Sangamon Martial Academy

description of the school

Students attend classes and accumulate hours of practice towards eligibility for tests. Ranks are determined through a nationally standardized set of examinations, which are held periodically. There are five ranks called kyu, followed by black-belt grades, called dan (shodan--"beginning" dan, 2nd dan, 3rd dan...). A black-belt indicates not an expert but a senior student. On average, students practicing at least three hours a week, and applying themselves seriously, take about five years to achieve the rank of shodan.