Black Belt Testing Results

8 STUDENTS EARN NEW RANK!

On Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9, 2023, the American Martial Arts Institute held a junior rank and adult rank black testing. The Friday night junior rank testing lasted 3 hours and had one student with four students who were not testing coming to assist as partners. The Saturday testing lasted 7 1/2 hours. A total of eight students tested before Grandmaster Crandall and a panel of Master Instructors including Headmaster Stalloch, 7th, and 6th degree black belt instructors. Grandmaster Crandall is pleased to announce that all eight individuals have passed, and he presented them with their new ranks.

Black belt is a prestigious rank, one recognized around the world. In the American Eagle Style, there are ten black belt ranks called degrees or Dan. Only the head of the school may hold the rank of 10th Dan, and this person determines its direction and certifies its instructors. For the American Martial Arts Institute, this is Grandmaster Crandall. Prior to earning 1st Degree black belt there are 8 gyups (belt ranks) that must first be earned. All students begin as white belts and test for each rank, maturing in the style through its traditional process. On average, it can take a student 5 to 8 years to earn the rank for 1st Dan (although it can be longer), with the minimum length between each rank being 6 months. Once an individual has earned 1st Dan, the length time between ranks can vary from 2-4 years for each rank being very normal. Again, it can be longer.

One student tested for junior rank black belt; three students tested for adult rank 1st degree black belt, two students tested for second dan, one student tested for third dan, and one student tested for fifth dan. All of the students had to complete a rigorous written exam testing their knowledge of our style and school. The candidates for first degree had to know and be able to perform the eight pal-gwes, chugli 1, eye of the eagle, and ki-chos 1-3. In addition the candidates for adult status had to demonstrate the form Old Koryo. The candidates for 2nd Dan had to demonstrate the katas: Heian 1, Chulgi 2, Chip Su, Geum Gang, and New Koryo. The candidate for 3rd Dan had to demonstrate the katas: Heian 2, Chulgi 3, Taebaek, Chip Jang, American Eagle, and Bassai Dai. The 5th Degree candidate had to demonstrate the katas: Heian 5, Hookiyu, Hansoo, Sil Lum and Simplicity. They also had to demonstrate a wide range of traditional extension tool katas including forms using the sword, naginata, escrima, eku, sai, cane, and others. In addition to the katas candidates had to perform self defense against grabs, punches, kicks, knife attacks, gun attacks, rifle techniques, and more. Other areas tested included seiza waza, standing waza, ippon kumites, hanza escape techniques, sparring, multiple partner sparring, basic forms, kicks, advanced techniques, takedowns, board breaks, and more.

Candidates also had to be knowledgeable about some of our school's publications including: American Eagle Style Textbook, American Eagle Style Self Defense Volume 1 DVD, Be Safe Mentally and Physically with the Crandall System, Leadership Piece by Piece, American Martial Arts Institute Guidebook, Moving Beyond Disabilities, Women's Self Defense in a Changing World, and others.

The candidates for 1st dan had to write a paper and complete other pre-requisites to qualify to be considered for testing.

In the American Eagle Style, you cannot teach unless you are a first degre black belt or higher and an adult 18 years of age or older. Therefore, once an adult has earned 1st Dan they may choose the path of teaching the style and perpetuating for others. This is done by submitting a letter to Grandmaster Crandall requesting to be accepted into our instructor training program. These individuals do not train in regular classes, and wear a black uniform top. Students wear white tops. Students may test as high as 4th Degree Black Belt. In order to test for 5th Dan or higher, the student must be an instructor.

These students will receive their certificate of rank at our next ceremonial black belt luncheon in April 2024.

Congratulations to

1st Degee Black Belt (Junior Rank Status)

Lillianna Van Etten