After numerous meeting’s the EEC have decided that the revised ages for senior grades in Europe will be:

1st Dan at 16 years, 2nd Dan at 18 years, 3rd Dan at 25 years, 4th Dan at 32 years, 5th Dan & at 42 years, and 6th Dan at 50 years, Shihan title will be awarded 2 years after grading to 5th Dan and at the approval of block director and EEC, this would also be the requirement for anyone grading to 6th Dan.

This will be implemented and added to the European Rules as from the IKGA Seminar in Italy this year.