What is the Highest Belt in Taekwondo? | Simply Explained
In this page we will cover what the highest belt in Taekwondo is, how long it take to get that belt, and the order of belts in Taekwondo.
Table of Contents
- What is the Highest Belt in Taekwondo
- Order of Belts in Taekwondo
- How Long Does it Take to Get a Black Belt
- Can You Lose Your Black Belt
- Is Jackie Chan a Black Belt
What is the Highest Belt in Taekwondo
The highest belt in Taekwondo is a 10th degree (also known dan) Black Belt. Once you achieve your black belt, there are 10 different degrees which you must test for successfully in order to be promoted to the next degree.
Typically there are physical requirements including form, sparring, board break, and fitness testing.
Order of Belts in Taekwondo
Belt orders can vary according to which association that dojo belongs to.
According to the American Taekwondo Association, the belt ranks are as follows:
- White belt
- White belt decided (stripe)
- Orange belt
- Orange belt decided (stripe)
- Yellow belt
- Yellow belt decided (stripe)
- Camouflage belt
- Camouflage belt decided (stripe)
- Green belt
- Green belt decided (stripe)
- Purple belt
- Purple belt decided (stripe)
- Blue belt
- Blue belt decided (stripe)
- Brown belt
- Brown belt (stripe)
- Red belt
- Red belt decided (stripe)
- Red black
- Black belt recommended
- First degree black belt
- Second degree black belt
- Third degree black belt
- Fourth degree black belt
- Fifth degree black belt
- Sixth degree black belt
- Seventh degree black belt
- Eight degree black belt
- Ninth degree black belt
- Tenth degree black belt
How Long Does it Take to Get a Black Belt?
In Taekwondo it takes approximately 3 years to receive your first degree black belt. In order to achieve this, you will have to begin at white belt and progress through each belt, passing the different requirements of each belt.
Then once you achieve a black belt, there are length requirements for how long you have to be at a rank before being eligible to test.
For example you must be a second degree black belt for a minimum of 24 months before being able to test for third degree black belt.
Can You Lose Your Black Belt?
You cannot lose your black belt as it is a symbol of accumulated skill and the amount of time that you've put into the martial art. Unlike a UFC championship belt, it cannot be stripped from you due to out of the gym (or cage) incidents.
Is Jackie Chan a Black Belt?
Jackie Chan trained martial arts for over a decade and earned a black belt in Hapkido. He has also trained in other martial arts including Judo, karate, Wushu, Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do and Kung Fu.
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