The Western Karate Academy is in the business of teaching karate. We do not do "quick" promotions, and you won't see anyone under 16 with a black belt.
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.
We encourage discipline, good health, and are concerned with character development.
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
*-Retired
More about Black belts
Shokaido has ten degrees of black belt. The following are some of the requirements for each level of black belt at our academy, based on the requirements of the (click) Japan Karate Association (JKA).
Black belt 1st Dan (shodan)
Black belt 2nd Dan (nidan)
Black belt 3rd Dan - (sandan)
Black belt 4th Dan (yondan)
Black belt, 5th Dan (godan)
Black belt, 6th Dan (rokudan)
Black belt, 7th Dan (shichidan)
Black belt, 8th Dan (hachidan)
Black belt, 9th Dan (kudan)
Black belt, 10th Dan (judan)
Yellow belt (8th kyu) 30-37 classes
Orange belt (7th kyu) 60-75 classes
Red belt (6th kyu) 95-118 classes
Blue belt (5th kyu) 135-168 classes
Purple belt (4th kyu) 190-237 classes
Green belt (3rd kyu) 246-307 classes
Brown belt (2nd kyu) 314 classes (Min. 14 years old)
Black belt candidate (1st kyu)
Black belt (shodan) 400 classes (Min. 16 years old)
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