Kio holds regular testing for kyu (colour belts) and dan (black belt) levels.
Every student is tested against international guide lines as set by JKA headquarters. Each level has a specific set of requirements and gradually increase in complexity. This aids the student in understanding his or her progress and
helps the instructor in determining the students training needs.
Much like the school system each level builds on the previous level. It is therefore important that the student firmly grasp the requirements for one level before moving to the next.
Tests are conducted in a fair and impartial manner with each student testing against the standard
although age and physical limitations may also be taken into consideration.
Students are tested in three areas:
Kihon (basics)
Kata (form exercise)
Kumite (sparring)
We have listed the requirements for each Kyu and Dan level
Kyu Requirements
There are minimum time requirements between the various kyu levels.
These are either three (3) months or six (6) months.
The time requirements are based on training at least 3 times a week
Therefore 3 months would mean at least 35-40 classes and 6 months would be at least 75-80 classes.
8th Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki (forward: middle punch)
Jodan Age-uke (back: rising block)
Chudan Soto-uke (forward: middle block)
Shuto-uke (back: knife-hand block/back stance)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Gedan Berai (back: lower block)
Kata: Heian Shodan
Kumite: Gohon Kumite—Jodan/Chudan (5 step sparring)
7th Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki (forward: middle punch)
Jodan Age-uke (back: rising block)
Chudan Soto-uke (forward: outside middle block)
Chudan Uchi-uke ( back: inside middle block)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Shuto-uke (back: knife-hand block/back stance)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Kata: Heian Nidan
Kumite: Gohon Kumite—Jodan/Chudan (5 step sparring)
6th Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki Jodan (forward: middle punch)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan Soto-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (forward: middle block/reverse punch)
Chudan-Uchi-uke (back: inside middle block)
Mae-geri (forward front kick)
Shuto-uke (back: knife hand block/back stance)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right (side thrust kick/side-stance)
Kata: Heian Sandan
Kumite: Ippon Kumite—Jodan/Chudan left/right (1 step )
5th Kyu
Kihon
Chudan Oi-zuki Jodan (forward: middle punch)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan Soto-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (forward: middle block/reverse punch)
Chudan-Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back inside middle block /reverse punch)
Mae-geri (forward front kick)
Gedan Berai+Gyaku-tsuki(back: lower block/reverse punch)
Shuto-uke (back: knife hand block/back stance)
Mawashi-geri (forward round-house kick)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right
(side snap kick/side-stance)
Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right (side thrust kick/side-stance)
Kata: Heian Yondan
Kumite: Ippon Kumite Jodan/Chudan/Mae geri left/right
4th Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki Jodan (forward: middle punch)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan Soto-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (forward: middle block/reverse punch)
Chudan-Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: inside middle block/reverse punch)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Gedan Berai+Gyaku-tsuki(back: lower block/reverse punch)
Mawashi-geri (forward: round-house kick)
Shuto-uke+Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi)(back:
knife hand block/back stance to spear hand/front stance)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right (side thrust kick/side-stance)
Kata: Heian Godan
Kumite: Ippon Kumite—Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri left/right (1 step sparring)
3rd Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki (forward: middle punch)
Sambon Renzuki (turn: triple punch jodan/chudan/chudan)
Chudan Soto-uke+Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi/Kiba-dachi)
(forward: middle block/front stance to elbow/side stance)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan-Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (foreward: inside middle block/reverse punch)
Shuto-uke+Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi/Zenkutsu-dachi back:
knife hand block/back stance to spear hand/front stance)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Mawashi-geri (turn: round-house kick)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right (side thrust kick/side-stance)
Kata: Tekki Shodan
Kumite: Ippon Kumite—
Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Ke-komi left/right
2nd Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki (forward: middle punch)
Sambon Renzuki (turn: triple punch jodan/chudan/chudan)
Chudan Soto-uke+Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi/Kiba-dachi)
(forward: middle block/front stance to elbow/side stance)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan-Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (foreward: inside middle block/reverse punch)
Shuto-uke+Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi/Zenkutsu-dachi back:
knife hand block/back stance to spear hand/front stance)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Mawashi-geri (turn: round-house kick)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right (side thrust kick/side-stance)
Kata: Sentei Kata (Bassaidai, Kankudai, Jion, Empi)
student must choose one of these
Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite
Jodan/Chudan/Mae geri/Yoko Ke-komi left/right
1st Kyu
Kihon:
Chudan Oi-zuki (forward: middle punch)
Sambon Renzuki (turn: triple punch jodan/chudan/chudan)
Chudan Soto-uke+Yoko Empi+Yoko Uraken
(Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) (forward: middle
block/front stance to elbow /back fist/side stance)
Age-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (back: rising block/reverse punch)
Chudan Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki (foreward: inside middle block/reverse punch)
Shuto-uke+Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi/Zenkutsu-dachi back:
knife hand block/back stance to spear hand/front stance)
Mae-geri (forward: front kick)
Mawashi-geri (turn: round-house kick)
Rengeri (Chudan/Jodan) (forward: double front kick)
Yoko Ke-komi (Zenkutsu-dachi) left/right (turn: side thrust kick/front-stance)
Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right (side snap kick/side-stance)
Kata: Sentei Kata (Bassai dai, Kanku dai, Jion, Empi)
student must choose one of these
Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite (one side only)
Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Ke-komi/Mawashi-geri
* Examiners look for ease and naturalness of execution, for speedy and powerful kime, and for smooth, instantaneous, dynamic elasticity of delivery.
