Future competitive stream grading candidates, for nidan or higher, will need to meet their kata clinic requirements (described in the National Grading Syllabus) by attending one of the designated scheduled kata clinics prior to the actual date of the grading. See the table below. Candidates will still be required to attend the waza clinic portion of the grading and to receive the Provincial Grading Board’s final decision on their promotion.
Future competitive stream candidates are to inform Gord Okamura at gyokamura@gmail.com if they are planning to register and attend a grading in the upcoming year in advance, in order to ensure a clinic is scheduled. The credit for attendance will be valid for one year from the date of the kata clinic (if before June, then good for June and November gradings). If candidates are unable to attend a clinic, then they will postpone their grading so that all requirements will be met. Attendance at a recognized clinic out of province may be considered (must be approved in advance).
The Provincial Kata Committee is responsible for the overall teaching of kata to the judo membership and the Provincial Grading Committee will continue to evaluate the kata at the formal yudansha grading for Technical Stream candidates and Competitive Stream shodan candidates. Club senseis and students are offered kata clinics so that they have a basic understanding of the current kata and can practice at their dojo before grading. It is also recommended that candidates have a competent kata partner to ensure a successful demonstration.
The kata clinics conducted by the Provincial Kata Committee are part of a number of kata events which are intended to elevate the level of kata, especially for technical candidates and their senseis. It will be important that the level of kata at any grading is high in order 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.
Gord Okamura, Allan Sattin,
Provincial Kata Committee Provincial Grading Committee
2025-2026 Kata Calendar of Events v3Upcoming Events
Kata Tuesdays Katame no Kata
The Provincial Kata Committee will be offering instructions in Itsutsu no Kata to anyone interested in this kata. This in-person session will also be broadcast and recorded on Google Meet (please mute): https://meet.google.com/jar-eeyx-hoe
When: Tuesdays on January 6, 13, 20 starting at 6:00pm MST sharp and ending at 7:25pm. Each session will build on the previous one.
Where: Tokugawa Dojo, 9647-62 Avenue, Edmonton
Contents: Introductory level.
Presented by: Gord Okamura, Provincial Grading and Kata Committee member
Contact: Gord Okamura email address: gyokamura@gmail.com
January 2026 Kata Camp
Purpose: This Event is open to all kata enthusiasts of any age or rank including practitioners and judges. The purpose is to provide a kata clinic learning experience and a competition experience in a more informal setting. Members from all Provinces are invited but especially southern Western provinces.
When: January 17 & 18, 2026
Where: i. Saturday at the Raymond Judo Club located at Victoria Sports Park 350E 100N, Raymond, Alberta T0K 2S0
ii. Sunday at Lethbridge Kyodokan Judo Club located at 2775 – 28th Avenue South – Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7L6
Clinicians: Gord Okamura, Scott Allan Registration
Fee: $35.00
Registration Link: https://registration.judocanada.org/event/january-2026-kata-camp/1004268/
Western Canada Kata Clinic – Regina – January 23, 2026
Trackie Registration Link
Technical Package
Western Canadian Kata Championship – Regina, January 24, 2026
Trackie Registration for Competitors
Trackie Registration for Judges
Technical Package
Judo Alberta Kata Committee Structure
The Provincial Kata Committee’s mission is to increase the awareness and practice of Kata in Alberta by providing education and support for all.
| Education and Grassroots Development | Athlete Development | Judge Development | Competitions | Administration and Communication |
| – Kata support to clubs – On-line clinics and videos – Drop in sessions Youth kata |
– Athlete Handbook – Clinics – Practice demonstrations – Financial support |
– Active judges list – Pathway for judge’s development – Certification clinics |
– Calendar of kata events – Provincial and National Championships – Demonstration events |
– Kata website – Kata promotion – Provincial relationships – Meeting minutes – Budget management |
Kata Committee Members
- Gord Okamura (Chair)
- Wesley Enns
- Jennifer Parker
- An Chhay
- Scott Allan
- Jeff Hoi
- Keith Bibbey
Goals and Plans for 2025/26 Season
Overall Goals:
The Provincial Kata Committee’s overall goals are to increase the awareness and practice of Kata in Alberta, and to provide education and support for club leaders and athletes.
Current Program Streams:
- Education and Grassroots Development
- Athlete Development
- Judges Development
- Competitions
- Administration and Communication
2025/2026 Strategic Priority:
- In 2025/26, the priority will be Education and Grassroots Development with the intent to expand the number of kata practitioners, regardless of age or rank or whether you are a student or sensei. It is for anyone wanting to do kata and offers an alternative to shiai.
- The other priority area will be social media for communicating and promoting kata.
- The other program streams will continue as secondary priorities.
Action Plan:
To achieve the above goals, action items include:
Support the Clubs
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- Contact all club Sensei to inform them about kata and the available resources and the opportunities
- Offer support to clubs who don’t offer kata instruction or don’t have the expertise by having a kata instructor come to their dojo and present kata in their class; in other words, kata comes to them
- Identify set times and locations where anyone can drop in and practice kata.
- Offer kata clinics online for remote access
- Introduce kodomo no kata where kids can enjoy another way of being active in judo
- Offer kata promotional materials to create excitement for kata
Enhance Communication
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- Update the Judo Alberta website
- Post calendar of kata events including out of province
- Post pictures and stories of kata events
- Create branding for Judo Alberta kata / Information campaign
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Kata Development
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- Conduct at least two formal in-person clinics
- Conduct on-line training sessions where participants can sign into a live kata session (with recording)
- Hold kata training clinics in conjunction with provincial training camps
- Hold practice tournaments
- Provide some subsidies to kata athletes attending high level competitions
Kata Judge Development
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- Coordinate a kata judges certification clinic
- Post notices of out-of-province kata judges certification clinics
- Post the Judges Handbook and Kata Competition Criteria for Evaluation
Competitions
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- Conduct kata competitions at the Edmonton International and Provincials
- Post the Kata Athlete Handbook and Kata Competition Criteria for Evaluation
- Post notices of kata training camps
To keep up to date on all the national and international events, subscribe to the Judo Canada Kata google calendar below!
Kata Video Library
Kata Tuesdays, January 2026 – Nage no Kata
Kata Tuesdays, November 2025 – Nage no Kata
Kata Tuesdays, October 2025 – Ju no Kata
Kata Tuesdays, January 2025 – Katame no kata
The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Katame no kata to anyone interested in this kata. This in-person session was recorded.
Kata Tuesdays, November 2024 – Kime no kata
The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Kime no kata to anyone interested in the kata. This in-person session was recorded and available for you to rewatch.
Kata Tuesdays, October 2024 – Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
Kata Tuesdays – Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
The Provincial Kata Committee offered instructions in Kodokan Goshin Jutsu to anyone interested in the kata. This in-person session was recorded and available for you to rewatch.
What is Kata?
Jigoro Kano Shihan, the founder of judo, explains there are essentially two ways of practicing judo: randori (with its variant in competition) and kata. Kata literally means “form”. Kata is practiced according to a pre-established system of codified movements, while randori is practiced freely.
The goal of kata is therefore to learn and practice the fundamental principals and techniques of judo. It is important for the student and teacher to incorporate kata in their training.
For more information, please consult the VETERAN & KATA HANDBOOK
Judging Kata
If you are interested in judging Kata events, know that Judo Canada uses the same Kata Evaluation rules as the International Judo Federation. Judo Canada also offers training and evaluation clinics for potential Kata judges. For further information, go to https://judocanada.org/kata-judging/
Alberta Certified Kata Judges
AB-Cert-Kata-Judges-Nov-2025Kata Resources
Kodomo No Kata Resources:
- French Federation Version of Kodomo No Kata
- Kodokan Kodomo No Kata playlist
- The IJF Releases the New Version of the Kodomo-No-Kata
- Kano Society Bulletin: Kodomo-no-kata – Forms for Children
Ju No Kata Resources:
- History of Ju No Kata
- Ju No Kata Practical
- 2016 World Ju No Kata Clinic
- Kata te dori
- Ju No Kata Book
- On-line Kodokan Ju No KataTextbook
- Kodokan Instructional Video for Ju No Kata
Katame No Kata Resources:
- Katame No Kata – 2014 – ENG
- 2015 World Katame clinic
- 2016 World Kata Clinic Katame no kata
- Katame no kata Video
Nage No Kata Resources:
- Nage No Kata – 2014 – ENG
- Nage-no-Kata educative project 2022
- 2015 World Kata Clinic Nage No Kata
- Kodokan Nage No Kata Video
Kodokan Goshin Jutsu Resources:
- Kodokan Goshin-jutsu Textbook
- Kodokan Judo Goshinjutsu Video
- Kodokan Goshin-jutsu Practical video
- 2018 Kodokan Goshin Jutsu Clinic
Kime No Kata Resources:
Itsutsu No Kata
Koshiki No Kata
Kodokan 2022 All Japan Kata Championships
- Ju no kata
- Nage no kata
- Katame no kata
- Kodokan Goshin jutsu
- Kime no kata (video from opposite side from Joseki)
- Itstutsu no kata
- Koshiki no kata
.