Judo is a contemporary martial art developed in the late 19th century as an alternative to jiujutsu. Considered a grappling art, judo is a competitive martial art that focuses on throws, takedowns, joint locks and choke holds to bring an opponent to submission. Although striking techniques such as punches and kicks are allowed in pre-arranged kata for training practice, they are generally discouraged during competition or randori free sparring.
Belt Structure
According to the United States Judo Federation regulations, advancement in judo is determined by a succession of colored belts referred to as kyu and dan grades. Belt grades that are below black-belt are referred to as kyu, while above-black belt degrees are referred to as dan. After the Godan, or fifth-degree black belt rank, judo belts then progress to a combination of black, red and white, and finally black and red belts.
Names and Ranks
Beginning adult judo students start out with the ranking of Rokkyu, or white belt. As they learn and display proficiency in judo kata, or forms, they gradually progress to Gokyu, Yonkyu and Sankyu, or green, blue and brown belts respectively. After three degrees of brown belts, the judo student can test for her first-degree black belt, or Shodan. The highest-level belt obtainable in judo is the Judan, or tenth-degree black belt, which can only be obtained by a promotion from the president of the Kodokan, a prominent international institute and judo headquarters.
Junior and Senior Belt Ranks
The USJF standardizes which curriculum is taught to which students to participating schools. Judo students who are 16 and under are considered junior judoka, while students who are 17 and older are considered senior judoka. Although junior students must pass through five belt grades before reaching the rank of Rokkyu, the curriculum for junior and senior students is practically identical after that point.
Testing and Requirements
In order to advance their belt grade, a judo student must demonstrate a proficiency in the various kata for each rank. In addition to break falls and takedowns, the requirements for advancing from Rokkyu to Gokyu, or white belt to green belt, includes a variety of non-curriculum items such as familiarity with judo etiquette, philosophy and hygiene. Once a student begins to test for the Sankyu belt grade, or brown belt, they will need to begin collecting competition points earned from judo competitions in order to advance. For a comprehensive explanation on the requirements needed for each specific judo rank, talk to your sensei and wait until you are fully prepared to advance before asking to be tested.
Member Comments