RAQ Week

Our MADMeet Competitions were a very popular part of our Dojo for many years. Since we ended them with a Championship victory by the Dragons, we have been creating different ways to substitute that event. As we realized that our students were growing and getting better every MADMeet season, it became apparent that we needed to channel that comeptitive energy and effort into our promotion testing.

In order to hopefully make testing more substantial, powerful, meaningful and competitive, they will now become competitive with other members of their same rank, and the results of the system could have students passing other students in the ranking order during promotion testing.

"RAQ" Week - Pronounced (Rock) Week

Stands for: Rank Advancement Qualifier Week

If you're able to conquer the RAQ, you will then be invited to:

“The KIAI”

(Karate Inter-Rank Advancement Invitational)

During RAQ Week, all students will test with their material from previous ranks, not including their newest rank material. Each student will be scored accordingly in a system of three points.

3 points for extremely good.

2 points for good.

1 point for knowledgeable.

0 points for bad or wrong technique.

They will also be scored in a separate category on effort.

3 points for great effort.

2 points for medium effort.

1 point for so-so effort.

0 points for no effort.

These points will be carried into “The KIAI.”

“The KIAI” will consist of a competition within each belt rank.

Each competitor will have to reach a certain score in order to advance in rank. (Just like your previous promotion tests.)

The competitor with the highest score will then become the highest rank within that set and then known as the Rank Captain. The Rank Captain will always start the line when lining up for class.

In other words, students may now pass other students, unlike our current ranking system, within their group.

If a student does not receive enough points to pass their test, they will remain at the same level. However, any new student advancing to that rank, may possibly pass them, providing they have a higher score at that level.

*There are no additional charges for the "RAQ Week" or "The KIAI". The standard testing fee will apply if you qualify for testing at "The KIAI."

“The KIAI” will also have an added event for extra bonus points.

Each student will have the option to receive extra credit points through Kumite.

Points scored in Kumite could possibly be added to their promotion score. These points would only count towards their promotion test score, and whether or not they passed or failed the test. They would not be used to surpass another student in rank.

"RAQ" (Rank Advancement Qualifier) April 29, 2024 through May 3, 2024

*During "RAQ" Week, ALL classes will be Rank Advancement Qualifying classes during every session. ALL students are encouraged to attend this week of testing.

*Only the students that have qualified to test through training points and attendance will be invited to participate in "The KIAI". You can check your promotion status on the "Rank Advancement" page. Participation, and passing your test during "The KIAI" is the only way to advance in rank. The standard testing fee will apply for this event.

*Monday, April 29, 2024 - At Rising Sun Martial Arts

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: SuperKids Testing

6:15 PM - 7:15 PM: Black Belt Karate Testing

The following schedule will apply to Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Wednesday, May 1, 2024 and Friday, May 3, 2024:

* All Students must attend at least one of these days.

Yellow Belts, Yellow 1st and Yellow 2nd - 5:30-6:00 PM

Orange Belts, Orange 1st and Orange 2nd - 5:30-6:30 PM

Blue Belts, Blue 1st, Blue 2nd, Purple Belts, Purple 1st and Purple 2nd - 5:30-7:15 PM

Green Belts, Green 1st and Green 2nd - 5:30-7:40 PM

Brown Belts, Brown 1st and Brown 2nd - 5:30-8:00 PM

*Saturday, May 4, 2024 - At North Zion Lutheran Church

9:30 AM: "The KIAI" (Karate Inter-Rank Advancement Invitational)