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Think of the grading day to be just another training.

The first half of the class will be dedicated to warming-up and going through grading techniques and etiquette. It is important to arrive early, as you may not be admitted to grade by the examiner if you arrive late.


For beginners, make sure you bring your white uniform, the Karate Gi as regular gym clothes are not accepted for grading. You will also need to submit a completed physical copy of the JKA Shotokan Ireland Membership Form to the examiners before grading. This will allow you to receive the JKA membership booklet which will open the door to train in any JKA dojos and seminars in the world, including the headquarters in Japan.


And lastly, get plenty of rest before the grading and bring your best self on the day.

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Karate Belt System Explained

In karate, like many traditional martial arts, students progress through a ranking system known as "Kyu" (which means "Class" in Japanese). When you first join the dojo, you'll start with a white belt and be ranked as 10th Kyu. To move up through the ranks, you'll need to participate in gradings, where your skills will be assessed by an examination panel.


After reaching 1st Kyu, you’ll have the opportunity to earn your black belt, and the ranks then switch to "Dan," which means "Step." Earning your first black belt is just the beginning - it’s called "Shodan," meaning "the first step," as it's widely believed that this is when your real training begins!

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JKA Kyu Grading Syllabus

At UCD Karate, we follow the grading syllabus set by the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and the JKA Shotokan Ireland program.


Be sure to review your syllabus below and don't hesitate to ask your instructor or senior members any questions before your grading. We're here to help you feel prepared and confident!


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10th to 9th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Jodan Age-uke 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Kata: Kihon – (Count 20 – 8 & 16)
  • Kumite: Sanbon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan

9th to 8th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Jodan Age-uke 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Gedan-barai 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Kata: Heian Shodan – (Count 21 – 9 & 17)
  • Kumite: Gohon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan

* Examiners look predominantly for correct basic form

8th to 7th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Jodan Age-uke 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Gedan-barai 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Heian Nidan – (Count 26 – 11 & 26)
  • Kumite: Gohon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan

7th to 6th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Heian Sandan – (Count 20 – 10 & 20)
  • Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan left/ right

6th to 5th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Heian Yondan – (Count 27 – 13 & 25)
  • Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri left/ right

* Examiners look for correct pivoting of the hips during renzoku-waza, and clear grasp of the hand techniques

5th to 4th Kyu

  • Forward Chudan Jun-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Mawashi-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Heian Godan – (Count 23 – 12 & 19)
  • Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri left/ right

4th to 3rd Kyu

  • Forward Sambon Renzuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Mawashi-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Tekki Shodan – (Count 29 – 15 & 29)
  • Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri/ Yoko Ke-komi left/ right

* Examiners are looking for appropriate degree of strength and sharpness of execution in each technique (Kihon, Kata and Kumite)

3rd to 2nd Kyu

  • Forward Sambon Renzuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Mawashi-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Sentei Kata(Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi) Student may choose from any of these.
  • Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite (3 metre apart) — Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Kekomi/Mawashi-geri (right/one side)

2nd to 1st Kyu

  • Forward Sambon Renzuki 3 times
  • Backward Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) 3 times
  • Backward Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki 3 times
  • Forward Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) 3 times
  • Forward Mae-geri 3 times
  • Forward Mawashi-geri 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Forward Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right 3 times
  • Kata: Sentei Kata(Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi) Student may choose from any of these.
  • Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite (3 metre apart) — Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Kekomi/Mawashi-geri (right/one side)

* Examiners look for ease and naturalness of execution, for speedy and powerful kime, and for smooth, instantaneous, dynamic elasticity of delivery

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