Grading program 1st Dan

Black belt · title Senpai

Sho Dan
1st Dan

Previous grade: 1st Kyu · brown belt

First Dan does not reward knowing new techniques. It rewards performing the whole colored-belt program cleanly, with real power and under pressure.

Previous grade1st Kyu · brown belt
Minimum tenureAbout 4 years of the complete colored-belt program, with at least 6 months at 1st Kyu
Minimum ageAge 15 or older for the adult grade
Required kata

The forms

  1. All the kata of the colored-belt program
  2. Pinan Sono Ichi to Go, Ura version
  3. Tensho
  4. Saifa
  5. Gekisai Sho
  6. Tekki Sono Ni
Jiyu Kumite

The fight

10consecutive fights

  • Evaluated: technique must not break down with fatigue.

Tameshiwari

  • Breaking with seiken, shuto, hiji and geri, to the organization's standard.
Beyond technique

What is also evaluated

Fitness

The marks for this grade

ConditioningAbove the 1st Kyu standard
Push-ups100 or more
Jumping squats100 or more
Chin-ups15 or more
Handstand90 seconds or more
FlexibilityChest touches the floor

The entire colored-belt program can still be required at every Dan exam. Each grade adds to the last; it never replaces it.

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.

All grades

← 1st Kyu See the whole program Ni Dan · 2nd Dan →