General overview of grades

Basic Mokgeom wooden sword stance and walking cuts.

Korean sword art focused on battlefield multi-opponent slashes.

First form Ssangsoo Gumbup 1 and paper cutting practice.

Precise control of stopping the blade at the exact angle.

Ssangsoo Gumbup 2 & 3 forms and candle extinguishing.

Generating wind pressure with blade tip without physical contact.

Ssangsoo Gumbup 4 & 5 forms and initial bamboo cutting (Jipdo) tests.

Testing real cutting force alignment on bamboo targets.

Ssangsoo Gumbup 6 & 7 forms and straw mat cutting in motion.

Reaction speed and fluid transition between slashing and blocking.

Ssangsoo Gumbup 8 form, Yedo sword handling, and Gyeokgum sparring.

Practical application of sword dueling in controlled sparring.

Yedo Gumbup 1-3 forms and sharp Jingum sword cutting practice.

Transitioning from wooden practice sword to sharp steel blade.

Yedo Gumbup 4-6 forms and advanced bamboo bundle cutting.

Preparation for national cutting and forms championships.

Yedo Gumbup 7-9 forms and jumping acrobatic cuts.

Mastering dynamic combat jumps and multi-angle slashes.

Bonguk Gumbup 1-4 forms, precision cutting tests, & Chodan exam prep.

Pre-master maturity before entering the black belt ranks.

Full master rank. Teaching Bonguk Gumbup and official WHGF certification.

Chodan = Black belt as proof of mastering Korean traditional sword art.

Jangbaek Gumbup forms and multi-bamboo bundle cutting.

Developing fluidity and speed when slicing multiple targets.

Waegeom Gumbup forms (Japanese sword adaptations) & dojang leadership.

Officially recognized instructor authorized to lead a dojang training center.

Senior Master Sabomnim rank. Instructor training & national grading examiner.

Sabomnim = Chief instructor and guarantor of the World Haidong Gumdo Federation.

Highest achievable Kwanjangnim rank. Research of historic manuals & global head.

Kwanjangnim = Living legend and grandmaster of international Haidong Gumdo.