more akin to wrestling than karate.

"Striking is now allowed," Tadehara said. "The roots of judo are almost 3,000 years old. It's more about flexibility than power."

The four components key to judo include throwing, pinning, joint lock and chokehold.

Tadehara said people who choose judo over other sports do it for many reasons. He said those who are considering judo need to take the time to check out the sport, and the particular team with which they learn, as each may have a different focus.

"You should check out different teams," he said. "Some are more competitive and some are more focused on recreation."