A progressive learning system is used in judo to promote participants who reach a certain level of skill and knowledge. This progression is monitored by using belts of different colours. The learning system is divided into two parts:
◊ Kyu grades (White to Brown Belt)
◊ Dan ranks (Black Belt)
Kyu ranks include the following belts:
White Belt
6th Kyu
White-Yellow Belt
6+ th Kyu
Yellow Belt
5 th Kyu
Yellow-Orange Belt
5+ th Kyu
Orange Belt
4 th Kyu
Orange-Green Belt
4+ th Kyu
Green Belt
3rd Kyu
Green-Blue Belt
3+ rd Kyu
Blue Belt
2nd Kyu
Blue-Brown Belt
2+ nd Kyu
Brown Belt
1st Kyu
These ranks were created to follow the learning of the techniques and culture of judo. Kyu grades are defined in the Mudansha (Kyu) grade syllabus and are administered by clubs across the country.
Dan grades include 10 degrees starting from the black belt (Shodan):
Shodan
1st Degree
Nidan
2nd Degree
Sandan
3rd Degree
Yondan
4th Degree
Godan
5th Degree
Rokudan
6th Degree
Shichidan
7th Degree
Hachidan
8th Degree
Kudan
9th Degree
Judan
10th Degree
These degrees were created in order to perfect the techniques and to develop the culture of judo. Dan grades are defined in the Yudansha (Dan) grade syllabus and are administered by (i) Judo Canada Grading Committee and (ii) Provincial / Territorial Grading Committees.
Candidates can access the ranks from Shodan to Godan by fulfilling the criteria of one of the following two paths, namely:
The competitive stream
Online Application Form
The technical stream
Online Application Form
For Rokudan ranks and above, applicants must be actively involved in judo and demonstrate a significant contribution to judo at the Provincial / Territorial, national and / or international level throughout their career in judo and, in particular, since their last promotion. There are two streams: