The Kyu grading scheme for senior players over 16 years consists of nine grades, denoted by different coloured belts:

• Yellow - 9th Kyu
• Orange - 8th and 7th Kyu
• Green - 6th and 5th Kyu
• Blue - 4th and 3rd Kyu
• Brown - 2nd and 1st Kyu

A novice player can be awarded 9th Kyu by his coach after successfully completing a course of basic instruction.

Achieving higher Kyu grades is a two-stage process.

1. Players must first be assessed by their coach on various theory elements, comprising practical demonstrations of throws and holds, and a knowledge of judo rules and terminology.
2. Once the theory has been passed players must attend a competitive grading event where they are pitted in contests against other players of roughly similar age, weight and grade. Winning at least one of these contests normally results in awarding the player a higher grade.

In their first senior Kyu grading, players who have transferred from the junior Mon grading scheme would normally expect to receive a Kyu grade similar in belt colour to the Mon grade they already hold.

After reaching 1st Kyu, players then strive to attain the coveted black belt and the grade of 1st Dan.

To achieve Dan grades requires scoring points for wins in contests, either at designated grading events, or in competitions of a sufficiently high standard as well as demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the whole range of recognised judo techniques.