HAITO KARATE has been running for three years. In that time, we’ve built a strong foundation, developed committed students, and created a Dojo culture rooted in respect, discipline, and clear purpose. Yet, one thing we haven’t produced is a homegrown black belt—and we won’t for several more years.
Meanwhile, other clubs around us award black belts every few months. Some even hand them out after 5–7 years of training. On the surface, that may seem impressive. Look closer, however, and you’ll often find these belts tied around the waist of a 9-year-old child.
HAITO is Kyokushin Karate
Compare that with someone who says, “Oh, I do a karate-kickboxing-taekwondo-mma mix.” They may know many names, but often can’t perform with depth in any of them. In Kyokushin, depth, clarity, and fighting ability come first.
HAITO is a Kyokushin Karate dojo. That means:
- We follow one of the toughest and most respected martial arts systems in the world.
- We uphold clear worldwide standards recognised in every serious Kyokushin dojo.
- Our students know exactly what they are training: kihon (fundamentals), kata (forms), kumite (fighting), plus self-defence when not preparing for tournaments.
Ask anyone familiar with martial arts, and the name Kyokushin carries weight. People know what it means. Our low kicks alone make people think twice before testing us.
Why Some Clubs Don’t Measure Up
By contrast, some schools hand out black belts early, or even create “junior black belts”. Don’t be surprised—these exist primarily as business tools. Every belt grading is paid for, and multiplying belts creates more opportunities to charge parents.
We are not saying gradings should be free; they have costs, and a fair fee is reasonable. But when belts are awarded for financial gain rather than skill, maturity, and spirit, the value of the martial art is lost. A black belt should represent martial ability, not purchasing power.
The True Meaning of a Black Belt in Kyokushin
In Kyokushin, a black belt isn’t earned in a few years. It is forged through almost a decade of sweat, bruises, and hard lessons. I would say it is worth twenty belts from systems where progression is easy. Many people in those systems think they train hard for years—but let them face a single combination from a real Kyokushin fighter, and all that “confidence” their black belt gave them would evaporate in an instant. Deep down, they know it, which is why they rarely—or never—step into a serious Kyokushin dojo, as a full-contact punch is a complete game-changer for the tag-game practitioners.
In a serious Kyokushin dojo, nobody earns a black belt before the age of 16—and more often, not until 18 or later. Why? Because only then can a student truly understand what it means, what responsibility it carries, and because the body is mature enough to handle real training and fighting.
While it’s cute and lovely to see 3 or 4-year-olds in a karate uniform, what they do is not karate. At that age, training focuses on movement, balance, coordination, and fun—and that’s excellent for later development. But it shouldn’t count as “karate years” toward a black belt, because true training begins when both mind and body are ready.
Why HAITO Doesn’t Have Black Belts Yet
Because we refuse to hand them out cheaply. In Kyokushin, progression is slow, demanding, and honest. Our students will earn their ranks step by step, through sweat, bruises, and personal growth.
When HAITO eventually produces its first Kyokushin black belt, it will be the result of years of real commitment. And it will be recognised and respected worldwide—not just within our four walls. We could lower our standards and produce black belts quickly, but that would betray the very meaning of Kyokushin. Every belt at HAITO is earned through real effort, discipline, and growth. When our first black belt finally emerges, it will not be a child. It will belong to someone who has walked through ice and fire, endured real challenges in the Dojo, tournaments and outside world, and proven themselves to the high standards of Kyokushin Karate and have that undying fighter’s spirit in them.
Our Path Forward
Until then, we keep training. We keep fighting. We keep building strength, spirit, and respect. Because at HAITO, a black belt isn’t something you get. It’s something you become.
And that is worth waiting for.