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Mar 14, 2026

Judo Alberta June Yudansha Grading

Date: Saturday June 6, 2026

Time: 10:00 am  

Location:  Tolide Judo Club, Dow Centennial Centre, 8700-84 Street, Fort Saskatchewan

1. All candidates for Competitive and Technical stream must enter their application into the on-line system https://judocanada.org/grading/ no LATER than April 23, 2026.
2. Refer to the Judo Alberta website https://judoalberta.com/index.php/grading-kata/ for information about black belt grading and the National Grading Syllabus. Note that competitive stream grading candidates, for nidan or higher, will need to meet their kata clinic requirements by attending one of the designated scheduled kata clinics prior to the actual date of the grading.
3. Competitive stream candidates going for Shodan must also undergo a formal grading.
4. It will be important that the level of kata at any grading is high to recognize the importance of the black belt. If the kata demonstrated at a Yudansha Grading is lacking, the candidate will need to repeat before being promoted. Have a competent kata partner.
5. Candidates should obtain their head instructor’s approval before making the application. Both have a responsibility to ensure the information entered is accurate and verified. Do not claim for ineligible tournaments (competitive) or for partial years.
6. Shodan candidates have the responsibility of ensuring their ikkyu (brown belt) registration date agrees with the Judo Alberta registrar’s records (as evidenced by the Judo Alberta Certificate of Promotion). Contact the Judo Alberta Registrar if any questions.
7. All candidates must have a Judo Canada passport and bring it to the grading. Failure to do so will result in the application being withheld. If you need to order a passport, then go to https://judocanada.org/judo-canada-passport/  
8. No electronic recording during any Yudansha grading session. However, grading sessions are open to the public.

Any yudansha candidates in the Competitive Stream are reminded to contact Gord Okamura, Chairman of the Provincial Kata Committee (at gyokamura@gmail.com) and inform him what kata clinics they will need for their next promotion. The deadline for contacting is March 26. This only applies to Competitive Stream candidates going for Nidan and higher. For further details, please see the announcement that was posted on the Judo Alberta website on January 8 “Update Kata Clinic Requirements for Competitive Stream Gradings“.

By judoab Events, Feature

Feb 27, 2026

Nage no Kata Clinic

Time: Sunday April 19, 2026 12:30 – 4 pm (after Interprovincial Training Camp)
Location: Tolide Judo Kwai – Dow Centennial Centre, 84 St. & 87 Ave. Fort Saskatchewan

Getting ready for grading? Judo Alberta is hosting a clinic on Nage no Kata after the April Interprovincial Training camp, at the same dojo! While our focus will be on helping candidates to prepare their kata for upcoming gradings, this clinic will be beneficial for competitors, sensei who teach kata at their dojo, and those who want to improve their Nage no Kata.

This clinic will be the last opportunity for Alberta Competitive Stream yudansha grading candidates to achieve their credit before the June Grading (see Updated Kata Clinic Requirements for Competitive Stream Gradings).

Registration Fee: $20 registration fee plus processing

Register online at https://registration.judocanada.org/event/judo-alberta-nage-no-kata-clinic/1004497

If you have any questions, please contact Gord Okamura at gokamura@gmail.com

By judoab Events, Feature

Feb 19, 2026

2025 Katsuta Kup Judo Championship

DATE & TIME:  Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM

LOCATION:  Raymond High School

WEIGH INS:  Friday, May 1, 2026 6pm to 730pm, Raymond High School for U14 & U16

Remote weigh- ins – Friday, May 1, 2026 (6-7pm)

• Hiro’s Judo Club (#115 1919 – 27th Ave NE, Calgary AB)
• Lethbridge Kyodokan Judo Club (2775 28th Ave S, Lethbridge, AB)
• Barracuda Judo Club (1373B Hunter Street, Pincher Creek, AB) 

U10, U12 online registration weights must be verified by club Sensei and any changes must be submitted by April 24, 2026 to dawniwaasa@gmail.com and judoclub@raymond.ca. 

U10 / U12 judoka must be checked in by 9:00 AM Saturday, prior to the tournament. Judo souvenir will be given to all contestants.

REGISTRATION:

• $40 /contestant
• Contestants can only compete in one Division.
• Entry fees are non-refundable, unless event is canceled.
• Entry deadline is April 23, 2026. No late entries will be accepted.
• This is a pre-registration tournament only.
• No phone entries. No registrations accepted at weigh-ins or check in. 
• Please register online at: https://registration.judocanada.org/event/2026-katsuta-kup-judo-championship/1004437/?admin=1 

QUESTIONS:  Contact Dawn Iwaasa at judoclub@raymond.ca or 403-315-0839

ELIGIBILITY:  Minimum belt rank is Yellow (Gokyu).

HEAD REFEREE: Ralph VanWerkhoven

Referee Registration: https://registration.judocanada.org/event/katsuta-kup-referees/1004431/

TOURNAMENT FORMAT for U14 and U16: 

• 2 competitors – best 2 out of 3
• 3 competitors – round robin
• 4 & more competitors – True double knockout.

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES & RULES:

IJF contest rules will be applied, with Judo Canada modifications per their current SANCTIONING POLICY & TOURNAMENT STANDARDS with Judo Alberta approved modifications.  The Judo Canada document is available at: https://static.judocanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Sanctioning-policy-2025-2026_September2025_EN_compressed.pdf

FORMAT FOR U10 & U12:

In keeping with the directions of Sports Canada and Judo Canada, Judo Alberta is following the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. This model states that athletes in the U10 and U12 divisions should be at the stage of skill development, with introduction to the natural consequences of competition.

U10

In the U10 category the tournament will consist of randori sessions of two minutes duration. The clock will continue for the full two minutes unless the referee calls for a pause for explanations or fixing judogis. If one competitor completely dominates, the match may be stopped early, at the discretion of the referee. The contest will not necessarily end when one competitor scores 2 Ippons. At the discretion of the referee, the contest may continue beyond 2 ippons until time expires or a mismatch develops. Contest winners are not indicated at the end of the contest. All participants will receive awards

U12

In the U12 category the tournament will consist of contest sessions of two minutes duration. Time will be stopped when there is a break (matte). When an ippon is scored, the match will be stopped. Winners of match are determined and indicated in U12. All participants will receive awards.

**Note: In both the U10 and U12 division, there will be no specified weight divisions, and children are paired with closest weight with a maximum of 15% weight difference. Mixed gender matches are allowed and may occur if there are inadequate numbers for single gender competition. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

-The tournament director reserves the right to make changes where necessary. This may include combining novice and advanced divisions.

-Weight divisions may be combined as per waiver. 

-Belt groups may be combined as per waiver.

-For divisions where there is only one competitor the Tournament Chairman or Director may permit exhibition matches provided the separation of the contestants is no more than one weight division higher or lower.

-Blue judogi optional for U10, U12, and U14 divisions. White judogi is mandatory for first name called for a match. Judoka must have a white judogi available.                                            

-Females must wear a plain white tee shirt under judogi.

KATSUTA KUP JUDO CHAMPIONSHIP

OFFICIAL WEIGHT CATEGORIES

Girls Boys

U10 (Born 2017-2018) U10 (Born 2017-2018)

U12 (Born 2015-2016) U12 (Born 2015-2016)

Divisions to be determined after registration closes.

Please send in exact weights for U10 and U12

U14 (Born 2013-2014)                                                          U14 (Born 2013-2014)

Novice (Yellow to Orange/Green) Novice (Yellow to Orange/Green)

Advanced (Green and Up)                                               Advanced (Green and Up)

-30, -33, -36, -40, -44 -32, -35, -38, -42, -46, -50,

-48, -52, -57. -63, +63 -55, -60, -66, +66

U16 (Born 2011-2012) U16 (Born 2011-2012)

Novice (Yellow to Orange/Green) Novice (Yellow to Orange/Green)

Advanced (Green and Up)                                               Advanced (Green and Up)

-36, -40, -44, -48, -52, -38, -42, -46, -50, -55, -60,

-57, -63, -70, +70 -66, -73, +73

By judoab Events, Feature

Jan 28, 2026

Edmonton International Nage no kata Certification Clinic

You have a great opportunity to become a certified National B kata judge in nage no kata by attending the March 5-6 clinic being led by Gerald Poirier (Chair of the National Kata Committee) and James Kendrick (Chair of the National Grading Committee). Further details of dates and times and registration for the certification clinic can be found using the following link: https://registration.judocanada.org/event/national-b-nage-no-kata-certification-ab/1004282/

By judoab Events, Feature