2008 Yudansha: Certified Black Belts & Dojo Instructors
Minimum Training time Required:
- 3 years of training for 1st Degree Black Belt
- 5 years for 2nd Degree Black Belt
- 8 years for 3rd Degree Black Belt (one must be 3rd Degree to be considered a Sensei with teaching license)
- 12 years for 4th Degree Black Belt
The Levels of Black Belt:
1st to 10th Degree (Dan)
1st - Shodan
2nd - Nidan
3rd
- Sandan (May hold Sensei teaching license)
4th - Yondan (May hold Renshi title Senior Instructor)
5th - Godan
(May hold Shihan title Master teacher licenses)
6th - Rokudan
7th - Nanadan (May hold Kyoshi title Teacher
of Teachers licenses)
8th - Hachidan (May hold Hanshi title
9th - Kudan
10th - Judan
There are 10 steps of Kyu or under Black Belt. These go from 10th to 1st.
A legitimate Black Belt requires several years of training. There is also an age requirement for Authentic Black Belts.
Children are required to maintain the same high standard as adults. Minimum age for full Black Belt (Shodan) is
16. This assures the standard of the system is not compromised, and each Black Belt will be proficient in all areas of training.
All Black Belts at the Ocala Karate Dojo have been taught be Shihan Bill Woodard personaly. All are Certified in Japan
and Okinawa the birthplace of Karate.
