British Taekwondo would like to congratulate Master Jamie Keyse and Master Luisa Morales-Rueda on achieving their Chungdokwan and Kukkiwon 6th Dan Black Belts. Both have thoroughly enjoyed training for and taking part in the 6th Dan Chungdokwan Promotion Test, and the Kukkiwon video recording session highlighting how their dedication to training and the smooth-running of the test made their experience all the more greater.

Master Jamie Keyse

Jamie Keyse e1728297557846

“Having not tested in a long time, the last time I did a Chungdokwan Dan test was 2008 for my 5th Dan. Over the years focused on my own students creating black belts and building a full-time academy. In 2023, I felt it was time for me to take the next test, so I put a training plan together and followed it.

The day of the Chungdokwan test came, and I was feeling good about it. The Dan testing was running smoothly as always and towards the end of the day it was the High Dans’ turn, and we were called in. Now the nerves kicked in, but I managed to control them, and all the training preparation helped me to perform.

At first it felt a bit strange having a camera on you, , which was to submit to the UK Kukkiwon Office for assessment, but I soon forgot about that and just carried on. Once we finished, we all waited in anticipation for the Chungdokwan results, then my name was called out and that was an amazing feeling and I had almost forgotten what that felt like, having been so long since the last test. Everyone performed brilliantly on the day as this was a well-run test with outstanding candidate performances.” – Master Jamie Keyse

Master Luisa Morales-Rueda

“Last December 2023, 6 years after my last promotion and after having been preparing for it for a few years, I felt I was ready to take my 6th Kukkiwon promotion test. It was going to be the first time that my grading was going to be recorded and submitted to the UK Kukkiwon Office for assessment. After the long wait – I was the last person to grade that day – the exam went very quickly. Years of experience and some adrenaline gave me the stamina I needed to perform 6 poomsae and 2 new basic form techniques with power, control and focus. I had only learnt the basic techniques a few months before, but I felt confident I had prepared well. All the sparring practice in class in previous months helped me with the kyorugi during the recording session.

And at the end, I was very proud to achieve the Chungdokwan grade and receive my certificate from Grand Masters Mark Biddlecome and Lindsey Lawrence. The day was even more memorable by the fact that my thirteen-year-old son also took and passed his 1st Dan promotion test that day.” – Master Luisa Morales-Rueda

Master Luisa Morales Rueda e1728297613603

About Grading Events

If you’re also interested in achieving what Luisa and Jamie have, there are many opportunities for Dan gradings in our calendar, catered to a variety of Dan grades.

National Dan Grading

The British Taekwondo National Dan Grading is scheduled for Sunday 24th November in Manchester. This high quality and robust examination opportunity will provide a memorable lifetime experience for candidates, with a high ranking Grand Master & Master rank panel using a thorough testing syllabus. The National Dan Grading is for candidates who want to achieve their 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan Black Belts.

UK Kukkiwon Office High Dan Promotion Test

All candidates wishing to test for Kukkiwon 6th & 7th Dan must either submit a video for assessment by the UK Kukkiwon Office or attend a physical high Dan promotion test conducted by the UK Kukkiwon Office and its appointed panel of Grand Masters.

Candidates submitting a video for assessment will be informed of the result within 3-6 weeks of submitting the video and supporting evidence. Candidates attending a physical High Dan promotion test will be informed of the result on the day of the test.

The UK Kukkiwon Office High Dan Promotion Test is scheduled for Sunday 24th November in Manchester. This high quality and robust examination opportunity for candidates wishing to test for 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Dan will provide a memorable lifetime experience for candidates, with one of the highest ranking grading panels seen in the UK containing 9th Dan and 8th Dan Kukkiwon Grand Masters and guests, using a thorough Kukkiwon testing format.