On Sunday, 12/02/02, the U.S. Shidokan held a Belt Ranking Promotion Test at the Honbu Dojo. Chicago Fitness Center is the location for the U.S. Shidokan Headquarters. This annual promotion test is traditionally special because the test is held after the World Shidokan Open Tournament, which allows our International guests to train and test with the founder and Grandmaster of Shidokan Karate, Kancho Yoshiji Soeno, who attends and oversees the yearly sold-out event.

The Shidokan promotion test generally lasts about 5 hours in duration. The test covers the three training disciplines of Shidokan, Kihon- Traditional basic techniques, such as, punches, kicks, blocks and stances. Kata- which combines the basic movements into froms against multiple opponents. Kumite- which is sparring. The sparring encompasses the three areas of combat that makes Shidokan the "Triathlon of Martial Arts". Bare Knuckle Karate, (during the test, protective gloves are worn), Muay Thai Kick Boxing and Grappling. The uniqueness of the promotion test is that no test is ever the same. Although each test does cover the aforementioned traditional aspects of Shidokan, there is also the non-traditional cardio workout. Having participated in over a dozen tests myself, I can attest to the term "non-traditional". One time for example, all 40 participants started the test with a three mile run to the lake and back. Another time we had done 500 jumping jacks and 500 squat kicks to get the blood flowing. Whatever the challenge, the primary goal of each test has always been the same. Through sweat, pain, tears and fears, DON'T QUIT! That is the true test to test yourself.

Among the 50 participants this year, there were 8 Shodan (black belt) candidates testing in front of Kancho Soeno and Shihan Eddie Yoshimura, President of the U.S. Shidokan, and the highest ranking black belt (8th degree) in the nation. Two of the candidates were testing for their junior black belt because they were under the age of 18. Kaelee Arrieta, who is 11, has been training for over 4 years, and Baydon Gonzalez, 14, has been training for over 5 years. Two long time Shidokan students, Jason Chan and Dean Matsuo, have been training for 16 and 14 years respectively. Phillip Sehenuk, John Youngkins, Jeffery Drake, and Jaral Bowman, who train under Shidokan World Champion, Sensai Richard Trammell, in the Shidokan divison out of Atlanta, GA. All candidates demonstrated true Samurai Spirit and were awarded their much deserved promotion to Shodan (first degree black belt). The rank of Shodan symbolizes ones ability to train at an advanced level and signifies the beginning of a new path of learning. Congratulations to all the warriors that endured the test!