Earlier in the year, judoka from Australia and New Zealand made their pilgrimage to the Kodokan – the traditional home of Judo – as part of an annual Club Coach exchange. Ten chose to sit for a Kodokan grading – and the official gradings are in!
These Kodokan gradings were to confirm previously conferred Judo Australia gradings, but in four cases the Kodokan recommended their grading be awarded at a higher level.
These Kodokan grades have been recognised and ratified for the equivalent Judo Australia grade. All Kodokan grading certificates (and new Judo Australia Grading Certificates where required) have been posted to clubs so these judoka can be recognised by their local judo community.
Congratulations to:
Jack Rigby (Marrara Judo Club, NT). Kodokan 2nd Dan
Mark Brewer (UTS Judo, NSW). Kodokan 4th Dan
Aaron Steffans (Maishin Judo Club, QLD). Kodokan 2nd Dan
Kyle Elkanhans (Kyushin Ryu School of Jujitsu, QLD). Kodokan 1st Dan
David Groom (The Judo Way of Life Academy, NSW). Kodokan 4th Dan
Derek Morris (Beyond Grappling Club, ACT). Kodokan 1st Dan
Thomas Handler (Endeavour Hills Judo Club, VIC) Kodokan 2nd Dan
Christelle Legrand (Maishin Judo Club, QLD) Kodokan 2nd Dan
Carla Johnson (Seishin Martial Arts, TAS) Kodokan 1st Dan
Hannah Bradbury (Kazoku Judokan, SA) Kodokan 1st Dan
Attending the course but not choosing to sit for a grading were: Neisha Brooking (Tauranga Judo Club, New Zealand), Ernie Wakamatsu (Northern Suburbs Judo Club, NSW) and James Zahra (Illawarra International Judo Club, NSW).
The next Kodokan exchange for coaches is scheduled for March 2026, with Expressions of Interest welcomed later in the year. Only a limited number of participants will be able to attend, and only fully CAF-accredited coaches can be considered, explained Judo Australia’s National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio.
The value of the experience was underlined by the enthusiastic participants.
“The Kodokan Seminar was an amazing experience to learn from those who live and breathe Judo, and it is a once in a lifetime experience” said Kyle Elkenhans of Kyushin Ryu School of Jujitsu, Brisbane, who has turned to Judo after years of excelling in jujitsu.
James Zahra of the Illawarra International Judo Club in NSW said: “The week at the Kodokan Judo seminar was a great experience — it was fascinating to see how nearly all techniques were executed from a single step, and how they built up to complex rolls and movements from simple foundations, making it accessible and valuable for all levels.”
Mark Brewer of UTS Judo praised the dedication of the group. “It was a pleasure to share this experience at the Kodokan with such a dedicated group of coaches. Some days on the mat stretched beyond eight hours, yet everyone approached each session with enthusiasm, committed to their learning and the growth of others. I’m grateful to have been part of such a team,” he said.
Adelaide’s Hannah Bradbury (Kazoku Judokan) appreciated the opportunity to meet and train with judoka from many different clubs. “I felt so much more knowledgeable after even just a week of learning about the Kodokan’s grading method, kata and techniques from such high level instructors, as well as the support and knowledge of the group themselves,” she said.
ADF Combat Sports Association president, Major Derek Morris said: “The entire Kodokan administrative and instruction team were professional and highly personable throughout the week. The Kodokan experience provided an insight and level of instruction simply not available in Australia. I’d deem it essential for any judo instructor seeking to truly understand the principles of judo and convey this to their students – regardless of whether their student are new white belts, recreational blue belts, or highly competitive back belts.”
Ernie Wakamatsu, chair of Judo Australia’s kata committee, and kata judge, said the course was an important opportunity for both new club coaches and veteran coaches. “The time spent at the Kodokan for the coaching seminar was well worth the gruelling schedule and workout for the in-depth knowledge attained,” he explained.
Victorian referee, Thomas Handler was similarly impressed. “Our lecturers couldn’t have been any better, competent, knowledgeable and really good in getting the message across. I thoroughly loved the experience and enjoyed every minute of it, although it was very demanding. I do like challenges!”
New Zealander Neisha Brooking of Tauranga Judo Club joined the Australian delegation for the experience. “It was a mentally and physically challenging week at the Kodokan, the Judo Coaches Course is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with top-tier instruction, deep camaraderie, lasting friendships, and profoundly rewarding growth,” Niesha said.
“It was a pleasure to have had this shared experience with a team of such dedicated coaches. Judo Australia should be very proud of this team of ambassadors. They conducted themselves professionally, respectfully and with great spirit.”
Judo Australia congratulates the coaches on their achievement and their commitment to upskilling and consolidating their knowledge in the home of judo.
“Our sport is better for it when our leaders study, learn and share their knowledge with each other,” Shane Alvisio said. “We do this as part of our CAF courses, but the Kodokan Coaches Exchange takes it one step further and we are grateful for the opportunity.”
