~Highest Dan~

[Mr. Mike]

in our association, you can get to 9th; 10th being reserved for Mr. Parker.

[frightmaster]

I was informed and I researched that 9th degree is the highest you can achieve. I found that only recently 7 - 9 degree is acheivable to none Korean people. PArt of achieving the 7th Dan is you need to be fluent (sp) in the Korean language. I am not even fluent in the English anguage. I hope this changes as my daughter is really into the art and loves the idea of breaking that limit.

[Aodhan]

I was informed and I researched that 9th degree is the highest you can achieve. I found that only recently 7 - 9 degree is acheivable to none Korean people. PArt of achieving the 7th Dan is you need to be fluent (sp) in the Korean language. I am not even fluent in the English anguage. I hope this changes as my daughter is really into the art and loves the idea of breaking that limit.

It depends on what system you are training in. In the ATA, there is one 9th degree, and that is the current Grandmaster (Head of the art.) Under that are the 8th degrees. When Eternal GM Lee (Founder of the ATA) passed away, the Masters council elected the new Grandmaster and administered the testing a year after the selection. There was a lot of different requirements and preparation over that year. Also, we have 8th degrees that are American born.

Aodhan

[UpTheIrons]

In Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do, the highest Dan possible is 9th Dan. The reason is that at the founding of the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association (which is where the Kukkiwon/WTF came from), there were 9 recognized schools of Tae Kwon Do. It's also why there are 9 gup-level forms and 9 Dan-level forms.

Testing for 9th Dan is like any other testing (kind of): you are recommended by your Instructor and test before Kukkiwon-certified 9th Dans. You must test in Korea at the Kukkiwon. Unlike a regular testing, you may or may not actually demonstrate technique. Oftentimes, it is based on your credibility and the judges question you about your ideas on Tae Kwon Do. It can last quite a while.

[ninjanurse]

This is true. My Master Instructor recently tested for his 8th dan in Korea at the Kukkiwon.

[EternalRage]

In Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do, the highest Dan possible is 9th Dan. The reason is that at the founding of the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association (which is where the Kukkiwon/WTF came from), there were 9 recognized schools of Tae Kwon Do.

I thought there were 15 kwans, 5 major ones before 1950. I suppose maybe there were 9 by 1955 when "TaeKwonDo" was proposed by the council of kwan leaders/Choi Hong Hi (whichever history you buy into)??

It's also why there are 9 gup-level forms and 9 Dan-level forms.

I thought there were only 8 TaeGeuks. Even when they were still doing the PalGwe forms there were only 8 of those. Both sets of forms are in 8 to represent the 8 triagrams of the Iching.

Testing for 9th Dan is like any other testing (kind of): you are recommended by your Instructor and test before Kukkiwon-certified 9th Dans. You must test in Korea at the Kukkiwon. Unlike a regular testing, you may or may not actually demonstrate technique. Oftentimes, it is based on your credibility and the judges question you about your ideas on Tae Kwon Do. It can last quite a while.

I was told by my WTF instructor (when I was still with the WTF) that all degrees above 4th were honorary (meaning you don't have to test). They sent my WTF master a 5th degree certificate from the Kukkiwon in the mail...

Edit: I guess its not honorary then.

[Belasko]

Chung Do Kwan Alliance goes up to 9th dan. I've heard ATA go to 10th but I'm not entirely certain on that.

[Aodhan]

Chung Do Kwan Alliance goes up to 9th dan. I've heard ATA go to 10th but I'm not entirely certain on that.

Nope. As I stated above, our highest ranking is 9th, and that is reserved for the Grandmaster.

Aodhan

[UpTheIrons]

In Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do, the highest Dan possible is 9th Dan. The reason is that at the founding of the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association (which is where the Kukkiwon/WTF came from), there were 9 recognized schools of Tae Kwon Do.

I thought there were 15 kwans, 5 major ones before 1950. I suppose maybe there were 9 by 1955 when "TaeKwonDo" was proposed by the council of kwan leaders/Choi Hong Hi (whichever history you buy into)??

1. There were 9 recognized Kwans at the founding of the KTA in the early 60's. Don't ask me to name them, because I can't off the top of my head.

It's also why there are 9 gup-level forms and 9 Dan-level forms.

I thought there were only 8 TaeGeuks. Even when they were still doing the PalGwe forms there were only 8 of those. Both sets of forms are in 8 to represent the 8 triagrams of the Iching.

2. There are 8 Palgue and Taegeuk forms, and the white belt form. So 9 total.

Testing for 9th Dan is like any other testing (kind of): you are recommended by your Instructor and test before Kukkiwon-certified 9th Dans. You must test in Korea at the Kukkiwon. Unlike a regular testing, you may or may not actually demonstrate technique. Oftentimes, it is based on your credibility and the judges question you about your ideas on Tae Kwon Do. It can last quite a while.

I was told by my WTF instructor (when I was still with the WTF) that all degrees above 4th were honorary (meaning you don't have to test). They sent my WTF master a 5th degree certificate from the Kukkiwon in the mail...

Tests above 4th Dan are not honorary. They are based less on your physical technique and more on your contributions to National and International Tae Kwon Do. The higher ranking you are, the more worlwide your recognition. Always makes me laugh to see these so-called Grandmasters who are unknown outside their organization or small group of friends.

Edit: I guess its not honorary then.

[EternalRage]

What's that white belt form called? (out of curiosity)