ZANSHIN MARTIAL ARTS - GRADINGS
2026 Grading Dates
March Grading
Date: Saturday, 14 March 2026
Location: Franklin
Address: 135 Oodgeroo Avenue, Franklin ACT 2913
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Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
Date: Sunday, 15 March 2026
Location: Conder
Address: St. Clare of Assisi Primary School, 40 Heidelberg St. Conder ACT 2906
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Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
June Grading
Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026
Location: Franklin
Address: 135 Oodgeroo Avenue, Franklin ACT 2913
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Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
Date: Sunday, 14 June 2026
Location: Conder
Address: St. Clare of Assisi Primary School, 40 Heidelberg St. Conder ACT 2906
View on Google Maps
Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
September Grading
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Location: Franklin
Address: 135 Oodgeroo Avenue, Franklin ACT 2913
View on Google Maps
Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Location: Conder
Address: St. Clare of Assisi Primary School, 40 Heidelberg St. Conder ACT 2906
View on Google Maps
Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
December Grading
Date: Saturday, 12 December 2026
Location: Franklin
Address: 135 Oodgeroo Avenue, Franklin ACT 2913
View on Google Maps
Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
Date: Sunday, 13 December 2026
Location: Conder
Address: St. Clare of Assisi Primary School, 40 Heidelberg St. Conder ACT 2906
View on Google Maps
Times:
Purple, Orange, and Yellow Han - 9am
Red, Red 1, and Red 2 - 10am
Junior White, White 1, and White 2 - 11am
All Senior Grades - 12pm
Aiki Dan Grading
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Location: Erindale PCYC
Address: 17 Grattan Court, Wanniassa ACT 2903
Gradings
Gradings are an opportunity for students to progress to the next level in their training. Students start out at White Belt and continue through the ranks as they learn the techniques required to progress. Gradings are a great goal for students to work towards, and regular gradings give a sense of accomplishment and helps them see how far they have come in their training. They are an opportunity to show the very best they have learnt in their training, and to feel proud of what they have achieved.
We encourage all students to grade when they feel ready. It’s their own individual journey and we are happy for them to do it in their own time.
Grading Forms
Grading forms are handed out at class about a month before the next grading. The forms must be completed and submitted 8 days prior to the grading date.
Black belt applicant forms are due 30 days before the date of the grading.
Grading Schedule and Times
Zanshin runs four grading weekends a year. There is a Northside grading on the Saturday and a Southside grading on the Sunday of grading weekends. Students only need to attend one grading day.
Junior gradings are split by grade groups, and the grading lasts for about an hour. Junior students are able to leave after their grading.
Senior gradings are combined, and can take up to 4 hours. There is a split after the green tip (7th kyu) gradings to present the first half of certificates, students who wish to leave then are free to. Students at green belt and above are expected to attend the full senior grading.
Watching and Supporting
Parents, family, and friends are always welcome to come and watch the Zanshin gradings and support students. We do our best to make spectator positions available and accessible. If you do have any concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Grading Fees
Zanshin grading fees cover all grading materials, belts, and certificates.
- Junior Grading - $60
- Senior Grading - $70
Aiki Dan Grading
For students ranked black belt and higher, there is a single aiki dan grading held each year. This grading is very different to regular gradings, and is a measure of skill and stamina - as students grade to this level they are provided with information to guide their journey towards this goal.