Gradings

Bishops Stortford Judo Gradings

Club Gradings are held four times a year, by invitation only. Judoka will be invited to grade when their coaches decide that they are ready for promotion, and will be encouraged to grade on average once every 4 to 6 months.

To be considered for grade promotion judoka need to be training regularly, following the recommended BJA competition pathway and demonstrating the required improvements in randori. During the grading examination they will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the BJA Grading Syllabus.  

We will only conduct grading examinations for members of Bishops Stortford Judokwai, they must also have a valid BJA membership.

2019 Club Grading Dates

  • 17 Aug 2019 - TBC
  • 12 Oct 2019 - U8 Sho Grades - TBC
  • 13 Oct 2019 - Red & Yellow Belt Mon Grades - TBC
  • 23 Nov 2019 - Orange Belts & Above - TBC
BJA Sho, Mon and Kyu grading charges are included in your monthly club fees.

Please ensure that your BJA membership is kept in date, if this expires you are ineligible for gradings, remember to bring your BJA record book to club gradings.

British Judo Association Grading System

Promotion within the BJA Mon and Kyu grade system is based on technical ability, knowledge and understanding, together with Japanese terminology and supplementary knowledge.

With regular study and training, the junior judoka should be able to complete the Mon grade syllabus and attain the grade of 18th Mon (Brown Belt) by the age of 17 (a dedicated judoka may complete it as early as 15 years of age). The senior judoka should be able to complete the Kyu syllabus and attain the grade of 1st Kyu (Brown Belt) in approximately five years.

Judoka follow a progressive study of techniques detailed in the BJA Mon/Kyu Grade syllabus and attempt promotion to the next grade at regular intervals. These promotions are called gradings.

During a grading judoka are required to know the common English names and meaning of all Japanese terminology used for the grade they are being graded for. They are also required to practically demonstrate techniques required for that grading. Where appropriate they must also be able to discuss their reasons for their choice of technique, grip etc.

It is expected that the judoka follows the Recommended Competition and Randori Program as detailed in the BJA grading syllabus and has attained appropriate levels of achievement for each colour belt.

As judoka progress through the BJA Mon/Kyu Grade system the practical situation and examination process in which they demonstrate the required techniques becomes more stringent and greater in depth.

Gradings are usually carried out at the club the judoka is based at by a British Judo licensed Coach.

BJA Grading Syllabus

Click on the buttons to view the BJA Grading syllabuses.

Judoka aged 5 to 7 yrs are graded within the Judo Kids Sho Grade system​.
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Judoka aged 8 to 17 yrs are graded within the Mon Grade system.

Judoka aged +14 yrs are graded within Kyu Grade system.

BJA Grading Resources

Click on the buttons to view the BJA Mon and Kyu Grade Posters and BJA Mon and Kyu Grade Video Training Manual

English Descriptions

For promotion to all grades, candidates are required to know the common English names and meaning of all Japanese terminology used for the grade and, where appropriate, must be able to  discuss with the examiner the reasons for their choice of technique, grip etc.

Gokyo no Waza

The Gokyo no Waza is the standard syllabus of Judo throwing techniques, originated in 1895 at the Kodokan in Tokyo.