Grading program 3rd Dan

Black belt · title Sensei

San Dan
3rd Dan

Previous grade: Ni Dan

Third 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.

Previous gradeNi Dan
Minimum tenure3 years or more as Ni Dan
Minimum ageAge 21 or older
Required kata

The forms

  1. Seipai
  2. Current command of all previous kata
Jiyu Kumite

The fight

30consecutive fights

    Tameshiwari

    • Breaking to the organization's standard.
    Beyond technique

    What is also evaluated

    Fitness

    The marks for this grade

    ConditioningExcellent, exceeding the brown belt requirement

    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

    ← Ni Dan · 2nd Dan See the whole program Yon Dan · 4th Dan →