Overview
Judo WA is pleased to present the 2026 Kata Seminar & Dan Grading Workshop, to be held across three days from Friday, 6 November to Sunday, 8 November 2026.
The weekend will provide judoka with an opportunity to develop their kata knowledge and technical proficiency while also supporting athletes preparing for future Dan gradings.
Special Guest – Mr Ernie Wakamatsu
The Kata Seminar will be led by special guest Mr Ernie Wakamatsu, 5th Dan, an IJF Kata Judge and Chair of the Judo Australia Kata Commission.
Across the weekend, Ernie will deliver specialist instruction in:
- Kime-no-kata
- Katame-no-kata
- Nage-no-kata
Saturday's Katame-no-kata program will also incorporate kata judging certification, providing participants with an opportunity to further develop their understanding of kata from both a performance and judging perspective.
Dan Grading Workshop
Running concurrently with the Kata Seminar on Saturday and Sunday, Judo WA will also conduct a Dan Grading Workshop for judoka preparing for their next Dan grade.
The workshop will focus primarily on the non-kata components of Dan grading preparation, providing participants with an opportunity to work through applicable technical requirements, receive feedback and better understand the standards expected at Dan grading.
Participants preparing for a Dan grade are expected to prioritise the Kata Seminar sessions where the kata being presented is applicable to their next grade. The Dan Grading Workshop will complement these sessions and provide additional preparation across the weekend.
Schedule
Friday, 6 November – UWA Judo Club
Venue: UWA Judo Club, Goldsworthy Road, Claremont
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 5:00pm–8:00pm | Kime-no-kata Seminar with Ernie Wakamatsu |
Saturday, 7 November – SouthWest Judo Academy
Venue: SouthWest Judo Academy, 10 Crowley Street, Port Kennedy
| Time | Kata Seminar | Dan Grading Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00am–1:00pm | Katame-no-kata – Session 1 | Dan grading preparation running concurrently* |
| 1:00pm–2:30pm | Break | Break |
| 2:30pm–5:00pm | Katame-no-kata – Session 2 & Judging Certification | Dan grading preparation running concurrently* |
Sunday, 8 November – SouthWest Judo Academy
Venue: SouthWest Judo Academy, 10 Crowley Street, Port Kennedy
| Time | Kata Seminar | Dan Grading Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00am–12:00pm | Nage-no-kata – Sets 4–5 | Dan grading preparation running concurrently* |
| 12:00pm–1:30pm | Break | Break |
| 1:30pm–4:00pm | Nage-no-kata – Sets 1–3 | Dan grading preparation running concurrently* |
*Dan grading candidates should attend the applicable kata session where that kata forms part of the requirements for their next Dan grade.
Registration Fees
- $40 per day
- $80 for the full three-day seminar
Registration provides access to all applicable Kata Seminar and Dan Grading Workshop sessions on the selected day.
Who Should Attend?
The weekend is suitable for:
- Judoka wishing to improve their knowledge and performance of kata
- Athletes preparing for an upcoming Dan grading
- Coaches looking to strengthen their understanding of kata and Dan grading requirements
- Kata competitors
- Referees and officials interested in developing their kata judging knowledge
- Experienced judoka interested in further technical development
Participants do not need to be preparing for a Dan grading to attend the Kata Seminar.
