Mar 21, 2019

How Many Years Does It Take To Master Taekwondo?

As with all endeavours, becoming great is never an overnight process. This is true with all sports, martial arts included. It takes lots of practice, sports camp, training sessions, and experience joining competitions to become great. The process can take years, even decades, for some.

Of course, one’s definition of greatness can vary from that of the other. But what does it take to master Taekwondo?

To master Taekwondo, the practitioner must reach the Black belt rank. However, achieving the Black belt rank takes heaps of training and hard work. Of course, the practitioner must achieve the lighter belt colours first before he or she can try for the Black belt rank.

It will take around four years to achieve the Black belt rank if the student undergoes regular and continuous training. 

Why are there Different Taekwondo Belts?

Taekwondo students who aspire to go up the Taekwondo belt ranks need to know all the belt levels that he has to go through first. Note that Taekwondo has no single universal belt system. The belt levels depend on the organisation with which the taekwondo school is affiliated.

Currently, there are three Taekwondo organisations in the world: ITF, WTF, and ATA.

The belt levels are classified into three groups. These are:

  • Gup Rank/Kup Rank/Geup Rank – This group includes the most junior ranks in Taekwondo. There are nine ranks under this classification.
  • Poom Rank- Also known as Junior Black Belt, this is the interim rank before a practitioner moves up from the junior ranks to the adult ranks. This is awarded to students who have achieved Black Belt rank but are still below 15 years old.
  • Dan Rank – Known as the Full Black Belt, there are also nine levels under this classification.

The ITF Belt Levels

ITF stands for the International Taekwon-Do Federation. It was founded on 22 March 1966, by the Father of Taekwondo, General Choi Hong Hi. It has affiliated associations in more than 120 countries. Its headquarters is currently based in Spain. It supports its member organisations by providing certifications, seminars, courses, and competitions.

Here are the belt levels or geups as recognised by the ITF.

  • White Belt/ 10th Geup
  • Yellow Stripe/ 9th Geup
  • Yellow Belt/ 8th Geup
  • Green Stripe/ 7th Geup
  • Green Belt/ 6th Geup
  • Blue Stripe/ 5th Geup
  • Blue Belt/ 4th Geup
  • Red Stripe/ 3rd Geup
  • Red Belt/ 2nd Geup
  • Black Stripe/ 1st Geup
  • Black Belt

The World Taekwondo Belt Levels

World Taekwondo is considered the international federation of the sport. Of the three bodies – ITF, WTF, and ATA – World Taekwondo has the greatest number of member schools and organisations around the world. It was established on 28 May 1973, and has its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Here are the belt levels under the World Taekwondo organisation, the Olympics’ system for belt ranking.

  • White Belt
  • Yellow Belt
  • Orange Belt
  • Green Belt 
  • Purple Belt
  • Blue Senior Belt 
  • Brown Belt
  • Brown Senior Belt 
  • Red Belt
  • Black Belt 

The ATA Martial Arts Belt Levels

The American Taekwondo Association, now known as ATA Martial Arts, was established by Master Haeng Ung Lee in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska. Its headquarters is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and it is the largest martial arts organisation in the US.

Master Lee created his own style of Taekwondo, Songahm Taekwondo, and copyrighted it in 1983. The ATA’s Songahm curriculum focuses on the development, not just that of the body, but also the mind.

Here are the belt levels used by schools under the ATA Martial Arts:

  • White Belt
  • Orange Belt
  • Yellow Belt
  • Camouflage Belt
  • Green Belt
  • Purple Belt
  • Blue Belt
  • Brown Belt
  • Red Belt
  • Black Belt

What Happens After Black Belt?

The journey to becoming a Taekwondo Master does not end with achieving the Black Belt rank. Once a practitioner has achieved the First Dan Black Belt, there are eight more levels that one should reach to become a Taekwondo Grand Master.

Here are the different degrees of a Black Belt. The requirements for each may differ per school, depending on the association it is affiliated with.

  • 1st Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can be tested for this level one year after receiving the Poom Black Belt or the final-coloured belt.
  • 2nd Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can be tested for the second level after 3 to 4 years of training. The practitioner can become an assistant instructor after two years of achieving this level. 
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt – The test for this level is given after 4 to 5 years of training.  The practitioner can become an international instructor three years after reaching this rank.
  • 4th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners can apply for this rank after 5 or 6 years of practice and training.
  • 5th Dan Black Belt - Practitioners can apply for this rank after 6 to 7 years of practice and training.
  • 6th Dan Black Belt - Practitioners can apply for this rank after 7 to 8 years of practice and training.
  • 7th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners in this level achieve the title Master.
  • 8th Dan Black Belt – To go to the next level, the practitioner must be a Master for eight years.
  • 9th Dan Black Belt – Practitioners who achieve the highest level are called Grand Masters.

How Practitioners Move Up

Schools use promotion tests for Taekwondo practitioners to promote them to the next level belt. The promotion tests are different for each school, but generally, students are tested for the following.

  • Poomsae – This refers to the forms or patterns that the student must master for each rank. A poomsae is composed of standard kicks and blocking techniques that the student should perfectly execute during promotion day.
  • Sparring – Some schools also evaluate the student’s abilities through sparring.
  • Physical Condition – To go to the next level, students must achieve a certain level of strength and stamina.
  • Flexibility – Many Taekwondo techniques require higher degrees of flexibility, so some schools also test this in their students.

Looking for a Reputable Taekwondo School? Enrol at Team Carlo Now.

Team Carlo aims to support and help children develop discipline, habits, and physical stamina to be the best version of themselves through Taekwondo. Our age-based kids’ programs cater to children as young as four years old. We also have adult programs for those who want to learn the sport. 

Check out our locations page to see our branch nearest you. You may also contact us, and let’s talk about how we can bring out the Taekwondo Master in you.


By duda 06 May, 2021
What has been your experience training in gym environments and fitness cultures? Have you ever felt like just a number? Do you have a trainer that you trust? Do you feel confident or self-conscious? Maybe you feel bored, desperately wanting something different? Taekwondo inspired training at Team Carlo Fitness is the answer. At Team Carlo Taekwondo we focus on building physical capacity which breeds that core value of inner confidence as well as supporting mental, emotional and social life skill development. In the same way, taekwondo inspired fitness training at its core, is about building strength, power, capability and confidence. We take a holistic approach to our members health and well-being. We have so much to share with you. We know it takes courage to try something new and in line with our Team Carlo values, our coaches and staff foster a culture of support, encouragement and intuitive understanding. What are some of benefits you might experience at Team Carlo Fitness? A sense of PRIDE for trying something new and out of your comfort zone. Surprising yourself with how CAPABLE and unstoppable you are. Finish training feeling EMPOWERED knowing you have limitless potential. Feeling COMFORTABLE in your own skin, just as you are, right now. Taekwondo changes lives. That's why you signed your children up to Team Carlo isn’t it? Well, now it’s your turn. Do you want to know the best thing? We have witnessed first-hand that your Team Carlo kids will become your proudest cheer squad. Take a leap of faith and book a Team Carlo Fitness trial, you won’t regret it.
By duda 28 Sep, 2020
#TeamCarlo want to share some health and well-being products with you that they're passionate about... It's only natural to start with the most important aspect of our health - #hydration. Optimal hydration is the corner stone of a strong immune system, and therefore your overall wellbeing. It is a fairly common sight in our hospitals to see patients hooked up to an Intravenous (IV) fluids device e.g. saline. Normal saline contains sodium and chloride, so it replaces lost fluid and prevents or corrects some types of electrolyte (#alkaline mineral) imbalances. These same alkaline minerals are present in #zazenAlkalineWater. We are talking about cellular hydration where your body’s cells are truly balanced with the correct ratio of alkaline minerals. Therefore, the quality and quantity of the water you drink to hydrate is a huge factor in improving your immune system’s ability to handle stress, prevent illness and recover from disease. 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Make sure you are making the most of your investment in your zazen Alkaline Water System and follow the government guidelines of drinking plenty of liquids/water - we suggest at least 12 glasses a day for adults and 8 glasses per day for children. Additionally, our in house Natural Health Practitioners, Fiona and Caroline advise there are several nutrients you can consider to further strengthen your immune system. 2. Vitamins Zinc is a key mineral for immune support, found naturally in good levels in nuts, seeds, oysters, beef, lamb and green leafy vegetables. You can also choose to supplement with a 30-50mg daily dose especially during the winter months. Vitamin C is another key player for immune protection and support. Small regular doses through the day will optimise levels 500mg 2-4 times daily. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit and vegetables; especially berries, kiwifruit, capsicum, citrus fruits including a squeeze of lemon juice in your first drink of water each morning. 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The fear cycle is now in full swing with panic buying at the supermarkets, the stockmarket causing financial woes, etc. Be careful what you continue to read and focus on - choose more positive thoughts, TV shows or in-home movies. "It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others." His Holiness, the Dalai Lama XIV The Importance of Hydration when Unwell Viruses, such as seasonal flu and now the COVID-19 coronavirus can cause you to become dehydrated. Hydration is always important but it is essential when trying to fight a viral flu or even the common cold. 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By duda 11 Aug, 2020
1. Meeting our students' #1 need One of the greatest #benefits we can provide to our Team Carlo community through #virtualclasses is #connection . Connection is a basic human need and we can bridge the gap for our students as most of their connections have been taken away. 2. Technical development expectations exceeded Students are currently demonstrating strong #discipline and have the unique opportunity to solely #focus on their #instructor during a #virtualclass . This means that their face to face training #workethic will be taken to another level! 3. #Lifeskills to not only survive, but to #thrive Our #virtualsyllabus continues to be steeped in foundational life skills with our students exploring themes like #confidence , #determination , #persistence and #courage . There’s never been a time where they have needed this messaging more. 4. Train anywhere, anytime with anything Our instructors guide and challenge our students to think creatively about what they have on hand to complete their class. They're learning to create #fun #fitnessopportunities that #stimulate and entertain that they're also connecting to a #homepractice going forward. 5. The consideration of more #screentime We know that screen time beyond our students’ school day is tricky to navigate in #isolation . 30- 45 minutes, once a week of #connection , #movement , #learning and #growth we think, is a tick in the right box! Our team continue to demonstrate their passion for the life skill of taekwondo by delivering a #diverse and #creative syllabus virtually. We have seen first hand the #positiveimpact and #support it can provide during this time and we invite to #bookaclass and see for yourself…
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