Age is just a number: In Defense of a Young Black Belt

• About
• Latest Posts

Jeff Munoz

Jeff is martial novice. At a young age, he studied Taekwondo. As an adult, Jeff's martial arts experience includes half a semester of Judo, about three months of Tai Chi, and just over four years of Wing Chun and Arnis.

Latest posts by Jeff Munoz (see all)

• Age is just a number: In Defense of a Young Black Belt - May 16, 2019
• March Movie Madness: The Karate Kid vs. Rumble in the Bronx - April 8, 2019
• The Martial Musings of a Novice: An Introduction - February 27, 2018

As Martial Journal’s resident novice, I have volunteered to write an article in defense the young black belt featured in the recent Telegraph article. While the article does make quite a few statements that would give any martial artist pause, I’m only going to be speaking about why I feel there is no reason to refute the young lady’s newly awarded rank. Of course, everything I write is my humble opinion just as my fellow contributor stated theirs in this sister article that you should check out. That said, hopefully I can bring up a few points that will warm you up to the idea that age is just a number and that it shouldn’t be the sole reason to deny someone their rank.

What is a Black Belt?

Allow me to start with an existential question. What is a black belt? At the most basic level, a black belt is a rank. A position in a hierarchy. One that is achieved by meeting the requirements set before them based on the practitioner’s martial art. A second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do doesn’t step into a Judo club, tie on on their black belt, and jump up to the front of the line. Given this, we shouldn’t equate one black belt to another. I make this my first point because I want to emphasize that the martial arts are so vast that making sweeping statements do no justice to anyone. Sure, speak to what a black belt should be in your system but take a moment and recognize that everyone practices martial arts in their own way and yes, sometimes it seems…questionable.

What does a Black Belt signify?

If a black belt in Karate isn’t the same as a black belt BJJ or Tae Kwon Do, why is it that everyone respects this rank no matter the style? It must be because of what a black belt represents. It doesn’t matter if you received your rank by gaining mastery of rattan sticks or becoming proficient in Chi Sao. If you are a black belt, you stuck around. You showed discipline, perseverance, and maturity. These are all mental attributes. Discipline is learned. Perseverance is something we prove in class, but what about maturity? Is this an attribute that we have no ability to measure or control? Do we have to wait until we’re old enough? General Choi Hong Hi, the father of Tae Kwon Do, refers to black belts: “Opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do”. He specifies maturity in your art, not in life.

How does one receive a Black Belt?

I have spoken on the more cerebral aspects of a black belt, now let’s talk about the nuts and bolts. What does someone have to do, on paper, to gain the rank of black belt? I understand there are as many associations and federations as there are stars in the sky, so for the sake of brevity, I chose two arts.

Japanese Karate Association

This link will take any reader to The Japanese Karate Association’s requirements for promotion. Everything seems standard with each kyu rank introducing a new technique or kata as well as a form of kumite. Then we get to the 1st dan. Again, nothing special. A cumulative list of techniques and kata but most importantly, no age requirement. In fact, it isn’t until someone tests for a third-degree black belt that an age requirement is imposed. The minimum age for a 3rd-degree black belt in the JKA is 18 years of age. This means our six-year-old Black belt would have committed no transgression in the JKA.

International Taekwon-Do Federation and World Taekwondo Federation

Unlike the JKA, the International Taekwon-Do Federation and World Taekwondo Federation both differentiate between junior and senior black belts. For those interested, the following link will direct one to the Kukkiwon’s examination page. Article 8 Specifies the time and age limit for promotion. Based on my reading, there were only two differences between Junior and senior ranks. The following is a quote from an ITF administration article: “In ITF Authentic Taekwon-Do there are two different categories per se of Black Belt 1st Dan. There is a Junior Black Belt and a full (senior) Black Belt. The only difference between the two as far as grading requirements go is the number of boards broken during the grading.” Indeed, two things separate a junior black belt from a senior: age and board breaks.

So, if this young lady was a practitioner of Taekwondo a senior black belt is out of the question. Yet, there is hope for her. WTF Taekwondo awards a “Poom certificate”. At the age of 15, a practitioner can automatically be awarded a Dan rank equal to their Poom grade. Meaning, in a hypothetical world within two years this young lady could be a 2nd Poom. No different from a 2nd degree black belt save for her age.

Closing thoughts

I wrote this article with the hopes of gaining insight on how we martial artists apply a hierarchy to our systems. The mythos behind the black belt has grown to unmanageable proportions. To some, they are the pinnacle of martial achievement. To others, a black belt is not the end of the martial arts journey, but a respectable milestone on our never-ending quest.

Besides, a black belt isn’t even the final color belt you can receive in some systems. Judo, BJJ, and Okinawan Karate all award some form red belt after 6th dan. Neil Ohlenkamp mentions that a black belt in Judo indicates you have achieved a basic level of proficiency, learned the fundamental skills and can perform them in a functional manner. So, in my humble opinion, why does it matter that the young girl is six years old? If she can meet the requirements of her system more power to her. If her passion for the martial arts is the same at 60 as it is at 6 imagine all the good she can achieve.