What is the Difference between a GrandMaster, Master, BlackBelt and Student?

Updated on January 16th, 2023 at 03:42 pm

By: GrandMaster Donald Weidendorf

The main difference between a student and a GrandMaster is perspective. A GrandMaster thinks of Martial Arts as a one martial art, not as Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kali, etc… Their experience lets them see how things blend together, and that the only difference is that some martial arts styles emphasize one aspect of training vs. another aspect.

A GrandMaster thinks about and applies intricate changes to refine and improve techniques, while a student is worried more about larger more obvious things. An example of this: a student
may concentrate on the width of their stance, keeping their back leg straight and their front knee bent for their front stance; a GrandMaster thinks about how turning the front foot in by ¼” locks their foot and hip together and makes for a better stance. A GrandMaster has the perspective of goals beyond achieving the next belt rank. They understand that the Martial Arts are a life long passion, and that there is no end to what can be learned or improved upon.

Attaining a Black Belt is a new beginning, not an ending. A GrandMaster has the ability to see what type of technique will work best for a student; that technique isn’t a one size fits all type of situation, that there are many different ways to perform a technique and that some methods are better for certain body styles than others. These are just a few examples of how a GrandMaster is different than a Master, Black Belt or student.

Supreme GrandMaster Yu recently appointed and promoted Master Donald Weidendorf, a longtime student of 30+ years, as an 8th Dan GrandMaster.  Supreme GrandMaster Yu highly recognized the newly promoted GrandMaster Weidendorf with a Citation for his lifelong contribution to the expansion and promotion of martial arts education and honorable practice within our Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts, In Nay Ryu International Martial Arts Federation.  In addition to traveling quarterly to Oak Park, IL to consistently train with Supreme GrandMaster Yu, GrandMaster Weidendorf teaches and leads Parma Family Martial Arts Center in Cleveland, OH.