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Karate Belts & Gradings
As with many martial arts, a belt system is used in KUGB Shotokan Karate to show the progress and proficiency of students. Belts are earned through their proven dedication to training in combination with an examination (grading). Students progress from Novice through the coloured Kyu grades (9th to 1st Kyu) to Black Belt (1st Dan). Learning Karate is unlimited and 1st Dan Black Belt is only the first in a series of Black Belt grades. Gradings under the KUGB take place under Chief Instructor Andy Sherry (9th Dan) every 3 months (or more depending on grade).
KUGB students (karateka) will be eligible to grade providing they have fulfilled all technical requirements, hold a current KUGB licence and record book and have appropriate permission.
Students must train at least twice per week at a KUGB dojo such as Torbay Karate Club in Paignton, with an approved KUGB instructor (all our instructors are qualified). The record book and licence must be available for the grading examiner's inspection and endorsement.
KUGB Shotokan Karate Belt System:
Novice / WHITE BELT
Minimum 2 months training for next grading
Kata: Kihon Kata
9th Kyu / ORANGE BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Heian Shodan
8th Kyu / RED BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Heian Nidan
7th Kyu / YELLOW BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Heian Sandan
6th Kyu / GREEN BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Heian Yondan
5th Kyu / PURPLE BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Heian Godan
4th Kyu / PURPLE & WHITE STRIPE BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Tekki Shodan
3rd Kyu / BROWN BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Bassai Dai
2nd Kyu / BROWN & WHITE STRIPE BELT
Minimum 3 months training for next grading
Kata: Bassai Dai
1st Kyu / BROWN & TWO WHITE STRIPES BELT
Minimum 6 months training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Bassai Dai; Examiner chooses from: Any Heian Kata or Tekki Shodan
1st Dan / BLACK BELT
Minimum 2 years training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Bassai Dai, Kanku Sho, Niju Shiho, Jitte or Tekki Nidan; Examiner chooses from: Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion or Hangetsu
2nd Dan / BLACK BELT
Minimum 3 years training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte or Goju Shiho Sho; Examiner chooses from: Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Niju Shiho, Jitte or Tekki Nidan
3rd Dan / BLACK BELT
Minimum 4 years training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Meikyo, Jiin, Wankan, Tekki Sandan or Goju Shiho Dai; Examiner chooses from: Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte or Goju Shiho Sho
4th Dan / BLACK BELT
Minimum 5 years training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Any Kata from Shodan syllabus and above; Examiner chooses from: One or more Kata from Shodan syllabus and above. Demonstration of applications will be requested from performed Katas.
5th Dan / BLACK BELT
Minimum 6 years training for next grading
Kata: Candidate chooses from: Any Kata from Shodan syllabus and above; Examiner chooses from: One or more Kata from Shodan syllabus and above. Demonstration of applications will be requested from performed Katas.
Once a student has reached the Karate expertise of 6th Dan (an extraordinary achievement), further Dan grades are awarded by the Technical Committee of the KUGB rather than proven through grading examination.
What is a Karate Grading Like?
The KUGB grading examiner may ask to see some or all of the Kihon, Kata and Kumite listed in the KUGB Syllabus:
Candidates may be required to demonstrate material from previous gradings to ensure overall development - a brown belt for example may be asked to perform a Heian Kata.
Allowance will be made for candidates who are unable to perform certain techniques due to physical or other restrictions.
The KUGB Syllabus is intended as a guideline to prepare students for their gradings and that the most important factor is the examinee's quality of performance.
Kyu gradings may only be taken with permission of the student's senior club instructor. They may be taken at the Torbay Karate Club dojo in Paignton, other KUGB dojo's or at special KUGB courses.
Torbay Karate Club's Instructors, Sensei Ray Alsop (6th Dan) and Sensei Bob Davies (4th Dan) are committed to teaching students to the highest level to ensure individuals can achieve their Karate ambitions to the fullest extent.