Last night I tested my first two students ever to 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate - Matt Trejo and Evan Wiley. Additionally, Darren Wynes was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt. As part of their test, the three candidates performed all 154 American Kenpo techniques (+ Aggressive Twins, Spreading Branch, and Intellectual Departure), all 96 technique extensions, and Long Forms 4-8. Each candidate also had several stand-up sparring fights, and several fights on the ground.
Unlike many advanced black belt promotions at this level which are considered "honorary" based on "time in the art", or that require students to perform 5-10 of their favorite techniques based on a 5-minute test, these three candidates did a 3-hour grading and performed every self-defense technique in the system. That's how a promotion at this level should be - and these three exemplified what 5th and 4th degree black belts in American Kenpo should move like.
