Rank and Grading

Coloured belts and rank are not a traditional part of Karate. They were introduced with the westernisation of Karate with the aim of providing tangible goals and thereby popularising Karate. IOGKFNZ oversees grading at IOGKFNZ affilliated dojos to provide consistent grading in-line with the IOGKF.

The rank and belt system in IOGKF Goju Ryu is shown in the table below. A beginner first grades to 10th kyu (white belt) and works towards 1st kyu.

Rank	Belt Colour
10th kyu	White
9th kyu	Blue
8th kyu	Blue with tab
7th kyu	Yellow
6th kyu	Yellow with tab
5th kyu	Green
4th kyu	Green with tab
3rd kyu	Brown
2nd kyu	Brown with tab
1st kyu	Brown with 2 tabs

After 1st kyu, the next grading is a black belt. These begin at 1st dan (shodan) and work up.

A goju-ryu black belt takes approximately 5-6 years to obtain with regular training, but this can vary by the individual.

A black belt will often have the owner's name written on it in japanese. It does not indicate the level/degree of the black belt.

Note that white with one or two tabs have been replaced by blue and blue with a tab.

Upcoming Events

2010 South Island Gasshuku and Dan Grading

06-Aug-2010

Waikato Rembuden Training Seminar

07-Aug-2010

Wellington Region Goju Ryu Karate Tournament

19-Sep-2010

2010 Ubuntu Gasshuku and World Friendship Tournament in South Africa

25-Oct-2010

Hawkes' Bay Spring Camp 2010

29-Oct-2010

2010 North Island Gasshuku and Dan Grading

12-Nov-2010