How Many 10th Degree Black Belts Are There In The World?

There are 10 degrees of achievement that a person practicing martial arts can be awarded with.

Out of the millions of people who practice martial arts, only a select few will be awarded the 10th degree.

It is often only given to those who founded the martial arts or someone particularly gifted within the field. 

How Many 10th Degree Black Belts Are There In The World?

So, the number of 10th degree black belts is not going to be as high as you might have first been expecting.

There is a big difference between those who hold black belts and those who hold 10th degree black belts. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Who Holds A 10th Degree Black Belt? 

Many martial art communities believe that only the founder of the particular martial art should be a 10th degree holder.

For example, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community will not allow anyone else to get the 10th degree title (which comes with their red belt), as it is reserved for the Gracie family 

The Gracie family – Carlos, Gastao, Jorge, Oswaldo, and Helio – all were awarded the 10th degree red belts in BJJ as they were the founders of what was then called Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

There were two other 10th degrees given out to non Gracie family members – Luiz Franca and Oswaldo Fadda – but then the rules changed so that the highest award red belts could get was 9th degree. 

More On The Black Belt In Martial Arts

The black belt is often regarded as the highest achievement that people can be awarded with in martial arts (Find out Who Is The Youngest Blackbelt?).

You can be awarded more than one black belt, so many people make it their mission to collect as many black belts as they can. 

However, this goal is soon forgotten about by many when they realize how many years it takes, and how much perseverance they need to put in, to get their first black belt.

This means that the martial arts often sees people stop training full time once they get their first black belt. 

A ranking in martial arts is often referred to as a Dan.

Many people feel as though the work that they’ve put in to get their first Dan is too much to go through again for the second.

However, people who do go through with this often find that getting their second Dan is easier than the first. 

Despite that, it still takes two years to get your second Dan. After you are awarded with that, it will take you another two years to get your third.

This cycle repeats until you can get all the way up to the highest ranking. 

The black belt system is different for both adults and children, with some martial arts not awarding children black belts.

This is due to the fact that children are given different testing methods than adults, making their ranking and belt system different. 

Adult Black Belts

Now let’s take a look at the rankings for adult black belts and how these can be achieved.

A poomsae is a sequence of movements that is made up by a number of different moves, all logically arranged to attack and block moves from imaginary opponents. 

Belt DegreeMinimum AgePoomsae
1st degree 16 years Koryo 
2nd degree 18 years Keumgang 
3rd degree21 years Taebaek 
4th degree25 years Pyongwon 
5th degree30 years Sipjin 
6th degreeBetween 30 and 36 years Jitae 
7th degree 36 years Chonkwon 
8th degree Between 40 and 52 years Hansoo 
9th degree 53 years Ilyeo 
10th degree Almost 60 It is the highest rank without specific Poomsae 

More About These Black Belt Rankings

More About These Black Belt Rankings

Now let’s take a quick look into each of these rankings to see what you might be dealing with, if you were to be awarded with one. 

1st Degree

The first degree black belt gives you the title of a senior student. You can now teach other martial arts practitioners with a lower ranking than you. However, you will still need the permission of your instructor to do this. 

2nd Degree

The second Dan will give you the title of Kyo San Nim. You will find it much easier to become a certified instructor at this degree, and you can train more advanced students – with the instruction of a master. 

3rd Degree

Your title is now Sam Dan and your belt is more profound than other black belts, making you appear more senior to other trainees.

You can now become a senior instructor. This level takes 21 years to complete. 

4th Degree

At the 4th Dan, you will either be referred to as Master rank or a Junior Master. You will train black belts and be able to promote other colored belts to their first Dan. Your official title will be San Bum Nim. 

5th Degree

You can now promote other black belts to higher Dans and train them to become masters. You will be at least 30 years old at this point. 

6th Degree

Teaching will become your main goal at this level, and you will be getting guidance straight from the Grandmaster themself. You can now be called a Senior Master. 

7th Degree

This Dan is similar to the 6th, with you teaching those below you. 

8th Degree

You are now considered a Grandmaster and will be required to take a physical exam to get to this Dan. You will also need a doctor’s note, and you’ll be at least 53 years old. 

9th Degree

This is considered the last level and the highest honor. You will need to have a service record and have performed as a referee for multiple years before achieving this Dan. 

10th Degree

The 10th degree is the highest level and the least common to achieve. As we have mentioned earlier, this rank is often left for those who created or developed the martial art. However, you may still be awarded it if you show immense skill. 

Summary

We hope that this article has helped you figure out who holds the 10th degree black belt! This is often reserved for founders of the martial arts, or people who show incredible talent and devotion to the art.

Christopher Anderson
Latest posts by Christopher Anderson (see all)