Types of Judo Belts

Colored judo belts were introduced by the Japanese, and were related to the age of the student. The following article will cover all the required information related to these belts, that identify the competence level of an individual.

Achievements in judo are recognized by the series of ranks one earns. Student ranks are called kyu, and are differentiated with the help of colored belts called obi. After one passes through the ‘kyu’ level or below black belt level ‘grades’, they move on to the black belt level ‘degrees’. These degrees are known as dan. The system of varyingly-colored belts signifying the wearer’s grade was invented by an early judo exponent Mikonosuke Kawaishi. Kawaishi was proficient in jujitsu and judo, and taught judo in England and France. He felt that, since judo was based upon the Oriental Japanese culture, it needed some tweaks to attract more Westerners. The grade system caught on in France, and helped spread judo in the West. The Westernized style promoted by Kawaishi, came to be known after him as the Kawaishi Ryu Jujitsu.

Judogi

A judo uniform can be white or blue in color, and is made from cotton fabric. It is called the Judogi, and includes white cotton drawstring pants and a white quilted cotton jacket that is fastened by a colored judo belt. The colors are indicative of the kyu or dan rank.

In Europe, Canada, Australia

• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Green
• Blue
• Brown
• Black
• White and Red
• Red

In Australia, the 6th, 7th, and 8th dan have alternating red and white panels called the dandara. The 9th and 10th dan are solid red in color. Those who have grades over the 5th dan (godan) wear plain black belts. A few countries use colored tips on the belts for the junior levels, and belts for women have a white stripe along the center

In Brazil

• White
• Blue
• Orange
• Green
• Purple
• Brown
• Black
• White and Red
• Red

Those who have achieved the 6th, 7th, and 8th dan wear alternating red and white panels. The 9th and 10th dan holders wear solid red belts. Children under the age of 11 or 13 years may be given a gray belt before the blue.

According to United States Judo Federation (USJF)

According to United States Judo Association (USJA)

Order and Ranking

You will find that there is no standardized belt color and ranking. A person reaches the level of black belt after years of practice, and can perform either nage no kata, gokyo no waza, and the newaza techniques.