Karate: French federation clarifies new 1st to 3rd dan grading rules

The French Karate Federation (FFK) has set the record straight on black belt gradings from 1st to 3rd dan. On 3 November it published a note from its grading commission (CSDGE), signed by commission president Patrice Belrhiti, to correct inaccurate claims about the new rules. The federation calls it the only official reference on the subject.

Kihon adapted to your style

The key point concerns kihon, the test of linked basic techniques. The FFK covers practitioners from many styles (Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and others) whose stances differ. The note therefore lets candidates adapt some stances in the set combinations to their own style or school. In return, the federation asks grading officials and juries to show tolerance and goodwill during the first exams held under the new rules.

To show what is expected, the FFK has posted three videos presenting the kihon test for 1st, 2nd and 3rd dan. Full requirements are in the CSDGE technical regulations for the 2026-2027 season.

1st dan at your club, no advance paperwork

The 1st dan can be taken at the candidate's own club. The note strongly recommends that at least one jury member attends the training course run by the grading officer of their département. Clubs do not have to notify anyone beforehand: they only send the results, on the federal form, to the president of the departmental committee. Earlier regulations already required a jury of at least three 2nd dan holders, with candidates graded at the club where they hold their licence.

When more than fifty candidates sit the same exam, kihon may be assessed in groups of two to four at once to keep the session moving.

Karate only, for now

The changes apply to every karate style and school, and to karate alone. The federation's other disciplines, such as wushu, krav maga and the Vietnamese martial arts, keep their current rules. Any adaptation will be studied and put to the CSDGE later.

Anyone going for a black belt in France this season now has three documents to work from: the clarification note, the 2026-2027 technical regulations and the kihon videos, all freely available on the federation's website.