Judo grew out of jujutsu in Japan, where Jigoro Kano founded the Kodokan school and shaped the modern art into a system of throws, pins and submissions. In 1899 Kano chaired a committee that drew up the first formal contest rules for jujutsu, with bouts lasting 15 minutes and wins decided by throws, pins or submissions. Rules were refined over the next decades to limit joint locks, and the balance between standing and ground work was specified. Kano wanted judo to be seen as a principle of life, art and science rather than only a sport. He was ambivalent about the Olympic Games, believing nationalism could distort the sport. Judo was shown as a demonstration at the 1932 Olympics and became an official Olympic sport in 1964 in Tokyo.

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, with more than 1,600 surviving remains spread over 4,100 hectares. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Travellers from Persia and Portugal described it as a prosperous, wealthy and grand city with temples, markets and farms along the Tungabhadra River. By 1500 it was estimated to be the world's second-largest city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at the time. In 1565 a coalition of Muslim sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, its capital was conquered and destroyed, and the city was left in ruins. Hampi remains a religious centre, with the active Virupaksha Temple at its heart.