4th 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 involvement in Judo, 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. non competitors must have a minimum current USA Judo regional referee license, or USA Judo coach certification 6. proficient in Nage-no-kata or Ju-no-kata, plus Katame-no-kata, and either Kime-no-kata or Kodokan Goshin-jitsu. in this reference: Nage-no-kata, Ju-no-kata, Katame-no-kata, Kime-no-kata, Kodokan Goshin-jutsu Guideline for promotion requirements: minimum age and grade time ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Yodan: Min. Age 21; Grade Time: Non-Competitor 8 yrs.; Competitor 5 points 5 yrs.; 10 points 3 yrs.; 15 points 2 yrs.; 20 points 1 yr. 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). Yodan and above: time in grade by category ------------------------------------------ 1. Yodan: Category A+ 4 Years; Category A 5 Years; Category B 6 Years; Category C 7 Years; Category D 8 Years Category definitions -------------------- 1. The following exceptions to baseline time-in-grade requirements for promotion will be made for certain candidates based upon their accomplishments in judo: 2. CATEGORY A+: An approximate reduction of 50% of the time-in-grade requirement is authorized for the following individuals: 3. Competitors who placed in the top three in the Olympic Games or Senior World Championship 4. Appointed Head Coach of an Olympic Games or Senior World Team which produced an Olympic or Senior World Championships medalist. 5. IJF-A Referees who worked the Olympic Games or the Final Block of the Senior World Championships 6. CATEGORY A: An approximate reduction of 40% of the time-in-grade requirement is authorized for the following Individuals: 7. Competitors who were members of an Olympic or Senior World Team, or who placed in the top three of the Paralympic Games or Disabled Sports World Championships 8. Referees who achieved IJF-A status and worked extensively in international competition (outside the USA) 9. Appointed Head Coach of the Olympic Games or Senior World Championships Team 10. Officials who served on the board or working committee of the IJF or PJC 11. CATEGORY B: An approximate reduction of 30% of the time-in-grade requirement is authorized for the following Individuals: 12. Competitors who represented their country as members of the Paralympic Games or Disabled Sports World Championships Team 13. Referees who achieved IJF-B status and worked internationally with that license level 14. Competitors who placed in the top three of the Kata World Championships 15. Competitors who placed in the top three of the Veterans World Championships 16. Appointed national coaches who oversaw a competitor who placed in the top three of the Paralympic Games or Disabled Sports World Championship 17. Club coaches who produced competitors who were members of a selected USA National Team 18. Officials who served on the board of directors, or chaired a committee, of USA Judo 19. CATEGORY C: An approximate reduction of 15% of the time-in-grade requirement is authorized for the following Individuals: 20. Competitors who placed in the top three of the U.S. Senior National Championship 21. Kata competitors who placed in the top three of the Pan American Championships 22. Referees and Kata Judges who achieved national level status and worked nationally at that license level 23. Appointed national coaches who oversaw competitors who placed in the top three of the Kata World Championships 24. Appointed national coaches, and managers, of US National Teams 25. Coaches who produced a competitor who placed in the top three of the U.S. Senior National Championship 26. Officials who were officers of their USA Judo State Organization 27. Officials who served actively and consistently as appointed members of USA Judo Committees (generally for a minimum of 2 years) 28. CATEGORY D: All other candidates will be considered upon review of their individual judo accomplishments, service, and merits. 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. Current fees ------------ 1. Yodan $300.00 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/4th-dan/