The journey to a 4th-degree black belt is not easy:

Roughly 50% of martial art beginners quit within the first few weeks, and only about 10-12% remain after one year.

Only 1 to 5 people out of every 100 eventually tie a black belt (midnight blue) around their waist.

In most studios, of the students who actually earn their 1st-degree black belt, fewer than 1% to 10% continue through the years of testing and training to reach 4th Dan.

Recently, Bill Toomey SBN earned his Yuk (6th) Dan; congratulations, Toomey SBN! Later in June (2026), Chris Curtis and Tom Hoffman will join Bill Toomey SBN and Dianna Hume SBN with their hard-earned red stripes.

The journey from 10th gup (white belt) to 4th dan (lowest level with a red stripe) takes a minimum of 17 years, so start today!