Kodokan Hachidan 8th dan promotion for New Zealand

Subject: Kodokan hachidan  (8th dan ) promotion 

Today I was informed by Fujita sensei head of the Kodokan high grading panel that after amassing about about 190 contest points from the all Japan high grades and all Japan Masters shiai over a period of 10 years , studying and practising Kodokan kata I had been promoted to Kodokan 8th dan .
My life long dream comes true
Many years ago When  I was a Kodokan 6th dan entering the all Japan high grades shiai I was the only lonely foreigner and the same applied for 7th dan .
It was my life long dream that I would become the only ever foreigner to enter the Kodokan high grades
Shiai as a 8 th dan and thus joining my many Japanese judoka friends who are already there.
My many thanks to the Auckland Uni club members who have help me over the last 46 yrs since I returned from Japan .
Special  thanks go to Jim Mc Phee Kodokan grade chairman who prepared and made possible my application .
Thanks Jim .
Next April I will be entering the Kodokan high grades as a hachidan feeling very nervous and worried that I might lose for the 1st time ever , but then again I might win , ha ha !
Rick Littlewood
Auckland Uni Judo inc 

Matsumura Sensei Kodokan 8th dan 90 yrs old man 

Auckland Uni Judo 1993 won 7.  Out of 8 gold at the N.Z championships