Western Judo Kata Championship Clinic 2026

Friday, January 30, 2026 San Francisco, California, United States

This event is no longer listed by the organiser.

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At a Glance

Entry

$0 - $30

Description

January 30, 2026

Kata Judge Clinic

USJF Sanction: 26-01-06

This USJF Kata Judge Clinic will be held the day before the Western Judo Kata Championship.

Venue:

City College of San Francisco Wellness Center - Martial Arts Room
50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA 94112

Schedule:

Judge certification testing start: 2:00 pm
Clinic start: 5:30 pm

Head Clinician:

Diane Jackson, judodtjackson@gmail.com

Eligibility:

Open to members with current membership in either USJF, USJA, or USA Judo.

Clinic Attire

White judo gi for demonstration testing
Casual attire or white judo gi for clinic

Judging Evaluation Attire

IJF Standard (blue or black blazer, white dress shirt, black tie, grey slacks, black socks)
OR black or white polo shirt, gray slacks, black socks

Competitors: If you are competing, you may complete the judging portion of your certification in judo gi

Certification Testing

Kata Certification Testing will be available for interested people. Testing options are available for judging only, teaching only, or judging and teaching.

Testing will include:

Level	C (Local)	B (Regional)	A (National)
Minimum Age/Rank	Brown Belt, 14 yrs	Brown Belt, 14 yrs	Shodan
Demo Level (Uke and Tori)	Sufficient skill / Promotion level / In-club teacher	Very Good skill / local Clinician	Clinician / Advanced understanding / Philosophical understanding. Ready to be an Evaluator
Knowledge / Key Points	Order of techniques and understanding of general judo / kata principles e.g., bowing, bowing process, tsugiashi, suriashi, kumikata, shisei, taisobaki, kuzushi, tsukuri, kake, ukemi	Local level plus, e.g., understanding of proper engagement location, distance, principle; direction of throw; action-reaction / progression of technique; Japanese names of techniques	Regional level plus, e.g., understanding of application of maximum efficiency; use of body kuzushi; awareness of loss or change in control within the technique; awareness of timing of counter attack; more Japanese terminology within techniques.
Written: Instructor	Part 1 50 – 59% or pass/complete on-line USJF course	Part 1 60-74%	Part 1 ≥ 75%
Written: Judge	Part 1 plus Take Part 2 within 6 months of first judging event Discuss with higher-level judge.	Part 1 & Part 2 60-74%Review with higher level judge	Part 1 & Part 2 ≥ 75%Review with higher level judge
Practical: Instructor	Teach 1-2 techniques	Teach 2-3 techniques	Teach 3-5 techniques if first testing, or 2-3 if increasing expertise level
Practical: Judge	Judge and review results with evaluator	Goal: Generally 2 points or less of evaluator and then review with evaluator	Judge Goal: Generally judges within 1 point of each other

Certification for Elite International Athletes

Elite international athletes may be awarded C level Instructor and Local Judge certification in that kata after 2 or more PJC or IJF competitions in Juniors (U21) or Seniors if they: