1st Dan syllabus (Dan grades (USA Judo)). Black 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. Recommended minimum requirements -------------------------------- 1. unquestioned moral character and maturity, 2. continued practice and interest, 3. minimum knowledge and skills in both randori and nagekomi practice, in this reference: Randori, Nagekomi 4. increased proficiency in all lower-rank requirements and in contest record, 5. proficient in the first 9 techniques of nage-no-kata for both men and women or Jushiki (10 of 15 Ju-no-kata) for women. in this reference: Nage-no-kata, Ju-no-kata Guideline for promotion requirements: minimum age and grade time ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Shodan: Min. Age 15; Grade Time: Non-Competitor 3 yrs.; Competitor 5 points 2 yrs.; 10 points 1 yr.; 15 points 9 mo.; 20 points 6 mo. Contest winning points: Randori-Contest --------------------------------------- 1. 2.0 points Win against opponent more than two ranks higher 2. 1.5 points Win against opponent more than one rank higher 3. 1.0 points Win against opponent of same rank 4. 0.5 points Win against opponent one rank lower 5. 0.1 points Win against opponent two ranks lower 6. 0.0 points Win against opponent three or more ranks lower Contest winning points: Kata-Contest ------------------------------------ 1. First Place 2.0 points National 1.0 points Regional/Local 2. Second Place 1.5 points National 0.75 point Regional/Local 3. Third Place 1.0 point Natonal 0.5 point Regional/Local 4. A maximum of 2.0 points may be counted per Kata tournament, regardless of the number of divisions. 5. No promotion points are earned for “walk-overs”, (e.g. 3rd place out of 3 teams). 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. Appropriate fees should be remitted payable to USA Judo. 8. Current USA Judo membership (note: for rokudan and above, applicant must have consistent membership for at least the previous four years) 9. Current SafeSport certification, clean background screen and concussion certification. 10. For ranks sandan and lower, complete application packets submitted above will be immediately reviewed and processed by USA Judo. Current fees ------------ 1. Shodan $150.00 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/1st-dan/