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Old 03-12-2006, 02:49 AM   #51
Aiki x
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 27
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Re: History of Black Belt?

It is noble to say belts don't matter, however, when you first start training they are a great motivation to train that little bit harder. The actual gradings are also a good learning experience. The participants learn to use their Aikido under stressfull conditions.

The coloured Kyu grade ranks also protect inexperienced Uke's. I visited a club that only used white belts for kyu grades. After receiving lots of advice on my technique from one of the white belts I assumed he was experienced. When using him as uke for a tenchi nage I threw his with full power and really shook him up. The instructor scolded me saying that he was not graded and only a beginner. I felt a little bad. If the club used a colour belt system I would have realised that he was just an "all knowing" 6th Kyu.
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