Kodokan 10th Dan Promotions

translated from French by Llyr Jones, Ph.D.

Henri Courtine, judan

The specialist Commission for dan and equivalent grades of the FFJDA awarded on Monday, December 10, 2007 some exceptional ranks.

Henri Courtine was promoted to 10th Dan, a grade which is rare at the global level and is unique for a (living) French judoka. As National Coach, National Technical Director of the French Federation of Judo, Karate, Aikido and Assimilated Disciplines (FFJDA) and then Director of the same federation, Henri Courtine greatly contributed to the development of the discipline of judo.

A high level Director of the French National Sporting and Olympic Committee (CNOSF) from 1982 to 1986, he was an effective and highly appreciated Head of Mission during the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

An illustrious Sporting Director of the International Judo Federation (IJF) from 1979 to 1987, he defend the ideas that guaranteed the best interests of judo, whilst also representing internationally France and its institutional bodies under best conditions. He was Director of CREPS (Regional Centre for Popular Education and Sport) in Boulouris from 1987 to 1995.

Now retired, he still remains active in the world of judo and beyond, for example functioning as Deputy Mayor of the city of Saint Raphael.