Judo Belt Ranking System

Judo Belt Ranks in Jacksonville, FL | JJTC

Junior Judo Belt Ranks and Age Requirements

The JJTC junior judo ranking system is generally used for students ages 4–16. Students must meet the minimum attendance requirement for each belt before they are eligible to test or be considered for promotion. Age and attendance establish eligibility; every promotion still requires technical readiness and instructor approval.

  1. 01

    Juichikyu

    White BeltMinimum age 4Attendance: Starting rankTime-in-grade: Starting rank
  2. 02

    Jukyu

    White/Yellow BeltMinimum age 5Minimum attendance: 20 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 2 months
  3. 03

    Kyukyu

    Yellow BeltMinimum age 5Minimum attendance: 30 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 3 months
  4. 04

    Hachikyu

    Yellow/Orange BeltMinimum age 6Minimum attendance: 35 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 3 months
  5. 05

    Nankyu

    Orange BeltMinimum age 7Minimum attendance: 40 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 4 months
  6. 06

    Rokkyu

    Orange/Green BeltMinimum age 8Minimum attendance: 50 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 5 months
  7. 07

    Gokyu

    Green BeltMinimum age 10Minimum attendance: 60 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 6 months
  8. 08

    Yonkyu

    Green/Blue BeltMinimum age 11Minimum attendance: 65 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 7 months
  9. 09

    Sankyu

    Blue BeltMinimum age 12Minimum attendance: 75 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 7 months
  10. 10

    Nikyu

    Blue/Purple BeltMinimum age 13Minimum attendance: 85 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 8 months
  11. 11

    Ikkyu

    Purple BeltMinimum age 14Minimum attendance: 95 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 1 year
  12. 12

    Junior Shodan

    Black BeltMinimum age 14Attendance: Not specifiedTime-in-grade: Not specified
Junior safety standards: Students younger than 13 do not practice choking techniques. Joint-locking techniques are restricted to students age 17 and older. Students age 14 and older may transition into the adult ranking system at the instructors’ discretion.

Adult Judo Belt Ranking System

The JJTC adult judo ranking system begins at age 14 and provides a progressive path from white belt to black belt. Required attendance and time-in-grade must be completed before promotion consideration.

  1. 01

    Juichikyu

    White BeltMinimum age 14Attendance: Starting rankTime-in-grade: Starting rank
  2. 02

    Kyukyu

    Yellow BeltMinimum age 14Minimum attendance: 30 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 3 months
  3. 03

    Nanakyu

    Orange BeltMinimum age 14Minimum attendance: 40 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 4 months
  4. 04

    Gokyu

    Green BeltMinimum age 14Minimum attendance: 60 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 6 months
  5. 05

    Yonkyu

    Blue BeltMinimum age 14Minimum attendance: 65 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 7 months
  6. 06

    Sankyu

    Brown Belt 3Minimum age 14Minimum attendance: 75 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 7 months
  7. 07

    Nikyu

    Brown Belt 2Minimum age 14Minimum attendance: 85 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 8 months
  8. 08

    Ikkyu

    Brown Belt 1Minimum age 14Minimum attendance: 95 classesMinimum time-in-grade: 12 months
  9. 09

    Shodan

    Black BeltMinimum age 14Attendance: Not specifiedMinimum time-in-grade: 2 years as Ikkyu

The white, yellow, and orange adult ranks incorporate the corresponding junior requirements. Beginning with Gokyu, students follow the adult senior promotion requirements. Brown belt includes three ranks: Sankyu, Nikyu, and Ikkyu. Shodan means “beginning degree” and marks the start of advanced study, leadership, teaching, and service.

Active competitors may qualify for accelerated promotion based on documented competition participation, results, performance, technical development, and instructor approval.

How Judo Belt Promotions Work at JJTC

Active competitor advancement: Students who actively compete may be promoted faster based on their competition participation, performance, results, technical development, and the instructors’ evaluation. Competition does not guarantee promotion; accelerated advancement remains subject to instructor approval.

Attendance is mandatory for promotion. Students must complete the applicable required number of classes and minimum time-in-grade shown for their belt. Meeting these requirements establishes eligibility; it does not automatically guarantee promotion. JJTC instructors also consider:

  • Technical knowledge and execution
  • Ukemi and safe training habits
  • Randori performance
  • Attendance and consistency
  • Respect, discipline, and character
  • Judo terminology, history, and rules
  • Leadership and dojo contributions
  • Readiness for the next rank

Jacksonville Judo Belt Ranking FAQ

What age can children start judo at JJTC in Jacksonville?

The junior ranking system begins with white belt for children ages 4–5. Advancement depends on the child’s development, participation, behavior, and instructor approval.

What age does the adult judo ranking system begin?

The adult ranking system begins at age 14. JJTC instructors determine when a junior student is prepared to transition.

Does reaching the minimum age guarantee promotion?

No. Age and training benchmarks establish eligibility only. Technical proficiency, attendance, maturity, safety, knowledge, and character are also evaluated.