r/judo • u/rtsuya Nidan | Hollywood Judo | Tatami Talk Podcast • Jul 01 '25
Judo News British Judo Association Unveils Modernised Dan Grade Pathway
https://www.britishjudo.org.uk/british-judo-unveils-modernised-dan-grade-pathway/4
u/Legitimate_Bag8259 ikkyu Jul 02 '25
I was going down the technical route. It had been 5 years from 1st kyu to 1st Dan, so I had 3 years left to go. I've heard it has now gone to 8 years from 1st kyu to 1st Dan. So, I have 6 years left to go.
Either I tape myself together, suck it up and compete, or accept I may never actually get there.
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u/uthoitho gokyu Jul 02 '25
yeah I don't know - this move just feels like they are dangling that carrot for ikkyus even further. yeah yeah it's just a belt, but still infuriating.
not complaining, but also I feel time in grade is not a logical parameter - someone can train twice a week for 5 years and the same person can train four times a week for 5 years - clearly one person has vested much more time than the other.
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u/Legitimate_Bag8259 ikkyu Jul 02 '25
I'm mid-40s now, 7 years doing Judo, 9.5 years doing Bjj, body is in bits. I have a job to go to and a mortgage to pay, so I don't compete these days. The potential for missing time off work or training due to a silly injury just isn't worth it for a £5 medal.
6 more years is a long wait. I have a big decision to make.
1
u/Live_Chef868 Jul 04 '25
I'm like you. 10 years BJJ and 18 years Judo. Qualified as a coach in 2016. I was a brown belt for 7 years in my late 40s - Had 60 points and went for a comp. Got another 20 but decisions went against me on the day (counter uchi mata and not even a waza-ari lol. So I did my kata weekend over in York. Met some great people too. Well worth it.
It's great to have the Black Belt and I feel competent to teach and be matside helping others because I took both routes.
Might be worth a go1
u/d_rome Jul 02 '25
I agree that time-in-grade is not a very good requirement for rank. It's fine if an instructor needs a guideline, but that's it. Some people peak in their respective rank much earlier than their minimum time in grade requirement.
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u/tedingtanto sandan Jul 02 '25
As a 1st kyu, if you complete the technical exam before the end of this year you still only have to wait 5 years. If you don't complete it by then, you'd need to do the new exam and wait the relevant time period(5-8 years depending on category).
5
u/AshiWazaSuzukiBrudda ⬛️ shodan -81kg (and BJJ 🟦) Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25
From the FAQ document (link here):
Why do the 100 Kodokan Techniques include techniques that cannot be used in competition?
- These techniques have been included to honour the heritage and history of Kodokan judo. Some of these techniques are dangerous and must not be applied.
- For the skills examination, these techniques can be explained as needed for the examiner to verify
What are the main changes between the current scheme and the new scheme?
- The new scheme has 30 techniques that are not included in the current scheme – 22 nage-waza and 8 katame-waza.
- A specified kata is required for each dan grade
- The time in grade has increased for each dan grade within the competitive scheme.
- The number of ippon wins has increased by two from 3rd dan to 5th dan.
- The time in grade for each dan grades in the technical scheme has been updated. It now ranges from 5 to 8 years, with a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 8 years, reflecting the contribution made.
WHAT ARE THE NEW KATA REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OF THE DAN GRADES?
- For each dan grade, a Level 1 Kata Certificate is required as follows:
- 1st dan - Nage-no-kata
- 2nd dan - Katame-no-kata
- 3rd dan - Ju-no-kata
- 4th dan - Kime-no-kata
- 5th dan - Kodokan Goshin-jutsu
WHAT ARE THE NEW POINTS REQUIREMENTS?
- The number of ippon wins has increased by two (20 points) for 3rd, 4th and 5th dan grades.
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u/Ambatus pt Jul 01 '25
Interesting, just checked and it seems to be stricter, since I’ve also had 68 nagewaza techniques as part of the theoretical evaluation set. Doesn’t seem to be something made to ease things, but perhaps I’m not reading it correctly.
1
u/AshiWazaSuzukiBrudda ⬛️ shodan -81kg (and BJJ 🟦) Jul 02 '25
Yes, from my quick read - it seems to be only harder/stricter in various areas. So maybe they are trying to raise the bar in people becoming Dan grades?
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u/solongsuckersss sandan Jul 02 '25
As a woman, those extra 20 points are going to make a hell of a difference. I'm struggling as it is to get fights for my 3rd Dan at gradings
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Jul 01 '25
[deleted]
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u/Due_Objective_ Jul 01 '25
The competitive and technical pathways remain. They have added additional requirements to both. What is this "more difficult way" you speak of?
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u/Soundydrummer Jul 02 '25
I know it’s a small condolence to those facing a longer time in grade, but the time in grade requirement is reduced for other engagement (refereeing / officiating / coaching).
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u/someotherguy42 nidan Jul 03 '25
I’m just wondering how the bja handles veterans competitions? Are they technical or competition points?
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u/ForestJudo Jul 03 '25
Any level 3 competition will give you 10 points for each ippon win against a player of equal or higher grade. Veterans tournaments are included within this.
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u/zealous_sophophile Jul 02 '25
10x more years and I think national bodies will be gone and only the ijf will remain.
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u/disposablehippo shodan Jul 01 '25
It's good to see the IJF pushing for a more standardized grading around the world. As a non-british person I always found it odd to have a number of ippons as a mandatory requirement for a black belt. Gatekeeping the grade from non-competitive people.