World Kickboxing Organisation
Kickboxing Grading Syllabus

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WKO Official Kickboxing Syllabus

Ownership, Authorisation & Grading Regulations

The WKO Official Kickboxing Syllabus was developed and introduced in 1999 by WKO World President Jon Green. Since its introduction, this established training and grading system has contributed to the development of numerous National, International and World Champions across both amateur and professional kickboxing.

This syllabus is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws and remains the exclusive intellectual property of WKO World President Jon Green 7th Dan.

The use, reproduction, distribution, teaching or implementation of this syllabus for grading purposes is strictly restricted to clubs and instructors who have received official authorisation.

Only registered and approved WKO clubs are permitted to teach, assess and award grades under this syllabus. Any individual, instructor, club or organisation found using, reproducing or conducting gradings under this syllabus without the express permission of WKO World President Jon Green may be subject to legal action to protect these intellectual property rights.

Authorised Club Gradings

All officially registered and approved WKO Kickboxing clubs are authorised to deliver training in accordance with this established syllabus.

Authorised clubs may conduct examinations and award grades up to and including 1st Kyu (Brown Belt), provided they comply with WKO grading standards and regulations.

Clubs may also request that WKO World President Jon Green personally conducts their grading examinations. These can be arranged upon request, subject to availability.

National Dan Grading Examinations

Official WKO National Dan Grading examinations will be held twice annually:

July: In conjunction with the WKO World Championships.

November: Official WKO National Dan Grading.

All Dan Grade examinations must be conducted in accordance with the official WKO assessment criteria and authorised grading procedures.

Dan Grade Progression — Strictly No Skipping

Students and members are strictly prohibited from skipping Dan Grades under any circumstances.

All candidates must progress sequentially through the Dan Grade structure, meeting the required training periods, technical standards and examination criteria for each grade.

This regulation is mandatory and applies to all WKO members, clubs and instructors.

Kyu Grade Double Grading — Exceptional Achievement

Students may be permitted to double grade on one occasion only during their entire Kyu Grade progression, subject to approval by an authorised WKO examiner.

This exceptional allowance may be considered where a student:

Demonstrates outstanding technical ability and progression significantly beyond their current grade or maybe achieves exceptional competitive success, such as winning a major recognised tournament or championship title fight.

Double grading is not an automatic entitlement and must be supported by a successful technical assessment demonstrating competence at the higher grade.

No student may double grade more than once during their Kyu Grade progression.

WORLD KICKBOXING ORGANISATION (WKO)

Official WKO Syllabus — Established 1999

Costings:

KYU GRADES

Beginner Kyu Grades

9th KYU to 6th KYU £25 includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt

Intermediate Kyu Grades

5th KYU to 3rd KYU £30 includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt

Advanced Kyu Grades

2nd KYU to Junior Black £35 includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt

DAN GRADES

£125 – 1st Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£135 – 2nd Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£145 – 3rd Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£155 – 4th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£165 – 5th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£175 – 6th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£185 – 7th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£195 – 8th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£205 – 9th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt
£215 – 10th Dan includes Grading, Certificate of Grade and Belt

For further information of how to join as a WKO club or get involved in our Grading system contact Jon Green Email: president@worldkickboxingorganisation.org

STUDENT OATH

Must uphold the true spirit of the Martial Arts & never to abuse the skills which have been entrusted into them against any persons except for the defence of themself, family or friends in the instance of extreme danger or unprovoked aggression or in the support of law & order.

Must pledge themself to the progression & growth of World Kickboxing Organisation & affiliated members.

Rules & Code of Conduct

Grading periods:

Children from 9TH KYU to 3rd KYU shall be a minimum of 3 months between each beginner and intermediate Kyu grading.

From 2nd KYU to Junior Black is 6 Months, between each advanced Kyu grading.

From junior Black to 1st Dan 6 months, Junior Black is designed as mock exam of what will be expected of them at 1st Dan level.

The average time from 9th Kyu to 1st Dan is no less than 4 years. This is why WKO Dan Grades are held in high regard. But as injurys and time off occurs the realistic time frame to achieve WKO 1st Dan/Degree is 5 years.

Dan grading for:

1st to 2nd Dan 2 Years
2nd to 3rd Dan 3 years
3rd to 4th Dan 4 years
4th to 5th Dan 5 years
5th to 6th Dan 6 years
6th to 7th Dan 7 years
7th to 8th Dan 8 years
8th to 9th Dan 9 years
9th to 10th Dan 10 years

No student shall be allowed to attempt a grading without holding an up to date licence & a minimum of 20 sessions between beginner & Intermedicate KYU Grades. And 40 sessions inbetween advanced KYU Grades.

All students must show respect to all instructors appointed

WHAT THEY SAY GOES!!!

The official World Kickboxing Organisation (WKO) Kickboxing Grading Syllabus, was designed and formulated by WKO World President, Founder and Owner Jon Green 7th Dan.

This Syllabus was launched in 1999 and has forged National, International and World Champions both Amateur and Professional.

This Syllabus is time tested, proven in combat and true level of excellence for any and all Kickboxers around the World.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Governing principles

1. Purpose

The WKO syllabus shall provide a consistent international standard for the teaching, examination and recognition of kickboxing grades.

The framework is based on five principles:

1. Progressive learning: Each grade builds upon previous technical knowledge.

2. Technical competence: Students must demonstrate correct techniques, not merely memorise combinations.

3. Practical application: Skills must be demonstrated through appropriate pad work, partner drills, defensive exercises and technical sparring or approved alternatives.

4. Safety and inclusivity: Examinations must be appropriate to the candidate's age, ability and physical circumstances.

5. Leadership and contribution: Senior Dan Grades and Master Degrees recognise increasing responsibility for teaching, development and preservation of technical standards.

2. Assessment Requirements

Requirement: Skills Assessed:
Boxing Straight punches, hooks, uppercuts, combinations and counters
Kicking Front, roundhouse, side, back, hook, spinning and appropriate jumping kicks
Footwork Movement, balance, pivots, angles and distance
Defence Blocks, covers, parries, slips, rolls, evasion and counters
Application Pad work, bag work, partner drills and technical sparring
Ringcraft Timing, distance, positioning, pressure and tactics
Knowledge Rules, safety, scoring, conduct and technical principles
Leadership Coaching, mentoring, examining and organisational contribution

3. Amateur boxing integration

The boxing element follows a progressive learning model consistent with amateur boxing coaching principles:
- Basic stance, guard and footwork before complex punching.
- Correct mechanics for straight punches, hooks and uppercuts.
- Defensive reactions and counterpunching.
- Punching while advancing, retreating and changing angles.
- Ring positioning, distance management and tactical decision-making.
- Technical application against a moving partner.

Boxing techniques must be adapted to kickboxing distance and the threat of kicks. Pure boxing head movement should not be copied indiscriminately into disciplines where knees or kicks create additional risks.

COMPLETE SYLLABUS

CLICK ON THE BELT TO VIEW EACH
GRADES REQUIREMENTS

BEGINNER GRADES

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INTERMEDIATE GRADES

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ADVANCED GRADES

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DAN GRADES

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Master Degrees

4th Dan is the final physically assessed Dan Grade, where a Martial Artist has proven themselves via a time served programme of dedication through personal improvement, sacrifice indomital spirit and achievement from 9th Kyu to 10th Dan | WKO Grand Master Recognition Framework

Master Degrees represent progression beyond the standard technical grading system.

At these levels, a candidate's contribution to the development, teaching, governance and preservation of kickboxing becomes increasingly important.

Master Degrees must not be awarded solely for years of training, competition results, organisational position or financial contribution. Candidates should demonstrate continuing competence, integrity and meaningful service to the sport.

The titles and requirements are proposed for WKO approval.

There are 4 Dan Grade Levels: