Kyokushin Grading Requirements: Techniques, Kata & Kumite by Belt
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Kyokushin Karate uses a structured grading system consisting of student grades (kyu) followed by black belt grades (dan).
As a practitioner progresses, the technical requirements become increasingly demanding. Gradings can include stances, hand techniques, blocks, kicks, kata, combinations, kumite, theory and physical conditioning.
The syllabus below follows the grading requirements published by a Lithuanian Kyokushin Karate club and should be used as a reference.
Important: Kyokushin grading requirements may differ between countries, organisations and dojos. Always check the current requirements provided by your own sensei or organisation before preparing for an examination.
Kyokushin Belt Progression
10th Kyu - Orange Belt
9th Kyu - Orange Belt with Blue Stripe
8th Kyu - Blue Belt
7th Kyu - Blue Belt with Yellow Stripe
6th Kyu - Yellow Belt
5th Kyu - Yellow Belt with Green Stripe
4th Kyu - Green Belt
3rd Kyu - Green Belt with Brown Stripe
2nd Kyu - Brown Belt
1st Kyu - Brown Belt with Black Stripe
1st Dan - Black Belt (Shodan)
10th Kyu - Orange Belt
Stances
Yoi Dachi
Fudo Dachi
Zenkutsu Dachi
Hand Techniques
Oi Tsuki - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Morote Tsuki - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Blocks
Seiken Jodan Uke
Seiken Mae Gedan Barai
Kicks
Hiza Ganmen Geri
Kin Geri
Theory
How to wear and fold the karate gi
How to tie the belt
Dojo etiquette
Forms of greeting
Meaning and symbol of Kyokushinkai
Founder of Kyokushin Karate
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 5 up to age 14 / 10 up to age 16 / 20 adults
Sit-ups: 15 up to age 14 / 20 up to age 16 / 25 adults
Squats: 15 up to age 14 / 20 up to age 16 / 25 adults
9th Kyu - Orange Belt with Blue Stripe
Stances
Musubi Dachi
Sanchi Dachi
Kokutsu Dachi
Hand Techniques
Seiken Ago Uchi
Seiken Gyaku Tsuki - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Blocks
Seiken Chudan Uchi Uke
Seiken Chudan Soto Uke
Kicks
Mae Geri Chudan Chusoku
Breathing
Nogare
Kata
Taikyoku Sono Ichi
Taikyoku Sono Ni
Kumite
Sanbon Kumite
Theory
History of Kyokushinkai Karate
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 10 up to age 14 / 15 up to age 16 / 25 adults
Sit-ups: 15 up to age 14 / 25 up to age 16 / 35 adults
Squats: 15 up to age 14 / 20 up to age 16 / 35 adults
8th Kyu - Blue Belt
Stances
Kiba Dachi - 90° and 45°
Hand Techniques
Shita Tsuki
Jun Tsuki
Teate Tsuki - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Blocks
Morote Chudan Uchi Uke
Seiken Chudan Uchi Uke - Mawashi Gedan Barai
Kicks
Mae Geri Jodan Chusoku
Kata
Taikyoku Sono San
Kumite
Yakusoku Ippon Kumite
Renraku
Mae Geri Chudan Chusoku → Gyaku Chudan Tsuki
Seiken Chudan Soto Uke → Gedan Barai → Gyaku Chudan Tsuki
Theory
Practical meaning and application of kata
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 15 up to age 14 / 20 up to age 16 / 30 adults
Sit-ups: 20 up to age 14 / 30 up to age 16 / 40 adults
Squats: 20 up to age 14 / 30 up to age 16 / 40 adults
7th Kyu - Blue Belt with Yellow Stripe
Stances
Neko Ashi Dachi
Hand Techniques
Tettsui Komi Kami Uchi
Tettsui Oroshi Ganmen Uchi
Tettsui Hizo Uchi
Tetsui Yoko Uchi - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Blocks
Mawashi Gedan Barai
Shuto Mawashi Uke
Kicks
Mae Chusoku Keage
Teisoku Mawashi Soto Keage
Haisoku Mawashi Uchi Keage
Yoko Sokuto Keage
Kata
Pinan Sono Ichi
Breathing
Ibuki Sankai
Kiai
Theory
Purpose of warming up and methods of performing a warm-up
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 20 up to age 14 / 25 up to age 16 / 35 adults
Sit-ups: 25 up to age 14 / 35 up to age 16 / 45 adults
Squats: 25 up to age 14 / 35 up to age 16 / 45 adults
6th Kyu - Yellow Belt
Stances
Tsuru Ashi Dachi
Jiyu Kamae Dachi
Hand Techniques
Uraken Shomen Ganmen Uchi
Uraken Sayu Ganmen Uchi
Uraken Hizo Uchi
Uraken Oroshi Ganmen Uchi
Uraken Mawashi Uchi
Nihon Nukite Jodan (Me Tsuki)
Yohon Nukite Jodan
Yohon Nukite Chudan
Blocks
Seiken Juji Uke - Jodan / Gedan
Kicks
Kansetsu Geri
Yoko Geri Chudan
Mawashi Geri Gedan
Kata
Pinan Sono Ni
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
5 bouts - up to age 10
10 bouts - from age 11
Theory
Purpose and methods of Jiyu Kumite exercises
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 25 up to age 14 / 30 up to age 16 / 40 adults
Sit-ups: 30 up to age 14 / 40 up to age 16 / 50 adults
Squats: 30 up to age 14 / 40 up to age 16 / 50 adults
5th Kyu - Yellow Belt with Green Stripe
Stances
Moro Ashi Dachi
Hand Techniques
Shotei Uchi - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Jodan Hiji Ate Uchi
Blocks
Shotei Uke - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Kicks
Mawashi Geri Chudan - Chusoku / Haisoku
Ushiro Geri - Chudan / Gedan
Kata
Pinan Sono San
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
10 bouts - up to age 10
12 bouts - up to age 16
12 bouts - up to age 18
12 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Renraku
Mae Geri Chudan → Yoko Geri Chudan → Ushiro Geri Chudan → Zenkutsu Dachi → Gyaku Tsuki Chudan → Kamae Dachi
Theory
Kyokushin Karate fighting method
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 30 up to age 14 / 35 up to age 16 / 45 adults
Sit-ups: 35 up to age 14 / 45 up to age 16 / 55 adults
Squats: 35 up to age 14 / 45 up to age 16 / 55 adults
4th Kyu - Green Belt
Stances
Heisoku Dachi
Heiko Dachi
Ushihachi Ji Dachi
Hand Techniques
Shuto Sakotsu Uchi
Shuto Sakotsu Uchi Komi
Shuto Yoko Ganmen Uchi
Shuto Hizo Uchi
Shuto Jodan Uchi Uchi
Blocks
Shuto Uchi Uke Jodan
Shuto Jodan Uke
Shuto Chudan Uchi Uke
Shuto Chudan Soto Uke
Mae Shuto Mawashi Uke
Shuto Mae Gedan Barai
Kicks
Yoko Geri Jodan
Mawashi Geri Jodan - Haisoku / Chusoku
Ushiro Geri Jodan
Kata
Sanchin no Kata
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
12 bouts - up to age 10
14 bouts - up to age 16
15 bouts - up to age 18
15 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Theory
Anatomical effects of Ibuki breathing
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 30 up to age 14 / 40 up to age 16 / 50 adults
Sit-ups: 40 up to age 14 / 50 up to age 16 / 60 adults
Squats: 40 up to age 14 / 50 up to age 16 / 60 adults
3rd Kyu - Green Belt with Brown Stripe
Stances
Kake Dachi
Hand Techniques
Chudan Hiji Ate Uchi
Mae Hiji Ate Uchi - Jodan / Chudan
Age Hiji Ate Uchi - Jodan / Chudan
Oroshi Hiji Ate Uchi
Ushiro Hiji Ate (Ura) Uchi
Blocks
Shuto Juji Uke - Jodan / Gedan
Kicks
Mae Kakato Geri - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Kata
Pinan Sono Yon
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
15 bouts - up to age 10
16 bouts - up to age 16
18 bouts - up to age 18
18 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Theory
Knowledge of technical and competition terminology
Meditation
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 35 up to age 14 / 45 up to age 16 / 60 adults
Sit-ups: 45 up to age 14 / 60 up to age 16 / 70 adults
Squats: 45 up to age 14 / 60 up to age 16 / 70 adults
2nd Kyu - Brown Belt
Hand Techniques
Hiraken Tsuki - Jodan / Chudan
Hiraken Oroshi Uchi
Hiraken Mawashi Uchi
Haisu Uchi - Jodan / Chudan
Koken Uchi - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Jodan Age Tsuki
Blocks
Koken Uke - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Kicks
Tobi Nidan Geri
Tobi Mae Geri
Kata
Pinan Sono Go
Gekisai Dai
Renraku
Gedan Barai → Seiken Ago Uchi → Seiken Gyaku Chudan Tsuki → Mae Geri → Mawashi Geri → Ushiro Geri → Mae Gedan Barai → Seiken Gyaku Chudan Tsuki
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
18 bouts - up to age 16
20 bouts - up to age 18
20 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Theory
Questions about the theory and practice of leading karate training
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 50 up to age 16 / 70 adults
Sit-ups: 70 up to age 16 / 80 adults
Squats: 70 up to age 16 / 80 adults
1st Kyu - Brown Belt with Black Stripe
Hand Techniques
Ryutoken Uchi – Jodan / Chudan
Nakayubi Ipponken Tsuki – Jodan / Chudan
Oyayubi Ipponken Uchi – Jodan / Chudan
Blocks
Kake Uke – Jodan / Chudan
Haito Uchi Uke Chudan
Kicks
Jodan Uchi Haisoku Geri
Oroshi Uchi Kakato Geri
Oroshi Soto Kakato Geri
Tobi Yoko Geri
Kata
Yantsu
Tsuki no Kata
Renraku
Oi Tsuki → Gyaku Tsuki → Oi Tsuki → Shita Tsuki
Mawashi Geri → Oi Tsuki → Gyaku Tsuki → Mawashi Geri
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
25 bouts - up to age 18
25 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Theory
Knowledge of refereeing
Referee commands
Managing a fight
Physical Conditioning
Push-ups: 55 up to age 16 / 80 adults
Sit-ups: 80 up to age 16 / 90 adults
Squats: 80 up to age 16 / 90 adults
1st Dan - Shodan Black Belt
After completing the kyu grades, the practitioner can progress to the first Dan grade and the black belt.
Hand Techniques
Morote Haito Uchi - Chudan / Jodan
Haito Uchi - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Blocks
Morote Kake Uke - Chudan / Jodan
Morote Haito Uchi Uke Chudan
Osae Uke
Kicks
Mawashi Kake Geri - Kakato / Chushoku – Chudan / Jodan
Ushiro Mawashi Geri - Jodan / Chudan / Gedan
Kata
Tensho
Saiha
Taikyoku Sono Ichi Ura
Taikyoku Sono Ni Ura
Taikyoku Sono San Ura
Renraku
Mawashi Geri → Ushiro Mawashi Geri → Mae Geri Jodan → Mawashi Geri → Ushiro Mawashi Geri
Kumite
Jiyu Kumite:
30 bouts - adults
10 bouts - seniors from age 35
Theory
Master-level knowledge of Kyokushin Karate philosophy and technique
What Is Tested in a Kyokushin Grading?
Depending on the grade, a Kyokushin examination can test several different areas of training.
These can include:
- Kihon - basic techniques
- Ido Geiko - techniques performed while moving
- Kata
- Physical conditioning
- Theory
- Kumite
As the practitioner progresses through the grades, both the technical difficulty and physical requirements increase.
Do Kyokushin Grading Requirements Differ Between Organisations?
Yes.
While the core techniques of Kyokushin are widely shared, the exact syllabus can differ between national federations, international organisations and individual dojos.
Kata may be introduced at different grades, physical requirements can differ and the required number of kumite bouts may also vary.
For this reason, this guide should be treated as a reference. When preparing for an actual grading, always follow the current syllabus given to you by your sensei or Kyokushin organisation.
Final Thoughts
The Kyokushin grading system builds progressively from fundamental stances, punches, blocks and kicks toward increasingly advanced kata, combinations and kumite.
Rather than simply collecting belts, each grade represents another stage in developing technique, conditioning, discipline and understanding of Kyokushin Karate.
OSU.