Vancouver Richmond Goju-Ryu Karate-do
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GRADING SYSTEM

The following grading system is used in WSK Sekishinkan Karate-do:
​

INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
Karate Kids Program (for ages 4-7)

Introductory level of Karate
Level
Belt Color
​

Prerequisite
KK0
Picture
Entry level, no test required
KK1
Picture
Minimum age of 4 and 8 classes practice at KK0 level
KK2
Picture
Minimum 12 classes practice at KK1 level
KK3
Picture
Minimum age of 5 with 12 classes practice at KK2 level
KK4
Picture
Minimum 12 classes practice at KK3 level
KK5
Picture
Minimum age of 6 with 12 classes practice at KK4 level
KK6
Picture
Minimum 12 classes practice at KK5 level
KK7
Picture
Minimum 12 classes practice at KK6 level
KK8
Picture
Minimum age of 7 with 16 classes practice at KK7 level
KK9

Picture
Minimum 16 classes practice at KK8 level
KK10
​
Picture
​Minimum 16 classes practice at KK9 level
9 Kyu
​
Picture
 Age of 8, Minimum 16 classes practice at KK10 level

​GOJU-RYU LEVEL
Goju-Ryu Karate-do (for age 8 and up)

Karate Color Belts
Level
Belt Color
​

Prerequisite
Promoting Content Guideline
10 Kyu
Picture
Entry level, no test required
​
​
n/a
9 Kyu
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Minimum 3 months practice at 10 Kyu with 80% of attendance or 24 classes within 6 months, at least attended 1 competition.
Kihon, Dachi, Ido, Yasoku Kumite, Taikyoku Jodan   
8 Kyu
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Minimum 3 months practice at 9 Kyu with 80% of attendance or 24 classes with 6 months, at least attended 1 competition.
Kihon, Ido, Yasoku Kumite, Taikyoku Jodan 2 & 3
7 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 3 months practice at 8 Kyu with 80% of attendance or 24 classes with 6 months, at least attended 1 competition.
Kihon, Ido, Yasoku Kumite, Taikyoku Chudan, Gedan
6 Kyu
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Minimum 24 classes practice at 7 KYU. Attend at least attended 2 competition.
​Kihon, Ido, Yasoku Kumite, Jiyu Kumite, Geiksai Ichi, Geiksai Ni, Sanchin. Physical Fitness required.
5 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 24 classes practice at 6 KYU. ​Attend at least attended 2 competition.
​Kihon, Ido, Jiyu Kumite, Taikyoku Chudan 2, Saifa, Sanchin. Physical Fitness required.
4 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 24 classes practice at 5 KYU. Attend at least attended 2 competition.
Kihon, Ido, Jiyu Kumite, Taikyoku Chudan 3, Seienchin, Sanchin. Physical Fitness required.
3 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 24 classes practice at 4 KYU. Attend at least attended 2 competition.​ Sensei’s recommendation required.
Kihon, Ido, Jiyu Kumite, Taikyoku Gedan 2, Seienchin, Sanchin. Physical Fitness required.
2 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 24 classes practice at 3 KYU. Attend at least attended 2 competition.​ Sensei’s recommendation required.​​
Kihon, Ido, Jiyu Kumite, Taikyoku Bunkai, Taikyoku Gedan 3, Shisochin, Sanchin. Physical Fitness required.
1 Kyu
Picture
Minimum 24 classes practice at 2 KYU. Attend at least attended 2 competition.​ Sensei’s recommendation required.​
Kihon, Ido, Jiyu Kumite, Gekisai Bunkai, Sanseiru, Sanchin, Tensho. Physical Fitness required.

​GOJU-RYU LEVEL
Goju-Ryu Karate-do (for age 8 and up)

Karate Black belt
Level / Belt Color
Title
​

Prerequisite
SHODAN-HO
Probationary 
​​
1st Degree
Picture
none
  • minimum 9 months practice at 1 Kyu with 90% of attendance
  • attended 2 competitions
  • Dojocho's recommendation

SHODAN
1st Degree
Picture
none
  • minimum 9 months practice at 1 Kyu or 6 months at Shodan-Ho
  • 90% of attendance
  • attended 2 competitions
  • Dojocho's recommendation
​

NIDAN-HO
​Probationary ​
​2nd
 Degree
Picture
none
  • minimum age of 20
  • minimum 2 year active practice and assisting at Shodan with 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Instructor Training Phase
  • Dojocho's recommendation

NIDAN
​2nd Degree
Picture
none
  • minimum age of 20
  • minimum 2 year active practice and assisting at Shodan or minimum 1.5 years active practice and assisting at Nidan-Ho
  • 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Instructor Training Phase
  • Dojocho's recommendation

SANDAN
3rd Degree
Picture
Shidoin
  • minimum age of 25
  • minimum 3 year active and service at Nidan with 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Instructor certified Phase
  • Dojocho's recommendation

YONDAN
4th Degree
Picture
Shidoshi
  • minimum age of 30
  • minimum 4 year active and service at Sandan with 80% of attendance
  • ​NCCP Instructor Maintenance Phase
  • Dojocho's recommendation
  • Shuseki Shihan's confirmation

GODAN
5th Degree
Picture
Shihan
  • minimum 5 year active and service at Yodan with 80% of attendance
  • ​NCCP Competition Training Phase
  • Shuseki Shihan's recommendation
  • Kancho's confirmation

ROKUDAN
6th Degree
Picture
Renshi
  • minimum 6 year active and service at Godan with 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Competition Certified Phase
  • Shuseki Shihan's recommendation
  • Kancho's confirmation

NANADAN
7th Degree
Picture
Kyoshi
  • minimum 7 year active and service at Rokudan with 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Competition Maintenance Phase
  • Shuseki Shihan's recommendation
  • Kancho's confirmation

HACHIDAN
​8th Degree
Picture
Hanshi
  • minimum 8 year active and service at Nanadan with 80% of attendance
  • NCCP Competition Maintenance Phase
  • Shuseki Shihan's recommendation
  • Kancho's confirmation

KYUDAN
9th Degree
Picture
Hanshi
  • n/a

​

JUDAN
10th Degree
Picture
Hanshi
  • n/a

​

** The above charts show only the guideline which might change depending on the progress and average standard of students.

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Instructors / Blackbelts
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Kanryo Higaonna
Chojun Miyagi
Gogen Yamaguchi
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