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Kuro Obi (Black Belts)
This page is dedicated to the Instructors, Assistant Instructors and Students of Wales Karate Association who have achieved with the grit and determination required the status of the coveted Kuro Obi (Black Belt).
The following age and time interval requirements apply to Dan Grades within Wales Karate Association and the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Rank | 段 | Dan | Minimum Requirement |
Shodan | 初段 | 1st Dan | 15 years of age. No student can go to 1st Dan under 15yrs. |
Nidan | 弐段 | 2nd Dan | 17 years of age – 2 years since 1st Dan. |
Sandan | 参段 | 3rd Dan | 20 years of age – 3 years since 2nd Dan. |
Yondan | 四段 | 4th Dan | 24 years of age – 4 years since 3rd Dan. |
Godan | 五段 | 5th Dan | 29 years of age – 5 years since 4th Dan. |
Rokudan | 六段 | 6th Dan | 35 years of age – 6 years since 5th Dan. |
Shichidan | 七段 | 7th Dan | 42 years of age – 7 years since 6th Dan. |
Hachidan | 八段 | 8th Dan | 50 years of age – 8 years since 7th Dan. |
Kudan | 九段 | 9th Dan | Exceptional lifetime achievement for Karate. |
Judan | 十段 | 10th Dan | Exceptional lifetime achievement for Karate. |