Irish Kenpo Karate Assoc - still recognised?

Prettyblack

I did karate as a kid (about 25 years ago) and I got to orange belt in Kenpo karate.

If I wanted to take it up again, would I still "be" an orange belt in the eyes of the IKKA, or would I have to start again as a white belt?

Doug Cartel

You'll probably have to ask them directly what their policy is.

CIARAN_BOYLE

It might not be set down by IKKA and vary from school to school

Whats orange belt in kenpo, the second belt you grade for??? So about a years worth of training that you did 25 years ago?

Do you honestly feel you remember it and feel like you should be graded? (not attacking you just asking).

Best thing for you do is to walk into the dojo and talk to the sensei asking him whether he wants you to wear a white or orange belt.

Would it actually make a difference as to whether or not you took it back up?

Prettyblack

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

It might not be set down by IKKA and vary from school to school

Whats orange belt in kenpo, the second belt you grade for??? So about a years worth of training that you did 25 years ago?

Do you honestly feel you remember it and feel like you should be graded? (not attacking you just asking).

Best thing for you do is to walk into the dojo and talk to the sensei asking him whether he wants you to wear a white or orange belt.

Would it actually make a difference as to whether or not you took it back up?

Yeah it was the second belt, first was yellow. I think 1987 or 1988 was the last year I did it! :-)

I suppose it doesn't make any difference, and no I really don't remember any of the techniques or the forms or anything, so I would probably be better off starting as a white belt! I was just curious more than anything else.

And no it wouldn't stop me from taking it back up again, if I was to do it. I could probably get the first two belts easily enough I'd say. Do they each take a whole year to do?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Prettyblack wrote: »

Yeah it was the second belt, first was yellow. I think 1987 or 1988 was the last year I did it! :-)

I suppose it doesn't make any difference, and no I really don't remember any of the techniques or the forms or anything, so I would probably be better off starting as a white belt! I was just curious more than anything else.

And no it wouldn't stop me from taking it back up again, if I was to do it. I could probably get the first two belts easily enough I'd say. Do they each take a whole year to do?

my background is shotokan karate so my answers may not be the most specific for you since some things are different.

What we do in terms of time for the grading is for kyu grades (white to third brown) usually two gradings a year. Although some people may grade once a year and others three times based on the level of work that they are putting into it.

If someone came into our dojo having done two belts worth of karate 25 years ago they would be expected to put on a white belt and train as a beginner.

Kenpo might be different but I doubt they would let you put on a belt if you didn't remember the kata (forms in kenpo) and kihon (basic techniques) required by the belt.

If you have a chat with the instructor telling him you have experience but aren't sure how much you remember or if it will come back he might (or might not) keep an eye on you with a view to double grading you at the next grading if you show competency.

All in all if you do come back you should probably come back as a white belt.

Prettyblack

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

my background is shotokan karate so my answers may not be the most specific for you since some things are different.

What we do in terms of time for the grading is for kyu grades (white to third brown) usually two gradings a year. Although some people may grade once a year and others three times based on the level of work that they are putting into it.

If someone came into our dojo having done two belts worth of karate 25 years ago they would be expected to put on a white belt and train as a beginner.

Kenpo might be different but I doubt they would let you put on a belt if you didn't remember the kata (forms in kenpo) and kihon (basic techniques) required by the belt.

If you have a chat with the instructor telling him you have experience but aren't sure how much you remember or if it will come back he might (or might not) keep an eye on you with a view to double grading you at the next grading if you show competency.

All in all if you do come back you should probably come back as a white belt.

Thanks Ciaran for your thoroughness, I'm getting more interested now as I read more. I've no problem at all donning a white belt but I would say a lot of it would come back to me as I can still remember some of the techniques (not the forms though).

Moving through the first few belts quicker would be great actually. I wouldn't be interested in competitions, just the discipline and fitness.

Pride Fighter

25 years is a long time. But if you still have your certs on you, show them to your prospective instructor. Gradings cost money, so if you were to start over from white, it'll cost money to regrade.

I did kenpo and left when I was a purple belt. When I returned I was still a purple belt and forgot all the techniques. Took me 3 months to get back up to purple belt level and another 6 months to grade for my blue belt. I'll thank my instructor for that, as he saved me money as I did not have to do 3 re-gradings.

Good luck anyway. Return training regardless, it's good craic and will keep you fit.

Prettyblack

Pride Fighter wrote: »

25 years is a long time. But if you still have your certs on you, show them to your prospective instructor. Gradings cost money, so if you were to start over from white, it'll cost money to regrade.

I did kenpo and left when I was a purple belt. When I returned I was still a purple belt and forgot all the techniques. Took me 3 months to get back up to purple belt level and another 6 months to grade for my blue belt. I'll thank my instructor for that, as he saved me money as I did not have to do 3 re-gradings.

Good luck anyway. Return training regardless, it's good craic and will keep you fit.

Where did you do it Pride Fighter?

agentcrow

Yes op you will retain your rank b/c i was in the same boat as yourself..