Judo is a martial art that is characterized by throws, holds, and submission techniques. Like other martial arts, it has a ranking system that signifies a student's proficiency in the art.
In Judo, this ranking system is represented by the colored belts that students wear during practice and competitions.
This blog post will take you through the ranking system of Judo belts, explaining how to obtain each belt and giving details as to how long it takes to obtain each belt.
Judo Grade Order
Judo Belt Colors:
- WHITE BELT
- YELLOW BELT
- ORANGE BELT
- GREEN BELT
- BLUE BELT
- BROWN BELT
- BLACK BELT
10 Kyu Grades - Mudansha
White Belt : The Beginning
10th Kyu
The white belt is the starting point for all Judo students.
It represents the beginning of the journey towards mastering the art of Judo.
To obtain a white belt, you must enroll in a Judo school and attend classes regularly.
The white belt is often given to students upon enrollment, and it signifies that the student is a beginner with no prior experience in Judo.
Yellow Belt: The First Step
9th Kyu
The yellow belt is the first official belt that a Judo student can obtain.
To earn a yellow belt, a student must demonstrate a basic understanding of Judo techniques and the ability to perform them correctly.
The student must also demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect towards their fellow students and instructors.
It usually takes about six months to a year of consistent practice to earn a yellow belt.
Orange Belt: The Intermediate Level
8th Kyu - 7th Kyu
The orange belt signifies that a student has progressed beyond the beginner stage and has developed a deeper understanding of Judo techniques.
To obtain an orange belt, a student must demonstrate proficiency in the basic throws and holds of Judo.
They must also have a better understanding of the principles of Judo and how to apply them during practice and competition.
It usually takes about a year to a year and a half to earn an orange belt.
Green Belt: Advancing to the Next Level
6th Kyu - 5th Kyu
The green belt signifies that a student has advanced to the next level of Judo.
To earn a green belt, a student must demonstrate proficiency in the advanced throws and holds of Judo.
They must also have a better understanding of the principles of Judo and how to apply them during practice and competition.
It usually takes about a year and a half to two years to earn a green belt.
Blue Belt: The Intermediate-Advanced Level
4th Kyu - 3rd Kyu
The blue belt represents the intermediate-advanced level of Judo.
To earn a blue belt, a student must have a high level of proficiency in Judo techniques and principles.
They must also have developed their own unique Judo style and be able to perform advanced techniques with precision and skill.
It usually takes about two to three years to earn a blue belt.
Brown Belt: The Expert Level
2nd Kyu - 1st Kyu
To obtain the brown belt in Judo, the student must have a good understanding of all previous techniques, as well as the ability to demonstrate new techniques such as sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques) and yoko-sutemi-waza (side sacrifice techniques).
At this level, students are expected to start refining their techniques and developing their own style of Judo.
The time required to obtain the brown belt is typically 3-4 years.
Black Belt : Professor Level
Dan Grades - 5 Degrees of Black Belt
The black belt is the highest level in Judo and is often seen as a symbol of mastery.
To obtain the black belt, a student must have a deep understanding of all Judo techniques, as well as the ability to apply them effectively in a variety of situations.
Students at this level are also expected to be able to teach Judo techniques to others.
The time required to obtain the black belt varies, but is typically at least 5-6 years.
Beyond the Black Belt:
While the black belt is often seen as the ultimate goal in Judo, some practitioners continue to train and improve their skills even after obtaining it.
Check Out the Judo Channel for more on this Martial Art.
Conclusion:
The ranking system in Judo is designed to provide students with a clear path to progress and improve their skills.
Each belt level represents a significant milestone in the student's journey, and requires dedication, hard work, and a deep understanding of the techniques and principles of Judo.
By following this path, students can not only improve their physical abilities, but also develop important life skills such as discipline, focus, and perseverance.