Rank is awarded by the ISKF. Your rank is recognized by ISKF and JKA clubs throughout the world.
ESKC hosts a high ranking examiner of the ISKF every four months for kyu (colored belt) testing and expert instruction. Students are required to display competence for their belt level in the three facets of training: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
Dan (black belt) testing is conducted regionally. ESKC students who have progressed through the colored belt system travel to the ISKF headquarters in Philadelphia to participate in the examination with other hopeful students from the 12 states in the northeast region. Sensei Okazaki conducts the exam, accompanied by 20-30 other high ranking, qualified examiners. Standards are extremely high; there is only a 50% pass rate, with encouragement to keep training and improving to those who need to retest.
RANK/BELTS
All students begin their karate journeys as white belts, with the grade 10 kyu. Typically, the goal is to work all the way down through the numbers to 1 kyu, or brown belt. Students must develop skills through the 10 grade levels to be eligible for the coveted shodan rank, first degree black belt. It is not until you reach shodan that you will be considered a true beginner.
The kyu ranks are further divided into 'b' levels; halfway marks between full kyu grades. 'b' grades are awarded if more training is needed to attain the full rank.
The colored belt system used is:
10 kyu - 9 kyu White belt 8b -8 kyu Yellow belt 7b - 7 kyu Orange belt 6b - 6 kyu Green belt 5b - 4 kyu Purple belt (2 levels) 3b - 1 kyu Brown belt (3 levels)
Once 1 kyu is attained, students will train for one year before attempting shodan.
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