What is tested at each grading exam at Kaizen Dojo: the ten colored Kyu grades, from white belt to brown, and the black belt Dan grades.
Everything you learn at each grade is still tested in the exams that follow. Each grade adds to the last; it never replaces it.
Type the name or part of it, for example mawashi, dachi or shuto, and we will tell you at which grade it is required.
Your first exam. It is not about power; it is about a solid foundation: standing firm, punching straight and bringing your guard back to its place.
Stances · Strikes · Blocks · Kicks · Striking surfaces3 katas See the grade → 9th Kyu Orange beltThe repertoire opens up: back-weighted stances, long-step movement and the first circular techniques come in.
Stances · Strikes · Blocks · Kicks · Striking surfaces3 katas See the grade → 8th Kyu Orange belt with a blue stripeConsolidating orange belt. Downward and side strikes are added, and everything before must come out cleaner and with more kime.
Stances · Strikes · Striking surfaces3 katas See the grade → 7th Kyu Blue beltOpen-hand techniques, Ibuki breathing and the Pinan katas come in. It is the biggest technical leap of the colored belts.
Stances · Strikes · Blocks · Kicks · Striking surfaces3 katas See the grade → 6th Kyu Blue belt with a yellow stripeConsolidating blue belt. The open-hand repertoire is completed, in attack and in defense.
Strikes · Blocks3 katas See the grade → 5th Kyu Yellow beltCircular strikes and blocks come in, along with low stances and angled and turning movement.
Stances · Strikes · Blocks · Kicks · Striking surfaces4 katas See the grade → 4th Kyu Yellow belt with a green stripeConsolidating yellow belt. The less obvious punches and refined elbow work come in.
Strikes · Elbow strikes4 katas See the grade → 3rd Kyu Green beltFighting footwork comes in, along with the Ura katas performed with a turn and the complete elbow and fingertip repertoire.
Elbow strikes · Strikes · Striking surfaces4 katas See the grade → 2nd Kyu Green belt with a brown stripeConsolidating green belt. No new techniques are taught: everything you have built up is tested, and tested with rigor.
General review4 katas See the grade → 1st Kyu Brown beltThe last colored grade and the gateway to black belt. All the Pinan Ura katas, Tameshiwari and self-defense come in.
General review5 katas See the grade →Dan grades are awarded by the organization, not by the dojo. From third Dan onward, the exam is taken before Kancho or before the officials he appoints.
First Dan does not reward knowing new techniques. It rewards performing the whole colored-belt program cleanly, with real power and under pressure.
6 katas10 fightsMinimum age: 15 See the grade → Ni Dan 2nd Dan · title SenpaiThe first advanced kata come in and the kumite doubles. From here on, the grade also measures what you contribute to the dojo and to the organization.
4 katas20 fightsMinimum age: 18 See the grade → San Dan 3rd Dan · title SenseiThird Dan brings the title of Sensei. The exam is no longer the dojo's: it is taken before Kancho or before the officials he appoints.
2 katas30 fightsMinimum age: 21 See the grade → Yon Dan 4th Dan · title SenseiAt this level, the question is no longer whether you know it, but how well you know it and the service you have given to Kyokushin.
2 katas40 fightsMinimum age: 25 See the grade → Go Dan 5th Dan · title ShihanFifth Dan brings the title of Shihan. It is the last grade earned by examination.
2 katas50 fightsMinimum age: 30 See the grade →Everything you learn at each grade is still tested in the exams that follow. Each grade adds to the last; it never replaces it.
The fitness marks are the I.K.O. Kyokushinkaikan adult standard. In the children’s category, twelve and under, they are adjusted at the Sensei’s discretion.
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