Can a child really be a Black Belt?
Yes. At the Kang Do Won, the achievement of a Black Belt is based upon an individual’s personal growth, knowledge gained and physical skills, relative to his/her age, personal state of being and athletic potential. Two different classifications of Black Belt can be achieved at the Kang Do Won. The first is a Personal Black Belt (PBB) and the second is a Traditional Black Belt (TBB). The TBB can only be achieved at a minimum age of 18 years and is identified by a very thin gold stripe that runs through the length of the belt. The minimum age requirement for a Black Belt at the Kang Do Won is 7 years of age. Black Belts awarded to students 15 years of age and younger are called Poom (junior) and those awarded to students 16 years of age and older are called Dan (adult). Poom Black Belts are temporary and expire on the holder’s 16th birthday. In order to achieve a permanent Dan Black Belt, Pooms must take a re-certification test shortly after their 16th birthday. Failure to do so, or to p
