Spring 2021 Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Senior Promotional for Dan Ranks
On March 6, 2021, the Shufu Board of Examiners (BOE) will virtually review paperwork for dan ranks, in lieu of holding a face-to-face promotion event due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
Eligibility to Register for Promotion
All judoka must be a current member of the USJF, USJA, or USA Judo.
(USJF members are eligible to be promoted at this event. USJA or USA Judo members may request to be examined and have their results forwarded to the appropriate organization.)
For Shodan – current year plus one year prior membership in USJF
For Nidan and above – current year plus three years prior membership in USJF
Recommending Students for Promotion
Examinees must be recommended for promotion by their instructor.
In-Club Promotion Examination Form: All examinees from a dojo should be listed on this form that is submitted by the head instructor from each club to Miki Takemori, Chair of the Board of Examiners – ShufuBOEChair@gmail.com
See Shufu website under Promotions for form entitled “In-Club Promotion Examination Form”.
Sensei’s validation email: Due to the COVID-19 PHE, the following exception is being made for this promotion. The in-person demonstration and evaluation for dan ranks, normally performed by members of the BOE, is being allowed to be validated by the head Sensei.
Using the senior promotional requirements (“2021 Final Handbook with Added Techniques”) and the senior promotional score sheet on the Shufu website, under Promotions, a Sensei may determine and validate if the student meets the requirements for the required techniques, kata, and general knowledge. Once it is determined that the student meets the requirements, the sensei may submit an email to shufurankreg@gmail.com stating that their student has the knowledge and skills listed in the USJF requirements for the proposed rank.
Promotion Requirements In Effect
As approved by the Shufu Board of Examiners, Shufu applies the USJF promotion criteria.
See Shufu website, under Promotions for the document entitled “2021 Final Handbook Revision with Added Techniques”.
Note: After the promotion: USJF Promotional Fees: $125 for Shodan plus $25 for each rank step above Shodan, plus an additional $25 for Shichidan and Hachidan. (Instructions for how to pay to USJF Promotional Fees will be provided after the promotional) Life Members: $0
Documentation and Deadlines
Deadlines for Documentation
February 6, 2021:
Initial submission of Form 20.
Other documentation may start to be submitted at this time as well.
February 20, 2021:
Rest of documentation, completed/finalized Form 20, Sensei’s validation email
The Rank Registration Chair will work with candidate to identify and cure any problems with the Form 20, with that process to be completed at least 14 days before the promotional, i.e. Saturday, February 20, 2021.
If a Form 20 has not been submitted by Saturday, February 6, 2021, the Shufu Board of Examiners (BOE) will table the promotion request until the next promotional.
Documentation Due by Saturday, February 20, 2021
Electronic submission only:
Submit all documentation to Karen Whilden, Rank Registration Chair, at shufurankreg@gmail.com (See Shufu website under Promotions for how to submit each document.)
Sensei’s validation email
Form 20 – in final, complete, and editable format
USJF Membership card
Promotion certificate for current rank
USJF background check (for judoka 18 years of age and older)
Kata Scores (as required by the rank sought) *
Prior competition scores
Evaluation using a promotional score sheet by a kata judge or BOE member
Virtual evaluation by kata judge of BOE member
For this one time, a sensei statement / validation in the “sensei’s validation email” that the candidate has the required knowledge of the required kata(s).
For safety reasons due to COVID-19 public health emergency, additional exposure to individuals not normally associated with each other is not required.
Safe Sport certificate (for judoka 18 years of age and older) *
Other certificates (as required to decrease Time-in-Grade by the rank sought for non-competitors)
If the Form 20 has not been updated to cure all identified problems, and resubmitted by Saturday, February 20, 2021, the Shufu Board of Examiners will table the promotion request until the next promotional.
* If the final, complete, editable form 20, kata scores, Safe Sport certificate, CDC Heads Up certificate, CPR certificate, or First Aid certificate has not been submitted by Saturday, February 20, 2021, the Shufu Board of Examiners will table the promotion request until the next promotional.
No documentation will be accepted after Saturday, February 20, 2021.
BOE Review: All test results will be held for BOE review via a Zoom call on March 6, 2021.
Results: Results will be posted on the Shufu website by March 8th.
Meeting on March 6
Shufu Board of Examiners (BOE)
Time: 1 PM
Did you know that Shufu has an Athlete Funding Program?
Shufu’s Athlete Funding
Program provides reimbursement ($150 to $300) for athletes competing in National and
International level events. Juniors, Seniors, Masters/Veterans, and Kata competitors
can all apply to the Shufu Athlete Funding Program. If you have been a member of Shufu for at least 2 years and have participated in any of the events listed below, then you should consider applying for Shufu’s Athlete Funding Program!
2025 USA Judo Youth National Championships
2025 USA Junior Olympic National Championships
2025 USA Judo Senior National Championships
2025 USA Judo President’s Cup
2025 US Open
2025 USJF/USJA Nationals
2025 Pan American Cups or 2025 Pan American Championships
2025 IJF Point Events (Grand Prix, Grand Slams, or Championships)
Please note that these are not the only tournaments which will be considered for funding.
Please go to the Funding Support for Athletes link for the complete details.
Shufu Shinbun is BACK !
This newsletter is presented in memory of Malcolm Hodges who was a dedicated Shufu and Washington Judo Club member for many years and wrote and was the editor of the monthly Shufu Shinbun newsletter.