Recently a nidan from another part of our association, with whom we had not seen train before, asked us to grade him to sandan. “I have done part of it”, with another instructor he said. “…are you going to be a good Shihan?”….”I will do [insert syllabus] for my sandan.”….. (Oh oh…this does not bode well)
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So should you ask for a black belt?
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Asking for a black belt regardless of your level, style or skill? NO! Absolutely not. A lot of people feel like they deserve a belt, deserve the rank. ‘I can beat this guy, I can beat that guy. I know the syllabus.’……The fact of the matter is!….. You DON’T deserve anything.
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A belt is an agreement between you and the instructor, that you represent what they teach, and that’s it.
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Every instructor has their own set of criteria and maybe the student doesn’t fulfill them yet. Progressing through the ranks in karate is a long, long process and students should focus on improving, instead of being obsessed by belts. Being a ‘belt hunter’ or obsessed with being promoted to the next belt is a big mistake.
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It raises a massive red flag for your instructor who can actually start to think that you are only interested in being promoted so you can brag about your belt level, instead of being interested in the other important aspects of the art.
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Some instructors may even have an unwritten rule where if a student asks them about a belt, they will delay the promotion even further!
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Forget about the belt; it’s your skill that matters, your attitude, your actions. Some deserve it, others don’t.
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The nidan decided his skills (or lack of them), would be better placed elsewhere. He was right! ??
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With thanks to Ramsey Dewey