Shufu Judo Yudanshakai presents the Spring 2026 Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Junior and Senior Promotional Examination Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Beltsville Community Center 3900 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705 United States Judo Federation Sanction # 26-04-03 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, USJA, or USA Judo . (USJF members are eligible to be promoted at this event. USJA and 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 Promotion Requirements being used The Shufu Board of Examiners has implemented the changeover to the USJF promotional requirements. The 2026 Shufu Spring Promotional will follow the “2021 USJF Senior Rank Promotion Requirements”, 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[...]
Register HERE for the Takemori/Kashiwazaki Clinic Waivers will be available on site. For minor judoka unaccompanied by a parent or guardian, please have the parent or legal guardian download, print, and sign Waiver to bring to this event.
DON’T MISS THIS CLINIC!! Former World Champion and “Godfather of Newaza” Katzuhiko KASHIWAZAKI coming to DC Area on May 9th and 10th. Register HERE. NOW.
Important Message from Shufu Board of Examiners Chair Miki Takemori
August 11, 2018
In the process of changing Shufu Promotional guidelines to the USJF standards, it was discovered that the USJF standards contain inconsistencies, repetitions and/or forgotten techniques. The USJF Board of Examiner (Mac Takeda) and USJF Promotional Chair (Hayward Nishioka) were contacted to get some clarification.
The USJF promotional guidelines have apparently not been revised in over 30 years. It was decided that an Ad Hoc Committee would look at those guidelines and provide some feedback on making adjustments. I have been made Chair of this Ad Hoc Committee of 5 people. We are diligently going through the material and making adjustments.
At the request of the Shufu Executive Committee, the Shufu Board of Examiners was contacted. We have requested a delay in implementing the USJF Promotional standards until USJF has had a chance to revise their standards. Of the 31 members of the Board of Examiners, 21 have voted to delay. Two have expressed a concern about the delay and eight have not voted.
By the majority vote, Shufu is delaying the implementation of the USJF promotional standards and will be using the existing Shufu promotional guidelines for the Fall Shufu Promotional onNovember 4th.
Given that Senseis and individuals may have instructed and prepared based on the Spring decision to adopt the USJF guidelines, I will recommend to the Board of Examiners to exercise discretion and to be flexible when appropriate.
Miki Takemori
Chair
Shufu Board of Examiners
Sensei Edwin Takemori Retiring as USNA Coach
Sunday, May 3, 2026 at NOON at USNA, Annapolis, MD
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. 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.
