On Monday, 27 January, several of our dedicated judoka took a major step in their judo journey by sitting for their Kodokan Dan Grading Examination. This was a historic moment, offering WA judoka the rare opportunity to have their Judo Australia Dan Grades ratified by the Kodokan—the birthplace of judo. The Kodokan, founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882, is the ultimate authority on judo grades worldwide, and earning a Kodokan Dan Grade is a prestigious achievement that links each judoka to the very origins of the sport.
We are incredibly proud to announce that eight SouthWest Judo Academy judoka successfully passed their Kodokan Dan Grading Examination, reinforcing the club’s commitment to technical excellence and lifelong judo development.
Achieving their Kodokan 1st Dan: Olivia Knights, Aramiti Graham George-Hetaraka, and Gerogia Aiesi
Achieving their Kodokan 2nd Dan: Thomas Knights, Marlee Mickle, and Giulioantonio Gerace
Achieving their Kodokan 3rd Dan: Shane Rigby and Perry Lugg
Achieving their Kodokan 4th Dan: Jacob Read
This event was particularly significant for Georgia Aiesi, who graded to both her Judo Australia and Kodokan 1st Dan. Unlike other candidates who had their existing Judo Australia Dan Grades ratified by the Kodokan, Georgia, was examined for and awarded both her Judo Australia 1st Dan and Kodokan 1st Dan at the same time. This is a huge milestone in her judo career, and we could not be prouder of her dedication, perseverance, and outstanding performance on the day.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Judo Western Australia, Judo Australia, and The Kodokan for making this historic grading possible. The opportunity to earn a Kodokan-recognised Dan Grade is incredibly rare outside of Japan, and we are grateful that WA judoka were given the chance to solidify their place in the worldwide judo community.
This success is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and passion of our judoka, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow, lead, and inspire on and off the mat!