Gradings

Kyokushin karate has a belt grading system similar to other martial arts. The belt assigned to each student upon commencing training is a white belt. With each successful grading attempt the student is awarded a kyu ranking, and either a stripe on his current belt or a new belt colour altogether.

Grading, or promotion tests, include the cumulation of calisthenic and aerobic workout, kihon (basics), ido geiko (moving basics), kata (predescribed series of movements/forms), and kumite (non contact free fighting). Achieving a 1st dan black belt, or shodan, can take anywhere from three to ten years of training.

Gradings are a very important part of your training. It is a day when your focus, fitness, technical skills and understanding of your karate will play a major part in your success or failure.

Beginners wear the white belt that comes with their gi. This is useful for keeping the top of their gi together, and for some place to put their hands (and thereby keeping them under control) when practicing kicks.

Following a successful grading, they change their belt colour according to the kyu awarded by the examiner. The first kyu (grade) awarded is known as the 10th kyu. This is a red belt. The remaining colours are blue, yellow, green, brown, and then black. The same colour is worn over two successive gradings with the more senior being denoted by a strip of black down the middle of the belt.

All Dan grades wear a black belt with the appropriate number of gold stripes, and their name in Japanese script, usually katakana embroidered in one end of the belt. These belts are specially produced in Japan for the successful candidates.

Training for tests and succeeding at challenges enhance the students ability to concentrate, to focus and to plan for and triumph over setbacks or difficulties. Gradings are the way karate students, parents and the instructor are able to monitor students progress.

Karate Gradings are events held at the specific time of choosing by the Karate Instructor. The criteria for belt promotion is not only how a student performs certain Karate techniques, but also their mental approach, focus and attitude are taken into consideration.

The first few grading tests are not that difficult, however as a student progresses grading demands increase and they will need to devote more time and focus to their Karate.

Gradings are genrally held every three to six months until the student attains Shodan (Black Belt). After shodan your tests are taken at longer intervals.