Keith Durant
Keith Durant is a Canadian judoka. He is the first person from the Western hemisphere to earn six consecutive black belt promotions in open weight judo competition from 1st to 6th degree in Kodokan Judo history, and the fourth non-Japanese in Kodokan Judo history to achieve this distinction, preceded by fellow judoka Schultz (Germany), Waxsman (Israel), and Bayron (Phillipines).
All Japan High Dan Judo Tournament. Outstanding Player Award ''' 1997 at age 37 (5th Dan Division)
2005 at age 45 (6th Dan Divsion)
First foreigner member of Bunkyo-ku Judo Renmei.
- 1979 Starts Judo in B.C. Canada Victoria Judo Club under Yeiji Inouye
- 1980 Moves to Japan to practice Judo at age 20 as a 3 kyu (green belt)
- 1981 Shodan
- 1983 Nidan
- 1985 Sandan
- 1989 Yondan
- 1994 Godan
- 2004 Rokudan ( All Japan Judo Federation / Kodokan Japan )
- 1997 Outstanding Player Award All Japan High Dan Tournament 5th Dan Division
- 2005 Outstanding Player Award All Japan High Dan Tournament 6th Dan Division
January 11, 2004 At age 44 earns rank of Kodokan Rokudan Shihan(6th Dan)and the first person from the Western hemisphere to earn consecutive black belt promotions in open weight competition from 1st to 6th degree in Kodokan Judo history. The 4th non-Japanese in Kodokan Judo history to make this accomplishment preceded by fellow Judoka Schultz (Germany), Waxsman (Israel) and Bayron (Phillipines).
Originally a native of Comox, B.C. Canada Keith started Judo in 1979 at the Victoria Judo Club on Vancouver Island under Mr. Yeiji Inouye 8th dan. During his time in Japan Keith has become one of the highest ranking foreign judoka at the Kodokan and in Japan.