4th dan at long last.

[JazzKicker]

I just received my 4th dan Hapkido certificate! This has been a really long term life goal- my last "level up" Dan promotion was 30 years ago, though I received rank in other non-Korean systems as I continued my journey. I spent a long time with non-traditional stuff like JKD, MMA, etc where belts weren't a thing. For the last year I've been training with one of my old instructors from 25 years ago, and he decided it was time I and another senior black belt moved up. I really appreciate the recognition, and I hope the next promotion doesn't take so long!

[KarateKen]

4 hours ago, JazzKicker said:

I just received my 4th dan Hapkido certificate! This has been a really long term life goal- my last "level up" Dan promotion was 30 years ago, though I received rank in other non-Korean systems as I continued my journey. I spent a long time with non-traditional stuff like JKD, MMA, etc where belts weren't a thing. For the last year I've been training with one of my old instructors from 25 years ago, and he decided it was time I and another senior black belt moved up. I really appreciate the recognition, and I hope the next promotion doesn't take so long!

Congratulations, an outstanding accomplishment. Only a small percent of martial arts students become a 4th degree.  Does that put you at master rank in the art? 

[Zaine]

Congrats! Do you get to learn new material now?

[DarthPenguin]

Congratulations! You going to try and push on now for your 5th? Fantastic achievement though

[sensei8]

Congratulations, JazzKicker on earning your 4th Dan, especially after 30 years as a 3rd Dan; milestone, for sure!!

[Patrick]

Congrats JazzKicker! Thanks for sharing this with us.

[bushido_man96]

Congratulations @JazzKicker!  That's awesome!

[JazzKicker]

Thank you all, and to answer your questions, I train at an informal little club where we're not big on titles or a strict belt-based syllabus. So I'll keep training as I do, and if our instructor or other black belts refer to  me as Master ___, when talking to the kids, I'll smile and answer. But at this stage it's mostly another stripe on the belt. We are part of an international organization, though, so there is a longer reach and long term potential for further advancement, age & health permitting!

[aurik]

Congratulations -- 4th dan is a big step!