Shillong hosts East Zone judo black belt exam for the first time

Meghalaya is hosting the East Zone National Black Belt and NDIC Gradation Coaching Camp and Examination for the first time, with around 150 judokas, coaches and officials from different states in Shillong, Syllad reported.

The six-day event, organised by the Meghalaya Judo Association (MJA), runs from October 29 to November 3 at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture in Shillong.

Examiners

The chief examiner is Satish Sharma, a 6th Dan judoka and former Indian national team coach who introduced judo to Meghalaya in 1987 and is now based in Uttarakhand. The examination is being conducted under the technical guidance of Judo Federation of India (JFI) general secretary Banee Brata Das, also a 6th Dan, who is the principal examiner.

Candidates are being coached and then assessed for Black Belt and NDIC gradation under JFI standards.

Sports and Youth Affairs Department Secretary Isawanda Laloo was chief guest at the opening on October 30, with Meghalaya State Olympic Association general secretary Finely L Pariat as guest of honour and CRPF Commandant Jay Singh as special guest.

What a black belt grading involves

In judo, coloured belts mark a player's progress through the kyu grades, and the black belt marks the first of the higher dan grades. Moving up requires candidates to demonstrate throws, holds and other techniques, as well as their knowledge of the sport's rules and etiquette, before qualified examiners. Under the national federation's system, such gradings are conducted at camps like this one, where candidates first receive coaching and are then examined.

Gradings matter beyond the belt itself: higher grades are often needed to coach, referee or examine others, so a zonal examination at home allows coaches and officials from the region to move up without travelling to other parts of the country.

Judo has been an Olympic sport for men since 1964 and for women since 1992. In India, the sport is governed by the Judo Federation of India, with state associations such as the MJA running competitions and training at the state level.

The association said hosting a national-level event at home gives local judokas, coaches and officials direct access to senior experts and should help the sport grow in Meghalaya and the wider Northeast.