Can you belt up two belts at once? ISKF, Shotokan Karate?

Question

I am currently a yellow belt, 8 in shotokan karate. A member of the ISKF. I started training in January and feel as though I am grasping it quickly...been around it all my life (grandfather is an 8th dan blackbelt)...but didn't really take much serious interest until now.

Well, I tested for my yellow belt in March... continued training for another month. Then howevor I had to go home from college for the summer and there was no ISKF dojos near me at home so I wasn't able to officially train all summer! I did howevor self train a few times a week and my grandfather helped me a few times and even taught me the I will need for the test after next, to go from orange to green.

The issue is this. I am a yellow belt, there is a testing coming up in a couple months where I can test for my orange belt. But since I already know the katas and have been training for 10 months by then, is it possible to test up two ranks all the way to green? I can do all the katas and techniques needed to test but I will only have officially trained (in the dojo I will test) for about half of that time.

Can you test up 2 ranks at once...skip from yellow to green in one testing? If this is possible, should I ask my sensei? I don't wanna seem arrogant or too eager or anything but I really feel ready for it.

Answer 1

well i know in some schools you can if your instructor thinks you are at that level. some schools will say no you have to go through it slowly and you have to pay a certain amount and train a certain amount of time before you can grade

but if your grandfather is an 8th dan he should be an instructor so he could grade you to what every level you are. really anyone who is above 4th dan and isnt teaching or at least helping teach then they probably arent a 4th dan.

Answer 2

It may be possible, but by asking you'll be proving that your attitude is not proper for it.  

I'll give you an example from my dojo.  We had a couple who was training.  She was a shodan, he was an 8th kyu.  She went to France to study abroad and took him with her.  She had permission to continue to train him while there.  When they came back a year later, he had the knowledge and skill of at least a 6th kyu or maybe even higher.  He did not push for rank and he advanced one belt at a time like everyone else.  However, his time between tests was considerably shorter than most people.  She also got her nidan for the good work she did tutoring him thousands of miles away from the school.

Answer 3

yes you can but you have to study real hard and know your katas. g.master sandman, tkd-kenpo-kempo-judo-san -jo-gi.

Answer 4

yes it is possible to double grade i have done it a few times in various martial arts but i agree with above and believe that your instructor should know your ready and asking would show ignorance, but that doesnt mean you cant hint, see if you can get the instructor to one side before the grading and ask them if you can show them what you learnt and if they have any pointers for the grading (of orange) because your nervous. when they see all of what you know then they can make thier own mind up.

good luck

Answer 5

Stop focusing on belt color.  Just go in and learn what you can.  You'll test for higher belts when your teacher feels you should.