Judo in Canada Sasaki's students went on to establish their own dojos across Canada. The Canadian Kodokan Black Belt Association was incorporated in 1956 and recognized by the International Judo Federation in 1958. Now known as Judo Canada, it is the national governing body and a federation of associations in each of the ten provinces and three territories. Today, an estimated 30,000 Canadians participate in Judo programs in approximately 400 clubs across Canada. Judo uses a hierarchical ranking system divided into "kyū" and "dan" grades that its founder, Jigoro Kano, adapted from the ranking system for the traditional board game Go. "Kyū" grades
Judo in Canada by the National Grading Board. Most of the responsibility for grading, however, is delegated to other organizations. All "kyū" grade promotions are based on examination at the student's club by the club's head instructor or grading board following the Judo Canada grading syllabus. "Shodan" (first "dan") to "hachidan" (eighth "dan") promotions are based on examination by a provincial or territorial grading board, and must be ratified by Judo Canada. "Kudan" (ninth "dan") and "judan" (tenth "dan") promotions are rare honours that are conferred directly by Judo Canada, the International Judo Federation, or the Kodokan. The time between promotions for "kyū"