Click the BJA logo for the Kyu grading syllabus  

Click the BJA logo  for the pictorial Kyu grading

Within the British Judo Association (BJA) there are six Kyu grades. The grades are indicated by the following coloured belts:-

6th Kyu

5th Kyu

4th Kyu

3rd Kyu

2nd Kyu

1st Kyu

Promotion within the Kyu grades is based on technical knowledge and understanding, together with Japanese terminology and supplementary knowledge. There is no contest requirement in the Kyu Grade syllabus however there is a progressively structured Randori element at the higher grades, where at the highest level,

Randori is based on open skills.

For grades up to and including 4th Kyu, promotion examinations should be completed within the candidate’s club and can be examined by the same coach that instructed the candidate.

For 3rd Kyu and above, promotion examinations may be completed within the club but candidates may also grade at Inter-club, area promotion examinations and at any other event such as a Technical Training course. It is good practice that the examiner should be different from the coach.

MINIMUM AGE

Players may choose to seek promotion under the Senior Kyu Grade syllabus on reaching 14 years of age.

Players are encouraged seek advice from their coach on whether they should seek promotion under the Senior Kyu Grade Syllabus. Juniors that opt to hold a senior Kyu grade, cannot enter a senior competition for judoka aged 16 and above. Juniors under age 15 cannot collect promotion points towards Dan grade and junior 1st Kyus aged 15 cannot collect points off a 14 year old 1st Kyu.

Click the BJA Logo

for the Dan

Syallubus                 

The belt system is a distinctive feature of judo. Judoka can test their ability, by entering for examination, within a system of grades, and by demonstrating superiority over a cross-section of players at the same level by winning promotion to the next rank. In this way successive ranks become populated by increasingly skilful players until eventually all judoka who participate consistently are distributed through the hierarchy according to their proven ability.

The time-honoured distinction is between Kyu (student) and Dan (advanced) grades. Put simply, the distinction marks the point at which the emphasis shifts away from the acquisition of technique on to its effective application.

Promotion with the Dan degree does not carry a change of designated colour until 6th Dan is reached. Even then it is customary for the holder to continue wearing a black belt in everyday practice, reserving the official colour for instructing, coaching, presentations and ceremonial occasions.

The Dan grades are as follows:

   Grade                      Belt Colour                              Traditional Name

   1st Dan                      Black                                         Shodan

   2nd Dan                     Black                                           Nidan

   3rd Dan                      Black                                          Sandan

   4th Dan                      Black                                     Shidan (Yondan)

   5th Dan                      Black                                          Godan

   6th Dan            Alternating red and white blocks             Rokudan

   7th Dan            Alternating red and white blocks             Shichidan

   8th Dan           Alternating red and white blocks               Hachidan

   9th Dan                      Red                                               Kudan

  10th Dan                     Red                                               Judan