In
order to achieve success in an examination the student must show proficiency
in the required techniques. Through the kyu grades, students
are expected to learn and demonstrate kihon (basics), including
correct stances, steps, blocks, punches and kicks. They must learn to
put these together in prearranged demonstrations of the applications
of the various techniques (kumite) and learn the KATA of the Wado-Ryu system. By brown belt level free-fighting or sparring
is conducted more, the emphasis being on speed, accuracy and control
of techniques, everything you learn up to this stage is to prepare you
for your 1st Dan black belt grading and beyond. Before a student can
attempt a grading an up-to-date license is required and a period of
at least four months of regular training must have expired since the
students last grading. A period of at least six months regular training
between 3rd and 2nd Kyu (brown belts), and at least a twelve month period
between 1st kyu (brown belt) and 1st Dan (black belt). Mastering karate
is not a short term goal. The average individual can reach black belt
first Dan in an average of four to six years, training twice a week
with no or few missed lessons. But most importantly that your progress
is consistant and satisfactory, including putting as much effort into
each lessons warm up exercises. This is a praiseworthy achievement in
its own right, and an important one for the person involved. However,
the black belt is by no means the end of the road, as there is still
much to learn thereafter.
Grades
Everyone
as a beginner in karate starts as a 10 th Kyu (white Belt)
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