International Dan Grading

WKO are privileged to be able to host the International Dan Gradings.

We are even more privileged to have a grading panel that consists of masters qualified from 4th Dan and above. Over seen by WKO World President Jon Green 7th Dan.

Grading panels may vary but will be a minimum of 3 from the above list of WKO Masters

Black Belt 1st Dan

To be graded to 1st Degree Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 3yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of Brown Belt (1st KYU) for 12 months

Black Belt 2nd Dan

To be graded to 2nd Dan Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 5yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of 1st Dan for a minimum of 2 years

Black Belt 3rd Dan

To be graded to 3rd Dan Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 8yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of 2nd Dan for a minimum of 3 years

Black Belt 4th Dan

To be graded to 4th Dan Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 12yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of 3rd Dan for a minimum of 4 years

Black Belt 5th Dan

To be graded to 5th Dan Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 17yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of 4th Dan for a minimum of 5 years

Black Belt 6th Dan

To be graded to 6th Dan Black Belt you must have been training for a minimum of 23yrs and been previously graded to a minimum of 5th Dan for a minimum of 6 years

Dan Grades
& Fees

WKO Grading Syllabus

WKO International Dan Grading Information

What’s Included in Basic Grading Fees

Plain Black Belt
Certificate
Registration into the International Black Belt Register

Basic Dan Grades & Fees

£75 – 1st Dan Black Belt
£85 – 2nd Dan Black Belt
£95 – 3rd Dan Black Belt
£105 – 4th Dan Black Belt
£115 – 5th Dan Black Belt
£125 – 6th Dan Black Belt

Embroidered Black Belt Options

£25 – One side embroidered

Grading Fees (Including 1-Side Embroidered Belt)

£100 – 1st Dan
£110 – 2nd Dan
£120 – 3rd Dan
£130 – 4th Dan
£140 – 5th Dan
£150 – 6th Dan

Grading Fees (Including 2-Side Embroidered Belt)

£125 – 1st Dan
£135 – 2nd Dan
£145 – 3rd Dan
£155 – 4th Dan
£165 – 5th Dan
£175 – 6th Dan

Choice of plain or embroidered belt is entirely personal.

Important Notice

No spectators are permitted on the day.

Instructors and Black Belts are welcome to attend free of charge to support candidates, assist with sparring, pad holding, and defence applications—ensuring a strong mix of levels and experience.

Location

WKO HQ
Unit 7
Rowms Lane
Swinton
Rotherham
S64 8AE

Dan Grade Requirements

Minimum Time in Grade

1st Dan: Minimum 3 years training + 12 months from 1st Kyu (Brown Belt)
2nd Dan: 2 years since 1st Dan
3rd Dan: 3 years since 2nd Dan
4th Dan: 4 years since 3rd Dan
5th Dan: 5 years since 4th Dan
6th Dan: 6 years since 5th Dan

Delegate Requirements

All delegates must bring their own sparring and protective equipment.
Full protective equipment, including headguards, must be worn during sparring.
All sparring will be assessed under controlled conditions in line with the WKO syllabus.
Clean, ironed club uniform must be worn at all times.
Only appropriate martial arts attire is permitted—presentation may influence grading.
Assessment includes:
- Line work
- Pad work
- Bag work
- Defence applications
- Shadow boxing
- Sparring
Delegates who choose not to spar must perform the WKO Dan Grade Kata.
No spectators are allowed during grading.
Results (Pass/Fail) will be given at the end of the grading.
Successful candidates will receive their Black Belt and Certificate.
Unsuccessful candidates will receive constructive feedback for improvement.
Candidates who do not pass may attend the next grading free of charge to demonstrate improvement.
A valid WKO Licence is required. Licences can be purchased via the WKO Online Store when booking.
This is an international grading—delegates must be able to communicate in English.
All candidates are assessed against the official WKO Grading Syllabus to ensure consistency and standardisation.

WKO Grading Syllabus

The syllabus is available as a free download.
All Dan Grade candidates are expected to be familiar with techniques from 8th Kyu through to 1st Dan.

Additional Information

Embroidered belts can be requested during booking (additional cost applies).
All pricing options will be available when selecting your grading package.

Booking

To book onto the next WKO International Dan Grading, please click the link below.

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE