10th Dan syllabus (Dan grades (USA Judo)). Red belt. Awarded by USA Judo. The procedures do not name belt colours. The colours shown are the international convention. USA Judo's dan grades, from 1st to 10th Dan, awarded on a recommendation processed through the candidate's state member organisation. Each grade from 1st to 8th Dan sets a minimum age, a minimum time in grade that contest points or a category of achievement can shorten, and recommended minimum requirements that include kata. The procedures treat time in grade as a minimum benchmark for review, and promotion is not automatic. 0 techniques are set for this grade. The official syllabus --------------------- Transcribed from USA Judo's published document. This wording is the authority for what is examined; everything above is this reference's own arrangement of it. Further criteria for Kudan and Judan ------------------------------------ 1. As a minimum, the applicant must be qualified as a Category A or A+ promotion candidate by: 2. having been a competitor on the Olympic or Paralympic Games or Senior or IBSA World Championships Team 3. having worked extensively as an IJF-A referee 4. having served on the board or as a committee head of the PJC or IJF 5. as a selected USA Judo head coach, led the team for the Olympic or Paralympic Games or Senior or IBSA World Championships 6. must have minimum IJF Continental referee license or USA Judo international coach certification which includes current SafeSport certification, concussion certification and clean background screen. Conditions for 9th and 10th Dan ------------------------------- 1. The 9th and 10th Dan can be awarded only to those who: 2. have been continuously involved in activities of judo such as competition, teaching, training, coaching, refereeing or administration. 3. have actively practiced judo. 4. have an exceptional personality, recognized for his/her charisma, radiance, ethics. 5. have an exceptional and unblemished career. 6. have been promoted gradually from 1st to 8th dan, without passing several “dan” at the same time. 7. have received their previous rank from USA Judo. 8. have become a top three medalist in any national–level tournament 9. are recommended by USA Judo Rank and Certification Committee 10. respect time limit between the grades and the minimum age meeting the criteria of the tables previously exposed. 11. be devoted to judo without interruption. 12. 9th and 10th Dan may only be granted upon the vote and approval of the USA Judo Board of Directors after receiving approval from USA Judo Rank & Certification Committee For 10th Dan ------------ 1. Minimum age of 70 years 2. 10 years since last promotion 3. Practical and demonstrated theoretical knowledge of all kata: Nage No Kata – Katame No Kata – Kime No Kata – Ju No Kata – Koshiki No Kata- Kodokan Goshin Jitsu in this reference: Nage-no-kata, Katame-no-kata, Kime-no-kata, Ju-no-kata, Koshiki-no-kata, Kodokan Goshin-jutsu Promotion recommendation ------------------------ 1. All promotion recommendations and applications for USA Judo Dan rank certificates should be processed through the applicant’s State member organization’s (Group B in good standing) Promotion Committee. 2. Recommendation for USA Judo Dan Promotion form with appropriate signatures 3. Complete history/judo resume (can submit supplements)/full competition record (with opponent ranks) if applying as active athlete “on points”. 4. Evidence of kata and technical demonstrations (documentation may include promotion exam, kata competition, kata and/or gokyo certification, and/or appropriate clinic/course certificates) in this reference: Gokyo no waza 5. Copies of previous rank certificates from USA Judo, USJA or USJF 6. Copies of special awards, recognition, etc. 7. Passport size photo with name on back (yodan and above) 8. Appropriate fees should be remitted payable to USA Judo. 9. Current USA Judo membership (note: for rokudan and above, applicant must have consistent membership for at least the previous four years) 10. Current SafeSport certification, clean background screen and concussion certification. 11. For ranks yodan and higher, all fully completed application packets will be submitted to the USA Judo Promotion Committee for review and approval. 12. Consideration for rokudan and above will only be reviewed during the in-person meetings that take place in conjunction with the USA Judo Senior National Championships and the USA Judo National President’s Cup Championships. Current fees ------------ 1. Judan $600.00 2. Applications for yodan and above will incur a $50 non-refundable fee. This fee will be included in the total application fee. Filmed for this grading ----------------------- USA Judo Promotion Recommendation Procedures (July 30, 2025) (USA Judo): https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blteb7d012fc7ebef7f/blt5298108bb39336d5/68daa06b4f6236c8bd762ecc/PromotionRecommendationProcedures-USA_Judo-CURRENT_7.30.2025.pdf Flashcards ---------- Drill the names before the day: an Anki deck for each grade turns the Japanese names into quick recall: https://wazabook.com/flashcards/ From Waza Book: https://wazabook.com/grades/usa-judo-dan/10th-dan/