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Promotion Committee

USJF Promotion Committee

The Promotion Committee has the duty to consider all promotion applications that fall outside the jurisdiction of the candidate’s Yudanshakai and presents its recommendations to the USJF Board of Examiners concerning the application.

The committee constitutes the nominated delegates from the member Yudanshakai, whose rank is Godan or higher for men and Yodan for women. The Promotion Committee is led and supported by a Chair, Vice-Chair and a Secretary.

Current Officers

Hayward Nishioka (Nanka) Chair

Tom Sheehan (Konan), Vice Chair
Richard Nakatsu (JBBH), Secretary

Promotion Committee Members: 2022 - 2024

Promotion Committee Members 2022 – 2024

Type of Seat YDK Member
Large YDK Seat 50th State Ray Imada
Large YDK Seat Central Coast Calvert Kitaura
Large YDK Seat Daiheigen Dr. Kuniko Takeuchi
Large YDK Seat Hawaii Richard Natkatsu – Secretary
Large YDK Seat Hudson Anthony Catanese
Large YDK Seat Nanka Hayward Nishioka – Chair
Large YDK Seat Northwest Michael Purcell
Elected Shufu Kevin Tamai
Elected Intermountain Josh Kindelberger
Elected Hokka Matsuo Takeda
Elected Konan Tom Sheehan – Vice Chair
Appointed San Joaquin Larry Tsutsui
Appointed Niagara Janet Johnson

 

Rank Requirements Recommendations

Rank Requirements - Hachidan

 Hachidan

  • Minimal Age: 42 years old
  • Minimal Time in Grade: Time in grade as Shichidan, 19 years
  • General requirements: Unquestioned moral character and maturity.
  • Continued practice and involvement in judo.
  • Terminology required for lower ranks,
  • With increased proficiency in all lower rank requirements
  • Good understanding of and skill teaching certification
  • Major levels of refereeing and judging (shiai and/or kata),
  • First Aid, CPR, Safe Sport and CDC Heads Up Certification
  • Kata: (Competitor) Koshiki no Kata (tori & uke)
  • Additional Requirements
    • Demonstrative moral characters and skills such as:
    • Ability to inspire and organize
    • Recognition for a lifetime of Judo
    • Being a life coach
    • Being an extraordinary individual
  • A written statement of specific experiences and contributions beyond the State level, as an inspirational and developmental influence through this promotion period, should be included in the Form 20, either produced by the candidate or by the Yudanshakai nominating the candidate

Rank Requirements - Kudan

Kudan

 Nomination for Kudan: Requires no less than 50% of Yudanshakais represented on the Promotion Committee at the time of nomination. Each Yudanshakai joining in a Kudan nomination shall have its action pre-approved by its Yudanshakai Board of Directors prior to submission.

Minimal Time in grade: Candidates for Kudan shall have held USJF rank of Hachidan. No minimum time in grade is required

When Kudan Nomination may be considered: Candidates for Kudan may be considered by the Promotional Committee and Board of Examiners only at the annual (Spring) corporate meeting in even numbered years (i.e. 2022, 2024, etc.)

Approval or Tabling: A vote of 90% of both the Promotional Committee and the Board of Examiners shall be required for approval of Kudan rank. No Kudan application can be rejected. Any Kudan promotion not approved must be tabled. Tabled Kudan applications may be taken from the table for reconsideration at the next scheduled meeting according to the timing limitation set forth here in above; or may be withdrawn at any time by the Yudanshakai responsible for its original submission.

Consistent USJF Yudanshakai Loyalty: Absence of consistent LIFE-LONG loyalty can be considered one reason for tabling a candidate for Kudan application.

General Requirements: Unquestioned moral character and maturity.

▪ Continued practice and involvement in judo.

▪ Mastery of the principles and philosophies of Judo

▪ Substantial contribution to Judo and to society

▪ Major levels of contribution to Judo organizations

▪ A lifetime of achievements in Judo

▪ First Aid, CPR, Safe Sport and CDC Heads Up Certification

A written statement of specific experiences and contributions beyond the National level, as an inspirational and developmental influence through this promotion period, should be included in the Form 20, either produced by the candidate or by the Yudanshakai nominating the candidate.

Rank Requirements - Judan

Judan

Nomination for Judan:  Requires the affirmative nominations of no less than 50% of Yudanshakais represented on the Promotion Committee at the time of nomination. Each Yudanshakai joining in a Judan nomination shall have its action pre-approved by its Yudanshakai Board of Directors to submission.

Minimal Time in grade: Candidates for Judan shall have held USJF rank of Kudan for no less than 10 years. There shall be no Judan promotion awarded to any candidate not holding USJF Kudan rank.

When Judan Nomination may be considered: Candidates for Kudan may be considered by the Promotional Committee and Board of Examiners only at the annual (Spring) corporate meeting in even numbered years (i.e. 2022, 2024, etc.)

Approval or Tabling: A vote of 100% of both the Promotional Committee and the Board of Examiners shall be required for approval of Judan rank. No Judan application can be rejected.

Any Judan promotion not approved must be tabled. Tabled Judan applications may be taken from the table for reconsideration at the later scheduled meetings according to the timing limitation set forth here in above; or may be withdrawn at any time by the Yudanshakai responsible for its original submission.

Lifelong USJF Yudanshakai Loyalty: Absence of consistent lifelong loyalty can be considered one reason for tabling a candidate for Judan.

General Requirements: Criteria include multiple factors including e.g. highest level of lifetime achievements in judo, leadership achievements in judo, leadership contributions at all levels of USJF judo, long record of the highest level of competition, coaching, officiating successes, unimpeachable character.

Major contributions in multiple areas of judo development, promotion, support, published Judo works, etc. First Aid, CPR, Safe Sport and CDC Heads Up Certification. The USJF Promotional Committee makes the recommendation to the Board of Examiners. 

Significant lifetime achievements in Judo must be indicated in an attachment to the Form 20 prepared either by the candidate or by the nominating Yudanshakai