Welland Wado-Kai Karate Clubs Grading Regulations

6. Gradings and Evaluations

6.1 Kyu (Coloured) Belts

6.1.1 General

Kyu belt gradings are held in September, December, March and June of each year. Students are sent to these gradings by their instructor once he or she is satisfied that the student is proficient at his or her rank. Senior students (13 yrs +) spend an average of four to eight months at each rank. Due to the minimum age requirements at each belt, Junior students usually take longer. As an extra incentive, these young students are usually awarded up stripes on each belt. The maximum number of stripes that a junior student may be awarded is three.

Students will learn each technique by both its Japanese and its English name. Click here for Karate terminology used.

The belt levels, listed in order from novice to advanced, are as follows:

• White Belt
• Yellow Belt
• Orange Belt
• Green Belt
• Blue Belt
• Purple Belt (Awarded to students who are between 14~16 years of age)
• Brown Belt
• Red Belt (Awarded to students who are between 14 and 16 years of age)
• Black Belt – 1st Dan (Shodan)

6.1.2 Minimum Age Requirements

• Yellow Belt – 8 Years old
• Orange Belt – 9 Years old
• Green Belt – 10 Years old
• Blue Belt – 11 Years old
• Purple Belt – 12 Years old
• Brown Belt – 13 Years old
• Red Belt – 14 Years old

6.1.3 Kata Requirements

At each rank, in addition to basic techniques and “kumite” or sparring, a student must know specified “katas” or forms. A complete Kata list is provided below.

6.1.4 Grading Fee

There is a $20.00 grading fee, which is merely to cover the cost of the belt and the certificate. This fee is payable at the grading.

6.2 Black Belts

6.2.1 General

Gradings for Black Belts are held in Welland and Delhi, alternating every year. Once an instructor decides that a student is ready for grading, the student must attend a pre-grading evaluation which is held in Welland, usually six to eight weeks prior to the grading.

ALL BROWN, RED, AND BLACK BELTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THESE EVALUATIONS WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE DUE FOR GRADING.

6.2.2 Age Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the minimum standard at each rank, a student who is being graded to red belt or black belt must be at least 14 years of age or 16 years of age respectively.

6.2.3 Kata Requirements

At each rank, in addition to basic techniques and “kumite” or sparring, a student must know specified “katas” or forms. A complete Kata list is provided below.

6.2.4 Grading Fees

6.2.4.1 Red Belts

There is a $50 grading fee, which is merely to cover the cost of the belt and the certificate. This fee is payable AT THE GRADING.

6.2.4.2 Black Belts

There is a $100.00 grading fee. This fee is payable when you submit your grading application.