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Promotion into the coveted
ranks of the ‘Judo Black Belt’ is the long-term goal of nearly
all Judoka. It is regarded as a milestone marking the transition
from simply learning techniques to being able to actually apply
them effectively in a competitive environment. In the not too
distant past, holders of the grade of 1st Dan were expected to
have a profound knowledge of judo skills that had been tried and
tested in demanding competition as well as being the ‘fountain
of all judo knowledge’.
This ethos has been gradually
eroded in recent years as the Black Belt has become accessible
to more people and the expectations of what it takes to become
and be a Black Belt have shifted. This has resulted in a change
in perception, particularly from those within Judo circles, that
the real ‘Holy Grail’ is no longer the Black Belt but in fact
the 6th Dan or Red and White Belt. It is fair to say that this
perception is now common in the majority of countries practicing
Judo. The real danger is that unless something is done about this
the grades will continue to be eroded to a point where they become
meaningless. The British Judo Association has not been alone in
reacting slowly to this problem. However, action is now necessary
in order to build in an element of quality control to ensure that
those attaining the Black Belt and beyond are of the required
standard both technically and in terms of their judo knowledge.
Following consultation
with Senior Examiners and other high graded judoka through out
the country The Board of Directors of the British Judo Association
have accepted a recommendation from the National Promotions Commission
that a new ‘Technical Dan grade’ should be introduced to replace
the current Non-Competitive Promotion scheme. This means that
there will be two routes to gain BJA Dan Grade Promotion. It is
strongly felt that Technical Dan Grade will help establish a fairer
and more credible high-grade promotion system and improve the
skill base of the Association.
Route 1 COMPETITIVE
PROMOTION TO 1ST DAN THROUGH TO 5th DAN: The current
competitive Dan grade scheme to 5th Dan will remain unchanged.
Route 2 TECHNICAL
DAN GRADE SCHEME: There will be no contest requirements
for this kind of promotion. However, candidates will be required
to show a very high level of technical knowledge, more than is
required under the current competitive and non-competitive promotions
schemes. Assessment will be by formal examination. Promotion will
be up to and including 5th Dan. The minimum entry grade for this
route will normally be competitive 1st Kyu. (Exceptional extenuating
circumstances will be considered)
PROMOTION TO 6TH
DAN: This will be by recommendation to the Board of
Directors by the Promotion Commission. An automatic annual high-grade
review policy will be in place; self-nominations will no longer
be accepted. For general information, the initial criteria for
consideration for promotion to 6th Dan will normally be as follows.
• Meet
the time requirements of the EJU policy
• Have
attained a competitive 3rd Dan
• Possess
the technical competence to hold such a high grade
• Have
held continuous BJA membership for 25 years or more
• Be of
suitable character to hold such a high grade in the British
Judo Association
PROMOTION TO 7TH
DAN: As per EJU policy, awarded by EJU having been submitted
by the BJA.
NB: An Outstanding performance
promotion is also possible this only at the discretion of the
Board of Directors.
NEW TECHNICAL DAN
GRADE SCHEME
The new Technical Dan Grade
Scheme includes 25 newly classified techniques known as ‘Kokusai-shiai-waza’,
or Innovative competition techniques, examples of which are included
here:
• Mae-daki-uranage
(front hug rear throw)
• Kata-sode-ashi-tsurikomi-goshi
(single sleeve and leg lifting drawing hip)
• Kata-sode-seoi-otoshi
(Single sleeve shoulder drop)
• Kata-eri-sode-tsurikomi-goshi
(single lapel sleeve lifting drawing hip)
• Ryo-ashi-tomoenage
(two feet circle throw)
The full list of newly
classified techniques is featured on
the file available to downland here.
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