Karate / Togo: Assessment of 45 candidates
On August 20th, the Togolese Karate Federation (FTK) organized a black belt grading examination from 1st to 5th dan levels at its headquarters in the Lomé Omnisport Stadium. A total of 45 candidates applied for the examination: 29 for 1st dan, 4 for 2nd dan, 3 for 3rd dan, 2 for 4th dan, and 7 for 5th dan.
The conditions for each grade advancement are as follows: to move from 1st to 2nd dan, two years of dedicated practice are required; from 2nd to 3rd dan, three years are needed; from 3rd to 4th dan, four years are necessary, and from 4th to 5th dan, five years of practice are mandated.
The assessment involved combinations of techniques (kihon), imaginary fights (kata), and physical sparring (kumité).
Out of the 45 candidates, five were unable to validate their Unit of Value (UV) and will have to retry the examination next year.
On the other hand, 40 candidates successfully reached the next grade. The jury, consisting of seven high-ranking practitioners (6th, 7th, and 8th dan), was led by the National Technical Director Kyoshi Sossah Sémého, a 7th dan black belt.
The successful candidates demonstrated precision, technique, endurance, consistency in movements, and self-mastery.
Prior to this black belt grading examination, candidates underwent a technical training session on August 18th and 19th at the Tokoin Community Center.
The President of FTK, DA Ernestho Koku John, a 7th dan black belt, congratulated the successful candidates and encouraged those who didn’t pass to persevere in order to fulfill the missing UV requirements.
He also expressed gratitude to the instructors for their dedication to teaching karate.
Steven K
