Kodokan dan grades confirmed – and conferred – for Aussie judoka
The Kodokan has promoted two Australian judoka to black, and confirmed the Australian promotions for four others.
Sensei Iwanaga Kento, from the Grading & International Dept at the Kodokan, has formally advised Judo Australia and state members of the promotions, and confirmation of Australian grades after examinations were undertaken during a trip to Japan.
Along with judoka from Mongolia, Canada and the United States, Australians Ashley White, of Yarra Judo in Victoria, and Aaron Squires, of the Gold Coast Academy in Queensland, were examined and promoted to 1st Dan, black belt.
Confirmed in their Australian grades were 1st dan judoka Cherese Freeland, from Marrara Judo Club in the NT, Alexander Ginaylo from Taketani Judo Club in Victoria, Jeremy Cade from Shin Gi Tai Judo Club in Queensland.
Confirmed in 3rd Dan were Boyd McMahon of Townsville Judo Club, Queensland, and Timothy Mitchell, of the Gold Coast Academy in Queensland.
Each of these grades is confirmed or conferred as of the formal recognition date of July 7, 2026.
Judo Australia’s National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio, comments that it is particularly satisfying to see the robustness of the Australian grading system upheld by the home of international judo.
“To see that Kodokan is willing to confirm all of our judoka who applied for the examination, and then award a first dan to judoka who hadn’t previously thought themselves ready to present for that honour – it’s a vote of confidence.”
“We will now turn our attention to creating the processes to ensure the digitisation of the Australian grading system can smoothly incorporate Kodokan recognition, and these judoka will have those belts in their personal profiles when we go live with every Australian belt on Judo Manager.”
