[georgejjr]

Belt ranks aren't as important in judo as in BJJ (its closer to wrestling in that people ask what tournaments you've placed in rather than what rank you are). Its pretty common to get a black belt in Japan in two years ... black belt in judo only means you know enough of the basics to be officially a student. The first belts (gokyu to sankyu) sometimes just mean you have a decent breakfall (which is pretty important, you can't learn to throw properly and do randori without one) and know the basics of a few throws.

In places like Japan where rank is taken more seriously, the expert belt rank in judo is generally 6th dan and above, which is the red and white stripped belt you sometimes see worn in formal occasions. Generally you'll have needed to fight at an international level to get to that rank. Below that and its just different levels of student. Which makes sense actually, why have 10 degrees of black belt if you're already an expert at 1st degree? It'd be like saying you're an expert in arithmetic after completing first grade

If your instructor thinks you're ready for a promotion it probably means you're coming along nicely. Relax and enjoy.

[Mister Nitro]

Its definately interesting how different styles have such different methods for promotion and such. I live and trai in Japan and when I tell people about Jiu-jitsu and they ask if I am a black belt and I say a blue, they seem puzzled. I then have to have the requisite explanation about how the grading systems are vastly different,and there are generally time requirements for each belt, blah blah. And even after all that I still get the feeling they think im J.V.

[beer lao]

The replies makes me feel a little better...I wasn't aware there was such a discrepancy in belt standards between BJJ and Judo. But it still doesn't change the fact that I know SHIT in Judo.

Heres to me feeling like a tool for the next six months or so...

[Mister Nitro]

The lower ranks in Judo seemingly have much less importance, so dont sweat it too much as most dont expect alot from them.

[furdog]

Originally Posted by beer lao

The replies makes me feel a little better...I wasn't aware there was such a discrepancy in belt standards between BJJ and Judo. But it still doesn't change the fact that I know SHIT in Judo.

Heres to me feeling like a tool for the next six months or so...

Got my yellow in 2.5 months, and 3 weeks of that I was off because of laser eye surgery. It's normal to get the yellow quickly.

Most places will give you a yellow if you did well in competition and a grading comes along. I happened to do well in competition against higher belts.

[masterfighter]

Do you know:
Ogoshi
Osotogari
kesagatame
Breakfalls

Usualy a bit more than this is required, but if you know this stuff your ready imo.

[Mule-Kick]

Like others said before: don't sweat it, a yellow belt in judo still means you're a n00b ;), belt promotion is handled differently from BJJ.

[Darkslide632]

Years ago I was given a promotion in Judo that I did not deserve. Not a promotion that I didn't THINK I deserved, but a promotion that I DID NOT deserve. I felt exactly the same way you do now, but I devoted my time and energy to proving to myself that I did deserve it. That was around the time that I completely devoted myself to Judo. I am now perfectly comfortable with my rank.

There are two different reasons to give a kyu rank. The first is in recognition of a student's ability and hard work. The second is to help motivate a student who may have hit a wall. If you're uncomfortable thinking about your promotion in the first context, think of it in the second context and prove to yourself that you deserve the rank.

As people has said, the first couple of kyu really don't mean much and it is not uncommon for people to completely skip entire belts, usually up to sankyu, or 3rd brown. I did. Don't sweat it. I have my shodan in Judo, and that basically means jack. I've been training for about 13 years and I would equate my shodan to a BJJ blue belt. Granted, I could be higher ranked at this point if there was less red tape, but I would be no higher than a nidan/2nd degree black belt regardless.

To put it in perspective, my LIFELONG goal is to reach godan, or 5th degree blackbelt... and I am pretty convinced that I will never get there. Don't sweat it.

As far as not accepting a promotion from your sensei goes... Think of it this way. He says you're ready to promote, you say you don't accept the promotion. What are you really saying? You're saying "I obviously know more about this than you do, and am more qualified to determine whether or not I am ready to promote than you are." YOU decide whether or not you're willing to, or are ok with saying something like that to your instructor and whether or not he might take offense.

[TheBigS]

Don't worry about the promotion from white to yellow. I've trained at three different judo schools for extended periods during my life, and I've never been any place where, with regular attendance and effort, it should take more than 2-3 months to get your yellow belt. The standards vary, but a yellow to me signifies that the person is competent with their breakfalls, has learned a few throws (such as Osoto gari, Ogoshi, De-ashi harai, morote-gari), two pins (especially kesa gatame, yoko shino gatame), and basic japanese terminology.

Accept the promotion and focus on giving as much as you can. Yellow comes pretty fast, as does orange. After that, they will start to tighten the reins a bit and start demanding that your work be more polished as you get towards brown.

That said, as some posters have pointed out, people rarely ask you what belt you are in judo. You really demonstrate your ability, perhaps more than some other martial arts, in competition and not by the belt you are wearing. Good luck and congrats on the promotion!

[Gsoares2]

the belt will pressure you to train harder - its normal to feel you dont deserve a new belt. Living up to it is whats expands your knowledge