Red Belt C (9th Dan, 10th Dan)

Promotion Categories (Yodan Through Hachidan)

USA Judo recognizes several promotion categories that allow qualified candidates to receive a reduction in the minimum Time in Grade (TIG) requirement based on exceptional achievements and outstanding service to the sport. Qualification under a promotion category may reduce the required Time in Grade; however, promotion is never automatic. Every application is reviewed individually by the USA Judo Promotion Committee.

Category A+ (Approximately 50% Reduction)

Eligible candidates include:

• Olympic or Senior World Championship medalists.
• Olympic or Senior World Team Head Coaches whose athletes won medals.
• IJF-A Referees who officiated Olympic Games or Senior World Championship Final Blocks.

Category A (Approximately 40% Reduction)

Eligible candidates include:

• Olympic or Senior World Team members.
• Paralympic or IBSA World Championship medalists.
• IJF-A Referees with extensive international experience.
• Olympic or Senior World Championship coaches.
• Officials serving on IJF or Pan American Judo Confederation Boards or Committees.

Category B (Approximately 30% Reduction)

Eligible candidates include:

• Paralympic Team members.
• IJF-B Referees.
• Kata World Championship medalists.
• Veterans World Championship medalists.
• USA National Team coaches.
• USA Judo Board members and committee chairs.

Category C (Approximately 15% Reduction)

Eligible candidates include:

• U.S. Senior National Championship medalists.
• Pan American Kata Championship medalists.
• National Referees and Kata Judges.
• USA National Team coaches and managers.
• Coaches of U.S. National Championship medalists.
• USA Judo State Organization officers.
• Active USA Judo committee members.

Category D

Candidates who do not qualify under Categories A+, A, B, or C are evaluated individually based on:

• Judo accomplishments.
• Leadership.
• Service to judo.
• Contributions to the sport.
• Overall merit.

Promotion Category Summary

For promotions from Yodan (4th Dan) through Hachidan (8th Dan), USA Judo recognizes exceptional achievements that may reduce the minimum Time in Grade requirement. Promotion categories reward outstanding accomplishments in:

• Olympic and World Championship competition.
• Paralympic competition.
• International refereeing.
• National and international coaching.
• Kata competition.
• Service to USA Judo.
• Leadership within USA Judo and the international judo community.

Qualification under a promotion category does not guarantee promotion. Every candidate is evaluated individually based on technical ability, character, leadership, service, and overall contributions to judo.

Additional Requirements for Kudan (9th Dan) and Judan (10th Dan)

Promotion to the highest dan ranks is reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary lifelong contributions to the development of judo.

Candidates must:

• Qualify under Category A or Category A+.
• Have Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, coaching, refereeing, or international leadership experience.
• Hold an IJF Continental Referee License or USA Judo International Coach Certification.
• Maintain current: USA Judo Membership, SafeSport Certification, Background Screening, Concussion Awareness Certification.
• Candidates must also:
• Demonstrate lifelong dedication to judo.
• Have an exceptional reputation and distinguished career.
• Progress through each dan rank without skipping multiple grades.
• Hold their previous dan rank through USA Judo.
• Be recommended by the USA Judo Rank & Certification Committee.
• Receive final approval from the USA Judo Board of Directors.

Kudan (9th Dan)

Promotion to Kudan (9th Dan) is reserved for individuals who have devoted a lifetime to the advancement of judo. This rank recognizes extraordinary technical mastery, exceptional leadership, and outstanding contributions to the development of judo at both the national and international levels.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must:

• Be at least 60 years of age.
• Hold the rank of Hachidan (8th Dan) for a minimum of 10 years.
• Qualify under Promotion Category A or Category A+.
• Demonstrate unquestioned moral character and lifelong dedication to judo.
• Have an exceptional reputation and distinguished career in judo.
• Have progressed through each dan rank without skipping multiple grades.
• Hold their previous dan rank through USA Judo.
• Be recommended by the USA Judo Rank & Certification Committee.
• Receive final approval from the USA Judo Board of Directors.
• Maintain current: USA Judo Membership, SafeSport Certification, Background Screening, Concussion Awareness Certification.
• Hold either: IJF Continental Referee License, or USA Judo International Coach Certification.
• Demonstrate significant international experience through competition, coaching, refereeing, or leadership within the judo community.
• Demonstrate a lifetime of outstanding service and leadership that has significantly advanced the development of USA Judo and the international judo community.
• Be recognized as a role model whose technical knowledge, teaching ability, and leadership have had a lasting impact on future generations of judoka.

Required Kata

Candidates must demonstrate practical and theoretical mastery of:

• Nage-no-Kata
• Katame-no-Kata
• Kime-no-Kata
• Ju-no-Kata
• Koshiki-no-Kata
• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu

Judan (10th Dan)

Promotion to Judan (10th Dan) is the highest honor in Kodokan Judo and USA Judo. This rank is awarded only to individuals whose lifetime achievements have had an extraordinary impact on the development of judo throughout the United States and the international judo community.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must:

• Be at least 70 years of age.
• Hold the rank of Kudan (9th Dan) for a minimum of 10 years.
• Qualify under Promotion Category A or Category A+.
• Demonstrate a lifetime of exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to judo.
• Have an internationally recognized reputation and record of achievement.
• Hold their previous dan rank through USA Judo.
• Be recommended by the USA Judo Rank & Certification Committee.
• Receive final approval from the USA Judo Board of Directors.
• Maintain current: USA Judo Membership, SafeSport Certification, Background Screening, Concussion Awareness Certification.
• Hold either: IJF Continental Referee License, or USA Judo International Coach Certification.
• Demonstrate outstanding international contributions through competition, coaching, officiating, administration, or leadership.
• Demonstrate extraordinary lifelong service to Kodokan Judo and USA Judo at the highest level.
• Be recognized internationally for exceptional leadership, technical excellence, and contributions to the growth and preservation of judo.
• Serve as an ambassador of the principles, philosophy, and traditions of Kodokan Judo.

Required Kata

Candidates must demonstrate practical and theoretical mastery of all official Kodokan kata required for senior dan promotions, including:

• Nage-no-Kata
• Katame-no-Kata
• Kime-no-Kata
• Ju-no-Kata
• Koshiki-no-Kata
• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu

Candidates should also demonstrate a complete practical and theoretical understanding of the philosophy, principles, and applications of each official Kodokan kata.

Final Approval

Promotion to Kudan (9th Dan) and Judan (10th Dan) is not based solely on technical qualifications. Every candidate is evaluated on their lifetime achievements, service to the judo community, leadership, teaching ability, technical expertise, integrity, character, and contributions to the growth of USA Judo.

Final approval is granted only after review by the USA Judo Rank & Certification Committee and authorization by the USA Judo Board of Directors. Promotion to these highest ranks represents a lifetime of excellence, dedication, leadership, and service to the art and sport of judo.