How long till you got Black Belt

[Balrog]

From one aspect, it took me 24 years. From another, it took me 32 months. From another, it took me 24 months.

I started TKD training in 1966 (Jhoon Rhee's organization) and was getting ready to test for 1st Degree and never did. I joined ATA in August 1987 and made 1st Degree in June 1990. However, there was an 8 month gap in there right after I was diagosed with arthritis while the meds were kicking in enough to enable me to resume training.

[Aodhan]

1 more year to get my second degree, and I am in the middle of my 2 year stretch to get to 3rd.Aodhan

Ha? One more year to get your second degree and your are currently working towards your third. What kind of operation are you working out at? So are you at the start of your fourth as well?

Heh. No, 1 more year AFTER I had earned my first degree to get my second. It's then 2 years after THAT to get to third degree (At a minimum). Then 3 years minimum to 4th, and then 4 years more to fifth plus other obligations.

I tested for 2nd degree decided in September of 2004, and I should test for third in September 2006.

Aodhan

[Budderfly]

It took me about 5 years to get my first dan and I didn't skip or fail any tests. Itw as a long journey, but definately worthwhile.

[b3n]

1 more year to get my second degree, and I am in the middle of my 2 year stretch to get to 3rd.Aodhan

Ha? One more year to get your second degree and your are currently working towards your third. What kind of operation are you working out at? So are you at the start of your fourth as well?

Heh. No, 1 more year AFTER I had earned my first degree to get my second. It's then 2 years after THAT to get to third degree (At a minimum). Then 3 years minimum to 4th, and then 4 years more to fifth plus other obligations.

I tested for 2nd degree decided in September of 2004, and I should test for third in September 2006.

Aodhan

So from the time you earn your black belt, it only takes 3 years until your a 3rd dan??? Doesnt seem quite right.

You mentioned if you started from scratch it would have taken you 29 months, thats 2.5 years.

So just say I started young, say 8 years old. By the time i'm 11 i'd be shodan, 12y/o - 2nd dan, 14 - 3rd dan, 17 - 4th dan, then by the age of 21 I could be testing for 5th dan?? Hmm...

[DragonMike]

It took me seven years to reach 1st Dan.

[Dont call me Sir]

Here in the UK the general consencus is:

Min 3 years - 1st Dan

Min 2 years - 2nd Dan

Min 3 years - 3rd Dan

Min 3 years - 4th Dan onwards.

DCMS.

[Aodhan]

So from the time you earn your black belt, it only takes 3 years until your a 3rd dan??? Doesnt seem quite right.

You mentioned if you started from scratch it would have taken you 29 months, thats 2.5 years.

So just say I started young, say 8 years old. By the time i'm 11 i'd be shodan, 12y/o - 2nd dan, 14 - 3rd dan, 17 - 4th dan, then by the age of 21 I could be testing for 5th dan?? Hmm...

No, we have age limits, although they just changed and not sure what they are currently.

Aodhan

[shogeri]

3 years

[Aodhan]

1 more year to get my second degree, and I am in the middle of my 2 year stretch to get to 3rd.Aodhan

Ha? One more year to get your second degree and your are currently working towards your third. What kind of operation are you working out at? So are you at the start of your fourth as well?

Heh. No, 1 more year AFTER I had earned my first degree to get my second. It's then 2 years after THAT to get to third degree (At a minimum). Then 3 years minimum to 4th, and then 4 years more to fifth plus other obligations.

I tested for 2nd degree decided in September of 2004, and I should test for third in September 2006.

Aodhan

So from the time you earn your black belt, it only takes 3 years until your a 3rd dan??? Doesnt seem quite right.

You mentioned if you started from scratch it would have taken you 29 months, thats 2.5 years.

So just say I started young, say 8 years old. By the time i'm 11 i'd be shodan, 12y/o - 2nd dan, 14 - 3rd dan, 17 - 4th dan, then by the age of 21 I could be testing for 5th dan?? Hmm...

If you started at age 8, you would not be eligible for 5th dan until you are 23. (At a minimum). Minimum age for 4th degree in our system is 18 (Some agree with this, some don't. I mostly don't agree with it, but there are exceptions).

However, in our system, once you get to 4th, you have to earn enough points per year to be eligible, and a lot of it counts on how active you are in the region and nationally, if you own a school, etc. Things that the average 18 y/o probably won't have the time to do. So, the system itself will limit the number eligible to test, and then you have to test at Worlds in front of the Masters council as well, which is also a limiting factor.

Aodhan

[Balrog]

No, we have age limits, although they just changed and not sure what they are currently.

Aodhan

ATA's age limit for 4th Degree was lowered to 18 and the age limit for 3rd Degree was eliminated. IMNSHO, this was not a good thing.