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KarateKen
Orange Belt
Orange Belt

Joined: 12 Nov 2021
Posts: 196
Location: Dojo
Styles: Karate

PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely. I would keep training and learning but it would be great to never test again.
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Spartacus Maximus
Black Belt
Black Belt

Joined: 01 Jun 2014
Posts: 1888

Styles: Shorin ryu

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 7:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The key is training. Ranks and testing don’t really matter to those who train for themselves and their own personal advancement in martial arts. Not testing for rank doesn’t mean that one doesn’t continue to improve.
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sensei8
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16246
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For the most part, Testing Cycles have been a means for the school to earn an income. Testing Cycles have been around for so long that they have become so ingrained in any MA school one wat or another. Therefore, testing is as common as breathing is.

Again, I would've never gave it a second thought of staying Shodan for the rest of my training days because my MA betterment is far more important than the seeking for ranks. The Testing Cycle has been around forever and a day whether there was any money attacked to it or not.

Testing Cycles are what they are and will continue on way past the time that we shuffle off our mortal coil.



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Sailor Sindbad
Yellow Belt
Yellow Belt

Joined: 05 Dec 2019
Posts: 60

Styles: Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

aurik wrote:
Many people I have talked to, usually those outside the martial arts, see earning your black belt as the end of your MA journey.


And many people inside, as can be seen here in this thread. If they "don't care about rank," why did they wait until after making shodan first before deciding that?

I can see not wanting to make a grade that requires greater involvement than showing up to train x number of days per week like everybody else.

But staying a shodan for life in order to show off fake humility does the exact opposite of that.
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sensei8
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16246
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sailor Sindbad wrote:
aurik wrote:
Many people I have talked to, usually those outside the martial arts, see earning your black belt as the end of your MA journey.


And many people inside, as can be seen here in this thread. If they "don't care about rank," why did they wait until after making shodan first before deciding that?

I can see not wanting to make a grade that requires greater involvement than showing up to train x number of days per week like everybody else.

But staying a shodan for life in order to show off fake humility does the exact opposite of that.

Solid post!!



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Wastelander
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 2711
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Styles: Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-Ryu, Judo, KishimotoDi

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sailor Sindbad wrote:
aurik wrote:
Many people I have talked to, usually those outside the martial arts, see earning your black belt as the end of your MA journey.


And many people inside, as can be seen here in this thread. If they "don't care about rank," why did they wait until after making shodan first before deciding that?

I can see not wanting to make a grade that requires greater involvement than showing up to train x number of days per week like everybody else.

But staying a shodan for life in order to show off fake humility does the exact opposite of that.


Personally, I made the decision that I didn't care about rank as a brown belt, rather than after Shodan. I spent 6 years as a brown belt, and I had no complaints, because my late Sensei had no problem teaching you if you wanted to learn, regardless of rank. He did eventually insist I test, so I did, but mainly only because I love teaching, and I know that people want instructors to have a black belt. I think it's less about humility and more about a lack of interest in the testing process. I was more interested in training than testing--sort of like I have no interest in competition. I also see the value, though, so if someone I respect wants me to give it a go, I will. It's just not something I seek out, myself.
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Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu | 2010-Present: Nidan | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Arizona Practical Karate
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LonestarCJ
White Belt
White Belt

Joined: 29 Nov 2023
Posts: 2


PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2023 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will remain a white belt as long as possible.
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