The Western Karate Academy is in
the business of teaching karate, and is
committed to upholding the high standards
associated with the rank of Black belt.
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We do not do "quick" promotions, and you
won't see anyone under 16 with a black belt.
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We
believe that black belts should be worn
by those who are mature, show
strength
of character and are capable of
protecting themselves and
others.
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We encourage discipline, good health, and are
concerned with character development.
Shokaido has ten degrees of black belt, based on the
requirements of the Japan Karate Association (JKA).
western karate academy
Black Belt Members
1. Tim Frazer- shodan 2001*
2. Allan Fedorak - shodan 2004*
3. Lauren Hayden- shodan 2005*
4. Laura Doan- shodan 2006*
5. Emile Scheffel- shodan 2007*
6. Richard Marken- shodan 2007*
7. Nick Gagliano- shodan 2007*
8. Allyson Hirtle- shodan 2007*
9. Brad Wood- shodan 2008*
10. Shawn Grooms- shodan 2010*
11. Rob Neutelings- shodan 2010*
12. Terrie Collins- nidan 2014*
13. Pierre Desjardins- shodan 2011*
14. Dean Wichmann- shodan 2014
15. Richard Wilbur- shodan 2015*
16. DeNara Levin- shodan 2015
17. Talon Bomac- shodan 2015*
18. Brian Vlodder- shodan 2015*
19. River Williams-More- shodan 2015*
20. Marcus Marasco- shodan 2016
21. Dorian Sibbelee- shodan 2016*
22. Natalee Rempel- nidan 2020
23. Ethan Wenger- shodan 2017*
24. Damon Marken- shodan 2017*
25. Christo Vutev- shodan 2018*
26. Dwight Burgher- shodan 2020
27. Caitlyn Neufeld- shodan 2020
*inactive
western karate academy
Black belt 1st Dan (shodan)
Has completed four hundred classes and a minimum of four years of martial arts training. Has held a Brown belt rank for at least one year and Is at least sixteen years of age
Black belt 2nd Dan (nidan)
Has held a 1st Dan for a minimum of two years.
Is at least twenty years old
Black belt 3rd Dan - (sandan)
Is at least twenty five years of age
Has held a 2nd Dan for a minimum of three years
Black belt 4th Dan (yondan)
Is at least thirty years of age
Has held a 3rd Dan for a minimum of four years.
Black belt, 5th Dan (godan)Is at least thirty years of age.
Has held a 4th Dan for a minimum of five years
Black belt, 6th Dan (rokudan)
Is at least forty years of age.
Has held a 5th Dan for a minimum of six years
Black belt, 7th Dan (shichidan)
Is at least forty five years of age.
Has held a 6th Dan for a minimum of seven years
Black belt, 8th Dan (hachidan)
Is at least fifty years of age.
Has held a 7th Dan for a minimum of eight years
Black belt, 9th Dan (kudan)
Is at least sixty years of age.
Has held a 8th Dan for a minimum of nine years
Black belt, 10th Dan (judan)
Is at least seventy years of age.
Has held a 9th Dan for a minimum of ten years
western karate academy
