Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) is the third black belt rank in Kenpo Karate and all Japanese martial arts. The rank is always awarded as Sandan by a Kenpo karate Yudansha, while those Kenpo Karate instructors who were never awarded a rank by a Yudansha give only a third degree black belt rank.
There are 514 techniques and variations of the techniques required for a Tracy's Kenpo karate Sandan, Third Degree Black Belt.
Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) consists of 30 Self Defense Techniques and 5 Variations.
The Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) test will consist of all techniques Yellow
thru 2nd Black Belt done on the opposite side from originally learned and all Katas Orange
thru 2nd Black will be done on the left side. The new Techniques and Katas required for
3rd Degree Black will be done on the side learned. The Basics chosen for this test will be
the choice of the Instructor.
The student should demonstrate to the judges that they are truly ready for this rank by
their power and proficiency in the Techniques and Katas.
At this point in the
students training they have learned 514 Self Defense Techniques and Variations &
19 Katas.
The time required to attain Sandan is approximately 5 years of training
after receiving Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt). Students have been studying and/or
teaching for approximately 10 or 11 years to achieve the Sandan Rank. This time frame is
approximate and denotes continuous training.