KYU RANKS (COLORED BELTS)
Kyu 6 (White Belt): Red belt with white stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Kyu 5 (Yellow Belt): Red belt with yellow stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Kyu 4 (Orange Belt): Red belt with orange stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Kyu 3 (Green Belt): Red belt with green stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Kyu 2 (Blue Belt): Red belt with blue stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Kyu 1 (Brown Belt): Red belt with brown stripes (1-3 stripes, 3-6 months between gradings).
Note: Stripe promotion within a Kyu rank can also reflect skill and dedication.
DAN RANKS (BLACK BELTS) – Minimum age 18
1st Dan: Black belt with one gold stripe (minimum 5 years training).
2nd Dan: Black belt with two gold stripes (2+ years from last promotion).
3rd Dan: Black belt with three gold stripes (3+ years from last promotion).
4th Dan: Black belt with four gold stripes (4+ years from last promotion).
5th – 10th Dan: Black belt with corresponding gold stripes (5-10+ years between promotions) or may wear a red/white belt.
COMPETITION DISCIPLINES
- SEMI-KEMPO (Point Fighting)
Style: Controlled, point-stop sparring. Focus on speed and technique.
Targets: Body & head punches; body & circular head kicks; sweeps.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, boxing gloves (8-10oz), shin guards, headgear (mandatory with mask for juniors).
Win by: Points (1-3 per technique), opponent forfeit, or a 5-point lead. - LIGHT KEMPO (Light Continuous)
Style: Continuous fighting with controlled contact.
Targets: Body & head punches; body, circular head, and leg kicks; sweeps.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, 10oz gloves, shin guards, headgear.
Win by: Judges’ decision after two rounds. - FULL KEMPO
Style: Full-contact stand-up and ground fighting (no strikes on ground).
Targets: Punches, kicks, knees to permitted areas; takedowns, throws, ground submissions.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, boxing gloves (8-10oz), shin guards, headgear (mask for juniors).
Win by: KO, TKO, decision, submission, or three knockdowns. - RUMBLE (Kids Full-Contact)
Style: Stand-up, full-contact for youth competitors.
Targets: Body punches and circular head kicks only.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, boxing gloves (8-10oz), shin guards, protective vest, headgear with mask.
Win by: Points or decision. - KNOCKDOWN (Mix-Fight)
Style: MMA-glove fighting with strikes, throws, and ground combat (including ground strikes).
Targets: Body punches/elbows; kicks; knees; takedowns; submissions.
Gear: Black gi pants, rash guard/shorts, MMA gloves, shin guards, headgear (mask for juniors).
Win by: KO, TKO, submission, or decision. - SUBMISSION (Gi & No-Gi)
Style: Grappling-only competition focusing on takedowns and submissions.
Techniques: Throws, chokes, joint locks, pins. No strikes allowed.
Gear (Gi): Black gi and colored belt. (No-Gi): Lycra shirt and shorts.
Win by: Submission, points, or decision. - KEMPO KICK
Style: Full-contact stand-up fighting emphasizing kicks and knees.
Targets: Punches, kicks, knees to permitted areas; sweeps.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, boxing gloves (8-10oz), shin guards, headgear (mask for juniors).
Win by: KO, TKO, decision, or three knockdowns. - KEMPO KO / KEMPO CONTACT
Style: Continuous, full-contact stand-up fighting over multiple rounds.
Targets: Permitted punches and kicks to head, body, and legs.
Gear: Black gi, colored belts, 10oz gloves, shin guards, headgear.
Win by: KO, TKO, or decision. - MMA (Light, Full, Elite)
Style: Progressive MMA rulesets from limited to full techniques (strikes, throws, ground fighting).
Gear: Rash guard/shorts, specified gloves (Kempo or MMA), full protective gear.
Win by: Varies by ruleset; includes decision, KO, TKO, or submission.
TRADITIONAL & DEMONSTRATION DISCIPLINES
KATA (Forms)
• Individual & Team: Demonstration of formal, choreographed
patterns (empty-hand or with weapons).
• Focus: Technique, balance, power, speed, spirit, and combat realism.
• Judging: Based on 7 core principles including presentation, focus, and
technical execution.
SELF-DEFENSE
• Kombat (2 person) & Sport (4 person): Choreographed
demonstrations of self-defense scenarios.
• Focus: Realism, technique, teamwork, and choreography.
• Weapons: Safe, non-sharp replicas may be used.
GLADIATOR (Weapon Sparring)
• Style: Point-fighting with safe, soft replica weapons (swords, sticks,
etc.).
• Targets: Legal strikes to body, head, and limbs.
• Gear: Full protective gear including helmet with face mask.
• Win by: First to 5 points, or decision.
