As with all endeavours, becoming great is never an overnight process. This is true with all sports, martial arts included. It takes lots of practice, sports camp, training sessions, and experience joining competitions to become great. The process can take years, even decades, for some.
Of course, one’s definition of greatness can vary from that of the other. But what does it take to master Taekwondo?
To master Taekwondo, the practitioner must reach the Black belt rank. However, achieving the Black belt rank takes heaps of training and hard work. Of course, the practitioner must achieve the lighter belt colours first before he or she can try for the Black belt rank.
It will take around four years to achieve the Black belt rank if the student undergoes regular and continuous training.
Why are there Different Taekwondo Belts?
Taekwondo students who aspire to go up the Taekwondo belt ranks need to know all the belt levels that he has to go through first. Note that Taekwondo has no single universal belt system. The belt levels depend on the organisation with which the taekwondo school is affiliated.
Currently, there are three Taekwondo organisations in the world: ITF, WTF, and ATA.
The belt levels are classified into three groups. These are:
- Gup Rank/Kup Rank/Geup Rank – This group includes the most junior ranks in Taekwondo. There are nine ranks under this classification.
- Poom Rank- Also known as Junior Black Belt, this is the interim rank before a practitioner moves up from the junior ranks to the adult ranks. This is awarded to students who have achieved Black Belt rank but are still below 15 years old.
- Dan Rank – Known as the Full Black Belt, there are also nine levels under this classification.
The ITF Belt Levels
ITF stands for the International Taekwon-Do Federation. It was founded on 22 March 1966, by the Father of Taekwondo, General Choi Hong Hi. It has affiliated associations in more than 120 countries. Its headquarters is currently based in Spain. It supports its member organisations by providing certifications, seminars, courses, and competitions.
Here are the belt levels or geups as recognised by the ITF.
- White Belt/ 10th Geup
- Yellow Stripe/ 9th Geup
- Yellow Belt/ 8th Geup
- Green Stripe/ 7th Geup
- Green Belt/ 6th Geup
- Blue Stripe/ 5th Geup
- Blue Belt/ 4th Geup
- Red Stripe/ 3rd Geup
- Red Belt/ 2nd Geup
- Black Stripe/ 1st Geup
- Black Belt
The World Taekwondo Belt Levels
World Taekwondo is considered the international federation of the sport. Of the three bodies – ITF, WTF, and ATA – World Taekwondo has the greatest number of member schools and organisations around the world. It was established on 28 May 1973, and has its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
Here are the belt levels under the World Taekwondo organisation, the Olympics’ system for belt ranking.
- White Belt
- Yellow Belt
- Orange Belt
- Green Belt
- Purple Belt
- Blue Senior Belt
- Brown Belt
- Brown Senior Belt
- Red Belt
- Black Belt
The ATA Martial Arts Belt Levels
The American Taekwondo Association, now known as ATA Martial Arts, was established by Master Haeng Ung Lee in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska. Its headquarters is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and it is the largest martial arts organisation in the US.
Master Lee created his own style of Taekwondo, Songahm Taekwondo, and copyrighted it in 1983. The ATA’s Songahm curriculum focuses on the development, not just that of the body, but also the mind.
Here are the belt levels used by schools under the ATA Martial Arts:
- White Belt
- Orange Belt
- Yellow Belt
- Camouflage Belt
- Green Belt
- Purple Belt
- Blue Belt
- Brown Belt
- Red Belt
- Black Belt
What Happens After Black Belt?
The journey to becoming a Taekwondo Master does not end with achieving the Black Belt rank. Once a practitioner has achieved the First Dan Black Belt, there are eight more levels that one should reach to become a Taekwondo Grand Master.
Here are the different degrees of a Black Belt. The requirements for each may differ per school, depending on the association it is affiliated with.
- 1st Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can be tested for this level one year after receiving the Poom Black Belt or the final-coloured belt.
- 2nd Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can be tested for the second level after 3 to 4 years of training. The practitioner can become an assistant instructor after two years of achieving this level.
- 3rd Dan Black Belt – The test for this level is given after 4 to 5 years of training. The practitioner can become an international instructor three years after reaching this rank.
- 4th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can apply for this rank after 5 or 6 years of practice and training.
- 5th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can apply for this rank after 6 to 7 years of practice and training.
- 6th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can apply for this rank after 7 to 8 years of practice and training.
- 7th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners in this level achieve the title Master.
- 8th Dan Black Belt – To go to the next level, the practitioner must be a Master for eight years.
- 9th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners who achieve the highest level are called Grand Masters.
How Practitioners Move Up
Schools use promotion tests for Taekwondo practitioners to promote them to the next level belt. The promotion tests are different for each school, but generally, students are tested for the following.
- Poomsae – This refers to the forms or patterns that the student must master for each rank. A poomsae is composed of standard kicks and blocking techniques that the student should perfectly execute during promotion day.
- Sparring – Some schools also evaluate the student’s abilities through sparring.
- Physical Condition – To go to the next level, students must achieve a certain level of strength and stamina.
- Flexibility – Many Taekwondo techniques require higher degrees of flexibility, so some schools also test this in their students.
Looking for a Reputable Taekwondo School? Enrol at Team Carlo Now.
Team Carlo aims to support and help children develop discipline, habits, and physical stamina to be the best version of themselves through Taekwondo. Our age-based kids’ programs cater to children as young as four years old. We also have adult programs for those who want to learn the sport.
Check out our locations page to see our branch nearest you. You may also contact us, and let’s talk about how we can bring out the Taekwondo Master in you.
