hi everyone i am a new to the site.i practiced for several years at a kyokushinkai club which was very traditional and you had to work very hard for your grades.if you didnt have the attendance,technique,knowledge etc etc you didnt pass.

i had a several year break from martial arts but recently found a fantastic club and an instructor who has fantastic credentials and experience.i respect him very much.i recently have been feeling a little uneasy at the grading practice.we recently held a seminar and after the instructor said that our knowledge is much greater than the visiting students.a few days later the whole club was graded to the next grade even though we hadnt been taught the syllabus for that grade??also 2 brown belts were graded to black belts even though they dont have the knowledge or technique of black belts?and dont know the black belt syllabus for the system also i have more knowledge and technique than them and please believe me i do not think much of my own technique i am not trying to big myself up.i genuinely believe the instructor is just misguided.the problem with this is i now dont put any value or worth in my belt or the black belt in the system.it was always something to aspire to and i feel this has been stripped away?i know belts arent what training is all about etc and i really enjoy the training anyway but what should i do just train anyway and ignore the grades?any advice appreciated as i really do respect the instructor and love the training

Even though you like this instructor, it sounds to me like you're questioning him across the board, which is fine, but just be very careful on how you approach him, and in that, ask him straight out any and all of your concerns and questions with him because only he knows the answer to your questions.

It sounds to me like his credentials are inflated by things like this--there are probably political motivations involved. You could certainly approach him with your concerns but I suspect that will not do you much good beyond earning his scorn since he probably thinks you would be honored to be graded higher. You could go to his organization but if politics are involved that may not help, either.

The Kyokushin folks I have worked with have all been very down-to-earth and more concerned with their art than with their rank, so this seems a bit out of place to me.

It sounds to me like his credentials are inflated by things like this--there are probably political motivations involved. You could certainly approach him with your concerns but I suspect that will not do you much good beyond earning his scorn since he probably thinks you would be honored to be graded higher. You could go to his organization but if politics are involved that may not help, either.

The Kyokushin folks I have worked with have all been very down-to-earth and more concerned with their art than with their rank, so this seems a bit out of place to me.

Solid post...you hit the nail right on the head!!

just want to point out this isnt a kyokushiunkai club!also thanks for the replies and advice.i have had a good think and right or wrong i am just going to concentrate on my own standard and enjoy the training.if i am offered a belt i really feel i have not earned or am not competent enough to have i am going to politely refuse and say i dont feel ready for it.