Loretta Cusack-Doyle, having earned her 1st dan in 1978, has spent her life in judo, dedicated to learning and improving her own practice while creating the best conditions for others to do the same. She progressed through the grades until being awarded her 6th dan in 1994. The IJF ratified Loretta’s 7th dan in 2000 and 8th in 2014.
A little over ten years later she has been presented with her 9th dan by IJF President Mr Marius Vizer. Receiving the diploma at the Accor Arena Bercy was particularly emotional as Loretta won both a European and a world title in the French capital during her competitive career. She is the first British woman to attain a 9th dan.
Loretta Cusack-Doyle (GBR) was a European medallist 7 times, winning the title in both 1983 and 1992. She was world champion in 1982 following her bronze medal won at the age of 16 at the First Women’s World Championships in New York, 1980. from 1993 to 2004 Loretta held various positions as a national coach for Great Britain. She has been a member of the IJF Coaching and Education Commission since 2018 and has been an EJU and IJF commentator for many years.