Belts

Gup Grades

Beginner grades are referred to as Gup grades, these are a progression of ten belts (white, orange, green, brown and red) which a student grades through. New students start at 10th Gup, a promotion to 9th Gup can be awarded in class by their instructor once they have achieved their basic knowledge. Promotion to 8th Gup and above occurs at a regional grading overseen by senior Master grade instructors.

10th & 9th Gup – White Belt (9th is denoted by a black band added to the belt).
The minimum time to reach 9th Gup is 6 weeks.

8th Gup – Orange Belt.
The minimum time to reach 8th Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

7th Gup – Orange Tag Belt.
The minimum time to reach 7th Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

6th Gup – Green Belt.
The minimum time to reach 6th Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

5th Gup – Green Tag Belt.
The minimum time to reach 5th Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

4th Gup – Brown Belt.
The minimum time to reach 4th Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

3rd Gup – Brown Tag Belt.
The minimum time to reach 3rd Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

2nd Gup – Red Belt.
The minimum time to reach 2nd Gup is 3 months / 24 classes.

1st Gup – Red Tag Belt.
The minimum time to reach 1st Gup is 6 months / 60 classes.

Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidate) – Blue Belt.
The minimum time to reach Cho Dan Bo is 6 months / 60 classes.

Dan Grades

Dan grades are 1st Dan through to 9th Dan. 1st Dan through 3rd are Black Belt grades, 4th through 7th are Master Black Belt grades, 8th and 9th are Grandmaster grades.

1st to 3rd Dan – Black Belt. Dan level is signified by the number of white bands (1 to 3) applied to the belt.
The minimum time to reach 1st Dan is 1 year / 100 classes. Each additional rank take that many years more time to achieve (minimum), i.e. to reach 2nd Dan requires two more years, 3rd Dan is three more years after that.

4th to 7th Dan – Black Belt with Red Stripe. Master level is signified by the number of gold bands 4 to 7) applied to the belt.