Judo Ranks
Achievement in Judo is recognized by a series of ranks.
The student ranks are called kyu and are usually differentiated by colored belts (obi).
Different colors may be used around the world and in some countries there are more than 6 kyu ranks.
The ten black belt, or expert, ranks are called dan.
Click HERE to see version for printing.
How to Tie a Judo Belt (Obi)
Click HERE to read more about Judo Rank System.
Click HERE to read about belt colors and ranking tradition.
Click HERE to see Profiles of Kodokan 10th Dan Holders.
Click HERE to see Black Belts promoted by Sensei Louis LaPila.
The traditional Judo ranks are:
Judo Rank |
Belt Color |
English |
Japanese |
Junior |
Senior |
|
6th grade |
Rokyu |
六級 |
|
|
5th grade |
Gokyu |
五級 |
|
|
4th grade |
Yonkyu |
四級 |
|
|
3rd grade |
Sankyu |
三級 |
|
|
2nd grade |
Nikyu |
二級 |
|
|
1st grade |
Ikkyu |
一級 |
|
|
|
1st degree |
Shodan |
初段 |
|
2nd degree |
Nidan |
二段 |
|
3rd degree |
Sandan |
三段 |
|
4th degree |
Yodan |
四段 |
|
5th degree |
Godan |
五段 |
|
6th degree |
Rokudan |
六段 |
|
7th degree |
Shichidan |
七段 |
|
8th degree |
Hachidan |
八段 |
|
9th degree |
Kudan |
九段 |
|
10th degree |
Judan |
十段 |
|