Shufu Judo Yudanshakai presents the Fall 2025 Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Junior and Senior Promotional Examination Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Beltsville Community Center 3900 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705 United States Judo Federation Sanction # Pending This event is Preregistration Only. There is no onsite registration. Eligibility to register for promotion All judoka must be a current member of the USJF or USJA . (USJF members are eligible to be promoted at this event. USJA 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 Promotion Requirements being used The Shufu Board of Examiners has implemented the changeover to the USJF promotional requirements. The 2024 Shufu Spring Promotional will follow the “2021 Final Handbook Revision with Added Techniques”, available on the Shufu website under Promotions. All ranks within Shufu’s promotion authority are required to do the physical testing, i.e. all ranks through and including Godan. Rokudan and above are not required to do physical testing; Kata requirements still apply as required for rank sought. [...]
This tournament will have Junior competition plus Ne-waza only matches for seniors. Check in at 9:00 – 9:30. 9:30 – 10:00 tournament rules clarification Q&A. Junior matches begin at 10:00. Senior check in at 1:00. Senior newaza matches begin between 1:00 – 1:30. USJF Sanction 25-11-10. Current USA Judo and USJA membership is allowed with proof of current membership. Member identification numbers and expiration dates required. Cost $35.00. Gold, silver and bronze medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Smoothcomp Information and Registration HERE
Shufu Judo Yudanshakai in cooperation with Memento Mori BJJ/Judo presents the Fall 2025 Shufu Judo Yudanshakai North Junior and Senior Promotional Examination Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Memento Mori BJJ/Judo Located at 152 South Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 United States Judo Federation Sanction:25-11-05 This event is Preregistration Only. There is no onsite registration. Key Deadlines These are HARD deadlines – no exceptions: Monday, September 15, 2025 – Earliest date to accept applications Thursday, October 16, 2025 – First deadline for Dan paperwork (Initial submission of Editable Form 20) Saturday, November 1, 2025 – –FINAL DEADLINE for all judoka (Juniors, Seniors, Kyu, Dan) to be registered, with FULLY COMPLETED paperwork due, including an Editable Form 20 for Dan ranks, submitted to Miki Takemori at Mtakemori@aol.com, to Shufu Board of Examiners Chair Kevin Tamai at ShufuBOEChairman.Kevin@gmail.com, and (for Dan ranks only) to Shufu Rank Registration Chair Karen Whilden at – Shufurankreg@gmail.com Saturday, November 15 – Promotion day Eligibility to register for promotion All judoka must be a current member of the USJF or USJA. (USJF members are eligible to be promoted at this event. USJA members may request to be examined and have their results[...]
As a Yudanshakai of the United States Judo Federation, Shufu holds USJF rank promotional events twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, in both Shufu Central and Shufu North. Shufu follows the USJF promotion requirements.
(Note: Current members of USJA 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
Fees:
Shufu promotion examination fee: $65
USJF promotion fees: $125 for Shodan, $180 for Nidan, $230 for Sandan, $250 for Yodan, $280 for Godan, $300 for Rokudan, $350 for Shichidan, $400 for Hachidan.
Note: Life members do not pay the USJF promotion fee.
Kodokan promotion fees (if applying): The US Kodokan Committee will send the applicant a final statement including promotion fee, postage and bank fees. Note: The Kodokan does not change these fees. However, the exchange rate between the US dollar and Japanese yen may change from time to time.
Summary of all documents to be submitted
Submit documentation/information to Karen Whilden, Shufu Rank Registration Chair at shufurankreg@gmail.com
Note: Only electronic submissions are accepted
1. Proof of USJF membership
Scan of current USJF membership card
2. Proof of current rank
a. Ikkyu rank: Scan of signed dojo certificate
b. USJF dan rank: Scan of rank card or certificate
c. Non-USJF dan rank: Scan of rank documentation from promoting organization
Note: To submit a USA Judo background check, email a snip of your Sport:80 account that includes the logo (USA Judo or Sport:80) that it is a background check, your name, and the expiration date.
4. Form 20
Must be in an editable format so that the Shufu Rank Registration Chair is able to sign it electronically.
Note: if a Form 20 has not been submitted by 30 days in advance of the promotional date, or revised as needed by 14 days in advance of the promotional date, the Shufu Board of Examiners will table the promotion request until the next promotional.
Kata must be scored by a national or higher level certified kata judge in the kata to be tested, a national level certified kata instructor in the kata to be tested, or a member of the Shufu Board of Examiners.
6. Certificates (required)
Note 1: For USA Judo Sport:80, click on green “Current” to obtain the certificate
Note 2: For USA Judo Sport:80 but without a certificate, email a snip of your Sport:80 account that includes the logo (USA Judo or Sport:80), the type of certificate (e.g., CDC Heads Up), your name, and the expiration date.
ii.CDC Heads Up certificate for application through USJF
Note: Cert is good for 2 years.
Eligible concussion training:
Accepted by USJF: CDC Heads Up or NFHS
Note: USJF does not accept the NAYS concussion training. Therefore, applicants who need to satisfy the requirements of USA Judo should take the CDC Heads Up training.
b. Nidan and above:
CPR and First Aid certificate(s) – Choose an Internet-based program. There will be a small fee.
c. Other Certificates – For noncompetitors only, to reduce time-in-grade
i. See senior promotion requirements ii. See USJF website (www.usjf.com/certificates) for additional options including Teacher certification (online), Coaches certification (online), Kata Development and certification (in person), and Self Defense certification (online and in person)
7. Recommendation to be promoted
The candidate’s sensei sends in an email recommending them for promotion to the rank for which they are applying.
8. Register for the promotion
Access the promotional flyer located on the Shufu website. Scroll down to the section entitled ‘Registration and Fees’ to access the online registration and waiver.
9. Belt size (Shodan only)
Shufu provides a black belt to successful candidates for Shodan. Submit an email stating your belt size.
Post-Promotion Steps
USJF process after promotional is over:
1. Shufu Rank Registration Chair:
a. After the promotional (usually the same day), the paperwork for all the candidates who passed is emailed to USJF. b. The Rank Registration Chair informs the candidates to call USJF and pay the USJF promotion rank fees.
2. Candidate:
Calls USJF at 541-889-8753 and pays the rank fees: $125 for Shodan, $180 for Nidan, $230 for Sandan, $250 for Yodan, $280 for Godan, $300 for Rokudan, $350 for Shichidan, $400 for Hachidan.
Note: Life members do not pay the USJF promotion fee.
3. USJF process:
Once USJF determines all is in order, they print the USJF rank certificates and USJF rank cards, and mail them to the Chair of the Shufu Board of Examiners.
4. Shufu BOE chair:
Signs the certificates and sends the certificate and rank card to each candidate.
5. Candidate:
Emails the Shufu Rank Registration Chair that they have received both their USJF rank certificate and their USJF rank card.
6. Shufu Rank Registration Chair:
Closes out your promotion, returns your Form 20 to you, and deletes all your promotion correspondence and files.
7. You officially have your new rank!
Applying for Kodokan rank (optional):
1. Rank Registration Chair:
After closing out your Shufu/USJF promotion, you are sent a link to the US Kodokan Committee so you can apply for a Kodokan rank.
2. Candidate:
a. Informs Rank Registration Chair via email if they want to apply for a Kodokan rank certificate or not.
Note: The Kodokan does not jump promote. You must apply for ranks in order. If your USJF and Kodokan ranks are out of sync you must wait for the Kodokan’s time-in-grade to pass before applying for the next rank.
b. Fills out the form located on the US Kodokan Committee website: uskodokancommittee.com c. Uses the Contact button to ask questions on their process. d. Submits their form, $20, and a copy of their USJF rank certificate by standard mail. e. Informs Rank Registration Chair via email that they have submitted their application.
3. US Kodokan Committee:
a. Reviews your documentation. b. Informs you what the Kodokan promotion fees will be.
4. Candidate:
Pays the fees.
5.US Kodokan Committee:
Sends your application to the Kodokan.
6.Kodokan:
Reviews the application, prints the Kodokan rank certificate and mails it to the candidate.
7. Candidate:
After receiving the Kodokan rank certificate, the candidate emails the Shufu Rank Registration Chair confirming its receipt.
8. Done!!! Your Kodokan rank will be respected worldwide.
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.
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. If you have been a member of Shufu for at least 2 years and have participated in national or international events, then you should consider applying for Shufu’s Athlete Funding Program. Juniors, Seniors, Masters/Veterans, and Kata competitors can all apply to the Shufu Athlete Funding Program. Please see the Funding Support for Athletes link below for the complete details on the Shufu Athlete Funding Program.
SafeSport Certification is now required for all USJF registered clubs. If you have already completed the course and submitted a copy of your certificate, you do not need to resubmit. For more information or to take the course, please visit https://athletesafety.org/
Heads Up concussion training, through the CDC’s website, is a requirement for all members of your USJF registered club who function as teachers at any time. Please advise all of your instructors and assistant instructors of this requirement. The training can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/
Hilaire Notewo Seeking Donations for Judo Programs in the Ivory Coast, Needs Gis and Equipment
Longtime Shufu Judo member Hilaire Notewo is planning to relocate to Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Africa in late November/December. He will be supporting judo programs, but equipment (esp. judo uniforms) are difficult to come by. Hilaire is looking for gently used judo gis and other equipment. Hilaire will also be visiting and donating goods to orphanages. Should you have gently used shoes, clothes for teenagers, youths, and toddlers, kindly make them available to Hilaire.
If you would like to donate to this effort, you can send your donation to the following address: