Junior Black Belts

[Gene DeMambro]

Hi folks,

There was a discussion today at the judges meeting regarding the age requirement for junior black belts, and whether there was one or not. Here is the applicable section, right from this website's Federation page. Click it and read it yourself, if you'd like.

Chapter 2:
Junior Ratings:

2.1. Background:

IUKF encourages teachers to provide an interesting and informative curriculum for their junior members. IUKF does not make any distinctions between its juniors and seniors. Teachers provide the very finest instruction, regardless of age. A detailed, time proven curriculum is provided to the IUKF dojo for students under the age of 16. IUKF require that adult ratings are not awarded to anyone under the age of 16. Therefore, our junior members wear different colored belts until their 11th birthday, when they qualify for a Junior Black Belt (emphasis added). When a student turns 16, the student may be tested for an adult rank.

2.2. Junior Belts and Stripes Promotions:
2.2.1. White Belt: With one, two and three yellow stripes.
2.2.2. Yellow Belt: With one, two and three orange stripes.
2.2.3. Orange Belt: With one, two and three blue stripes.
2.2.4. Blue Belt: With one, two and three red stripes
2.2.5. Red Belt: The plain red belt is the highest Junior rating for students under the age of 11. (emphasis added)
2.2.6. Junior Black Belt:.

Juniors between the ages of 11 and 16 qualify for the rank of Junior Black Belt. This belt has a white stripe running the length of the belt to distinguish it from the adult black belt.

It is clear that students under the age of 11 may not test for junior black belt. The minimum age is 11 y.o.

Does anyone think otherwise?

Now here's the question:

Little Johnny, a precocious 9 y.o. IUKF JBB wants to compete in the Boy's 13 and Under fighting division. May the center ref disallow him from fighting, for his rank is in violation of the established ranking charter? Is it safe for him fight, when all his opponents will be at least 11 y.o?

Does this ruling extend to the under 11 y.o. JBB of other organizations who also compete?

May the judge disallow the underage fighter, purely on a safety basis?

Gene

[JaySal]

Hi Gene:

Happy Holidays…

The question regarding Junior Black belts – age.

The reference you point out is correct, as far as relating to the
IUKF rank and file dojo – guidelines.. Please note that the
IUKF Tournament Sanctioning wing is independent from the
Other sections relating to IUKF membership…

The tournaments are open to every Uechi dojo. Not all dojo’s
Follow the same rules and regulations relating to rank. Their may
Be a minimum age of let say, 11 in one Uechi groups rules for a
Youth Getting awarded his / her junior black belt… However,, in
another group, That age may be 8 or 9,,, We do not try to impose
the IUKF rank and file Rules and regulations onto any other dojo’s,
or groups …

I had many questions asked of me yesterday by many different folks.
One thing I saw was,,, I need to make all officials understand where the
break point is, as far as relating to the IUKF rank and file rules for members,,, and the IUKF tournament rules and regulations…

They are totally separate entities…. One has nothing to due with the other.

The main answer to your question is: Can a referee disallow a young junior black belt Say the age of 8 years old, from fighting an older and bigger junior black belt say 13 years Old. Just because the referee does not think it is safe for the 8 year old . At this point in time The answer is,,,, No…. The referee can not stop the younger junior black belt from fighting The older and bigger junior Black belt. However,,, no one will ever force one competitor To fight in the tournament if they do not want too… This is an area will on the IUKF sanction committee will take a close look at right away.

Perhaps in the future the junior black belt divisions may be broken down more.. At this time They are not. The division states – Boys or Girls - Junior Black belts 13 & under ..

In Summary: The reference you pointed to, only holds for the IUKF rank and file dojo’s,, No one else… The tournaments are open to all Uechi dojo’s,, and many follow a different set of guidelines..

Take care…