Today, history has been made. Loretta Doyle, an icon of judo, has achieved an unparalleled milestone by being awarded her 9th Dan. This remarkable feat makes her the first ever British female judoka to reach such an esteemed rank and places her among a very select group of international judoka who have attained this grade. It is a moment of celebration, recognition and deep admiration for a woman who has dedicated her life to the art, sport and philosophy of judo.


It is fitting that this latest celebration took place in Paris, a city that holds some of Loretta’s fondest memories. It was here [in Paris] that she conquered the world stage in 1982, securing her World Championship title. A decade later, in 1992, she stood victorious yet again, claiming her final European title and earning her seventh European medal. Over the course of her competitive career, Loretta amassed more than 50 international individual medals and eight team medals. Her name became synonymous with excellence, determination and an unwavering spirit that has inspired generations of judoka. First, she shares her thoughts on what grading in judo means to her;
Something that I am truly passionate about is my grade. It always has been, ever since I first started judo. I wanted that first red belt, yellow belt, orange belt, green belt…you name it. They were always really important to me because they gave me a sense of self-worth. That’s what it was. It’s like when you take exams at school. I was never really one of the top students, so I wasn’t getting A+ grades. But in judo, I was earning my grades, and for me, that built confidence as a youngster. It gave me a sense of achievement, knowing that I was accomplishing something. That helped me as I was growing up.
I think that’s what judo has always done for me in my life. I have always had self-doubt but judo has created something in me that makes me feel worthy, valued and appreciated. For me, this is another milestone event in my life. I am getting older, I am not getting any younger but with age comes maturity. We start thinking about things differently, just like red wine. Red wine only gets better as it ages [she laughs].
Grades in judo also symbolise knowledge, experience and dedication. It’s about depth, what you put into a sport is eventually given back to you if you truly commit to it and keep going. Those values and the pathway of learning are always present. I have always been a firm believer that every day is a school day and in judo, you are always learning.
Beyond her phenomenal competitive record, Loretta’s influence in judo has extended into coaching, mentoring and leadership. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of elite athletes such as Karina Bryant, Amanda Costello, Sarah Adlington and Sally Conway, guiding them to achieve greatness on the international stage. Her dedication to developing young judoka was evident through her years of service as GB female cadet and junior team manager and coach, as well as British Olympic futures team manager for cadets. Her leadership continued through her roles as programme manager for the British Judo Association’s World Class Performance Programme and as Head of Delegation for British teams competing internationally.
Loretta’s passion for judo is not confined to competing or coaching elite athletes; she has worked tirelessly to grow and support the judo community at every level. From founding the Cusack School of Judo in 1992 to leading West Kilbride Judo Club since 2014, she has dedicated herself to fostering grassroots development. Her unwavering commitment to the sport furthers as the founder of the Loretta Doyle Judo Foundation, which has made a significant impact on individuals facing mental health challenges, socio-economic difficulties and adaptive sports needs.

Her efforts in kata have also been profound, advocating for the importance of this fundamental aspect of judo. She has played an instrumental role in promoting kata education. Loretta comments further on the subject;
As a youngster, I was truly blessed, that’s all I can say. I was lucky to have incredible teachers. I call them teachers because coaches are, in essence, teachers. They laid the foundation upon which I continue to grow today. For me, kata was introduced at just 11 years old. Every week, my judo teachers, John and Shirley Ward, who were both kata examiners and also competed as a husband-and-wife duo, deeply appreciated kata. They recognised its benefits for young athletes.
At the time, I didn’t always appreciate it, because at that age, you don’t. You don’t see the benefits of learning techniques on both the left and right sides without realising their significance. Yet, I had practiced all the techniques. Kata was part of my learning process and journey until I was about 15 or 16 years old. It was only as a senior that I had a lightbulb moment and finally understood why all that kata practice from a young age was so beneficial. It was an incredible realisation, and I finally appreciated it. Not having a foundation in kata as a judo athlete is like a tennis player going out to play a match with a cricket bat instead of a tennis racket.
Loretta’s contributions extend into major sporting events too, where her expertise has been invaluable. She has held senior management roles in several sports at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games and even ventured into other martial arts, serving as Technical Operations Manager for Kurash at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Her involvement with IBSA (International Blind Sport Association) highlights her commitment to inclusivity and open mindset.


Adding yet another dimension to her legacy, Loretta has been a voice of judo for nearly two decades, providing live commentary for the IJF and EJU media teams. Her media role is infused with her deep knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the sport. Whether breaking down techniques, analysing strategies or celebrating the spirit of judo, she has brought the sport closer to fans worldwide. Following the official 9th Dan ceremony, Loretta shared her emotions in tears of joy;
I feel absolutely amazing, completely starstruck. It is surreal to be here, surrounded by so many incredible people. I can’t believe that everyone is just as emotional as I am, sharing this unforgettable moment together. The joy in the room is overwhelming and it’s something I will never forget.
As we celebrate this groundbreaking achievement, we do so with immense gratitude and admiration. Loretta Doyle has not only rewritten history, she has set a new standard of excellence for the world of judo. Congratulations, Loretta, on your 9th Dan. Your legacy is one of greatness and your journey continues to inspire us all.

Author: Szandra Szogedi