There are nine black belt levels in the IWSD Association. The prerequisite for attaining the First Level Black Belt rank is a satisfactory mastery of the six major components outlined in the IWSD Association training. Advancement in rank beyond the First Level requires both improved skill in each of the six components, as well as, the indication of the ability to integrate them into free sparring. An outline of the requirements for each level are described as follows:

First Level Black Belt

1. Five (5) routines:

a. One Northern or Southern Chinese Wushu routine

b. One Internal Style Chinese Wushu routine

c. One other routine that can be from any accepted martial arts style

d. One short weapon routine from any accepted martial art style

e. One long weapon routine from any accepted martial arts style

2. Ten (10) qinna (Chin Na) techniques.

3. Ten (10) take down techniques.

4. Basic Taiji (Tai Chi) Push Hands ability including Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao.

5. Twenty (20) one step fighting techniques.

6. Proficiency in free style sparring.

7. Men must be able to do 20 one handed push ups (feet placed on a foot high bench), with each arm. Women must be able to do 30 standard two handed push ups (feet placed on a foot high bench). (This requirement may be exempted for members that are over 40 years of age or have special condition that prevents them from being able to do the push ups).

Second Level Black Belt

1. Ten (10) additional qinna techniques.

2. Ten (10) additional take down techniques.

3. Ten (10) ground fighting techniques.

4. Free Taiji Push Hands ability.

5. Internal energy (qigong) attainment, such that strikes to the arms, abdomen, chest, sides of torso, and head can be withstood without injury. Women are exempt from strikes to the chest and waist.

6. Breaking techniques with hands, feet, and head which indicate strength and power for martial application.

7. Free sparring incorporating Push Hands skills which indicates the ability to use neutralization skills against an opponent's muscular strength.

Third Level Black Belt

1. Two (2) advanced External and/or Internal Style routines.

2. Ten (10) additional take down techniques.

3. Ten (10) additional ground fighting techniques.

4. Ten (10) additional qinna techniques incorporating ten (10) effective pressure point attacks.

5. Bare-handed free sparring training against weapons

6. Combined free sparring with take down, qinna, and Push Hands skills.

*7. A qualified Second Level holder may be exempt from all the above requirements and be awarded Third Level Black Belt, if he or she has achieved recognition as a national free sparring champion.

*8. A qualified Second Level holder may be exempt from all the above requirements and be awarded Fourth Level Black Belt, if he or she has achieved recognition as an international sparring champion.

Fourth Level Black Belt — Master Level 1

1. Proficiency in more than ten (10) routines.

2. A minimum of 10 years of teaching experience in the martial arts.

3. Advanced achievement in internal energy training.

4. A university degree or equivalent life experience.

Fifth Level Black Belt — Master Level 2

1. Judging in a national and/or an international martial arts events.

2. Published pieces of work in the field of martial arts (books, magazine or journal articles, videos, audiotapes ...).

3. Further advancement achieved in internal energy training.

4. Contribution in teaching and promoting Wushu Sanshou Dao.

 

Sixth Level Black Belt — Master Level 3

1. Contribution in teaching and promoting Wushu Sanshou Dao.

2. Has positive national (country of permanent residence) recognition in the martial arts community.

Seventh Level Black Belt — Master Level 4

1. Continuous contribution in teaching and promoting Wushu Sanshou Dao.

2. Has positive international recognition in the martial arts community.

Eighth Level Black Belt — Honorary Level 1

1. Honorary Level 1 recipients must be a person of great martial arts accomplishment, recommended and approved by the IWSD Association Headquarters.

2. This individual must be at least 55 years of age and have over 30 years of martial arts experience.

Ninth Level Black Belt — Honorary Level 2

1. Honorary Level 2 recipients must be a founding member of the IWSD Association with continuous contribution in promoting Wushu Sanshou Dao or be an individual with an extraordinary contribution to Wushu Sanshou Dao.

2. This individual must be at least 60 years of age and have over 40 years of martial arts experience.

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