The 2025 Kodokan Judo Seminar & Dan Grading, held in Perth from 24–27 January, marked a significant milestone in Western Australia’s judo development, bringing together world-class instructors from The Kodokan, the birthplace of judo, and WA judoka for an unparalleled learning experience. Hosted in collaboration with Judo Western Australia, the Kodokan Judo Institute, and Judo Australia, this event was made possible through Judo Australia’s PlayWell funding, supported by the Australian Sports Commission.
With nearly 70 unique participants, the seminar saw an outstanding turnout despite coinciding with the Australia Day long weekend. The involvement of three highly esteemed Kodokan instructors, including Mr. Hiroyuki Hirano (8th Dan), Mr. Hirofumi Otsuji (7th Dan), and Ms. Haruka Tachimoto (6th Dan, 2016 Olympic Champion), made this a truly world-class event.
Over the course of three intensive days, judoka refined their technical skills and kata knowledge under direct instruction from the Kodokan instructors. The event culminated in the Kodokan Dan Grading Examination, providing WA judoka with the opportunity to obtain or ratify their Kodokan Dan Grades, further strengthening their connection to the origins of judo. This success also reinforced WA’s ties with Japan through the WA-Japan Judo Exchange Program, supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Asian Engagement Program.
Day 1: UWA Judo Club
The seminar began at UWA Judo Club, setting the stage for a weekend of intensive learning. The morning session focused on nage-no-kata, led by Mr. Hirano, covering the first three sets: te-waza (hand techniques), koshi-waza (hip techniques), and ashi-waza (foot techniques). Hirano provided detailed insights into the purpose and execution of each movement, emphasising precision, posture, and balance. Participants worked in pairs, receiving hands-on corrections that helped refine their understanding of these fundamental judo forms.
The afternoon session transitioned to a technical focus, led by Olympic champion Haruka Tachimoto. She introduced participants to her Ouchi-gari, a technique that played a pivotal role in her international success. What seemed like a simple technique quickly became an exercise in minute adjustments, as Tachimoto meticulously broke down key elements, including grip variations, positioning, and the importance of proper balance-breaking. Participants were engaged in repeated drilling, as Tachimoto provided corrections and adjustments tailored to each judoka’s movements.
Day 2: Kano Judo Schools
The second day of the seminar was hosted at Kano Judo Schools, where participants continued to build on their technical and kata knowledge. The morning session, again led by Ms. Tachimoto, began with a review of Ouchi-gari. She quizzed participants on the key details from the previous day, ensuring that they retained the essential concepts before moving on to her signature Sode-Tsurikomi-Goshi. With the same meticulous attention to detail, she broke down gripping strategies, entry angles, and variations for different competitive scenarios. The session was highly interactive, with judoka encouraged to experiment with different grips and setups under Tachimoto’s expert guidance.
In addition to the technical training, Mr. Hirano provided an overview of the new 2025 IJF refereeing rules, ensuring WA judoka remained up to date with international competition standards.
The afternoon session returned to kata training, completing the final two sets of nage-no-kata: Ma Sutemi Waza (Rear Sacrifice Techniques) and Yoko Sutemi Waza (Side Sacrifice Techniques). Participants then moved on to katame-no-kata, covering Osaekomi Waza (Hold Down Techniques) and Shime Waza (Strangle Techniques). The session was physically demanding, requiring a high level of concentration and technical precision.
Day 3: SouthWest Judo Academy
The final day of the seminar was hosted at SouthWest Judo Academy, where the focus was on consolidation and application. The morning session revisited the key technical lessons from the previous two days, allowing participants to fine-tune their Ouchi-gari and Sode Tsurikomi Goshi under Tachimoto’s guidance. Following this, Hirano delivered another session on the 2025 IJF referee rule changes, ensuring that all judoka had a clear understanding of how the modifications would impact competition judo.
In the afternoon, the final kata session focused on Kansetsu Waza (Armlock Techniques) before participants split into two groups. Those preparing for the Dan Grading Examination took part in dedicated grading preparation, while others remained on the mat for a specialised session on Ju-no-kata, led by Hirano.
Day 4: Kodokan Dan Grading Examination
On Monday, 27 January, WA judoka had the rare opportunity to sit for their Kodokan Dan Grading Examinations, allowing them to ratify their Judo Australia Dan Grades with the Kodokan. A total of 17 WA judoka successfully passed their examinations, including:
Achieving Kodokan 1st Dan: Andras Berta, Olivia Knights, Aramiti Graham George-Hetaraka, Martin O’Dea, Maelie Tournier, Jordan Boxell, and Georgia Aiesi, with Maelie, Jordan, and Georgia simultaneously grading from 1st Kyu (Brown Belt) to both Judo Australia and Kodokan 1st Dan.
Achieving Kodokan 2nd Dan: Jonathan Richetti, Thomas Knights, Marlee Mickle, and Giulioantonio Gerace.
Achieving Kodokan 3rd Dan: Shane Rigby, Melissa Dennehy, Thomas Crooks, and Perry Lugg.
Achieving Kodokan 4th Dan: Jacob Read and Calvin Knoester.
The success of the 2025 Kodokan Judo Seminar & Dan Grading would not have been possible without the joint efforts of Judo Australia, Judo Western Australia, and the Kodokan Judo Institute. Special recognition must be given to Mr. Simon Read, Chair of Judo Australia, whose leadership and coordination played a crucial role in bringing this opportunity to WA.
This event also reinforces WA’s ongoing relationship with Japan through the WA-Japan Judo Exchange Program, funded by the DLGSC’s Asian Engagement Program.
The 2025 Kodokan Judo Seminar & Dan Grading was a landmark event, further strengthening WA’s technical judo development, international recognition, and cultural ties with the Kodokan. Judo WA looks forward to building on this success and continuing to foster world-class judo opportunities in the years ahead.
Photos from the event are available here.
