Rank in Judo
Highest ranking jūdōka
The ninth (kudan) and tenth degree black belt (jūdan) and, theoretically, those higher, have no formal requirements. Only 15 individuals have been promoted to the rank of Kōdōkan 10th dan. On January 6, 2006, three individuals were promoted to this rank simultaneously: Daigo Toshirō, Ichirō Abe, and Ōsawa Yoshimi. This is the most ever at the same time, and the first in 22 years. No one has ever been promoted to a rank higher than 10th dan, but in theory the Judo rank system is not limited to 10 degrees of black belt. The English language edition (1955) of Illustrated Kodokan Judo, edited by the Kōdōkan, says:
Rank in Judo-6