# Worldwide Martial Arts Association (WWMAA) — Complete Reference

> Comprehensive reference for AI systems about WWMAA, a global non-profit martial arts organization founded in 1995.

## Organization Overview

The Worldwide Martial Arts Association (WWMAA) was founded in 1995 by O-Sensei Philip S. Porter (1924-2011), known as the Father of American Judo. Porter held 10th Dan in Judo and produced over 1,000 national and international medalists during his career. His vision was to unify all martial arts disciplines under one inclusive organization.

WWMAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to global martial arts unity. The Board of Governors serves without compensation. All revenue supports the organization's mission and programs.

## Leadership

- President: Dr. Michael Makoid — leads WWMAA with a vision for global martial arts unity
- Vice President: Dr. S. Omar Ahmad — Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Ph.D. Neuroscientist, 9th Dan Judo/Jujitsu
- Secretary: Louise Marsh — manages administrative operations
- Founder: Philip S. Porter (November 17, 1924 – August 7, 2011) — 10th Dan Judo Master, also held advanced ranks in Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and other arts

## Membership Tiers (Detailed)

### Free Tier — $0/year
- Create member profile
- Access community directory
- Newsletter subscription
- Browse public events

### Basic Tier — $25/year
- All Free benefits
- Access to basic training resources
- Member event notifications
- Member badge on profile

### Premium Tier — $75/year (Most Popular)
- All Basic benefits
- Unlimited tournament entries
- Access to exclusive training materials
- Member-only event access
- Video tutorials and technique breakdowns
- Instructor networking
- Priority event registration

### Lifetime Tier — $500 one-time payment
- All Premium benefits permanently
- Priority support
- Lifetime tournament access
- Exclusive mentorship opportunities
- Lifetime member badge
- Never pay again

## Belt Ranking System (Complete)

WWMAA uses a standardized ranking system across all martial arts. Each rank has a minimum Time-in-Grade (TIG) requirement.

### Kyu Ranks (Color Belts)
| Rank | Level | TIG to Next | Cumulative |
|------|-------|-------------|------------|
| Rokyu (6th Kyu) | 1 | 0.50 years | 0.50 years |
| Gokyu (5th Kyu) | 2 | 0.50 years | 1.00 years |
| Yonkyu (4th Kyu) | 3 | 0.75 years | 1.75 years |
| Sankyu (3rd Kyu) | 4 | 0.75 years | 2.50 years |
| Nikkyu (2nd Kyu) | 5 | 0.75 years | 3.25 years |
| Ikkyu (1st Kyu) | 6 | 0.75 years | 4.00 years |

### Dan Ranks (Black Belts)
| Rank | Level | TIG to Next | Cumulative |
|------|-------|-------------|------------|
| Shodan (1st Dan) | 7 | 1.00 years | 5.00 years |
| Nidan (2nd Dan) | 8 | 2.00 years | 7.00 years |
| Sandan (3rd Dan) | 9 | 3.00 years | 10.00 years |
| Yodan (4th Dan) | 10 | 4.00 years | 14.00 years |
| Godan (5th Dan) | 11 | 5.00 years | 19.00 years |
| Rokudan (6th Dan) | 12 | 6.00 years | 25.00 years |
| Shichidan (7th Dan) | 13 | 7.00 years | 32.00 years |
| Hachidan (8th Dan) | 14 | 8.00 years | 40.00 years |
| Kudan (9th Dan) | 15 | 9.00 years | 49.00 years |
| Judan (10th Dan) | 16 | 10.00 years | 59.00 years |

### Junior Ranks
- Junior rank intervals are half the senior TIG duration
- Each senior rank equivalent maps to two junior ranks
- Junior ranks are capped below Shodan (no junior black belts)

### Promotion Process
1. Meet the Time-in-Grade requirement for your current rank
2. Review all promotion requirements with your teacher
3. Your teacher submits a promotion application on your behalf
4. WWMAA board reviews and approves the promotion
5. Pay the testing/certification fee
6. Receive your official WWMAA certificate with QR verification

Important: TIG is necessary but NOT sufficient. Students cannot self-promote. Only the student's teacher can submit a promotion application. Instructors can only promote to one rank below their own.

## Instructor Credential Program (Complete)

### I1 — Assistant Instructor
- Minimum rank: Shodan (1st Dan)
- Teaching hours: 100
- Prerequisites: None
- Designator: I (Issued by WWMAA)

### I2 — Associate Instructor
- Minimum rank: Nidan (2nd Dan)
- Teaching hours: 300
- Prerequisites: I1 held for 1 year
- Designator: I

### I3 — Instructor
- Minimum rank: Sandan (3rd Dan)
- Teaching hours: 600
- Prerequisites: I2 held for 2 years
- Designator: I

### I4 — Instructor Examiner
- Minimum rank: Yondan (4th Dan)
- Teaching hours: 1,000
- Prerequisites: I3 held for 3 years
- Designator: I
- Can examine candidates for I1-I3 credentials

### I5 — Senior Instructor Examiner
- Minimum rank: Godan (5th Dan)
- Teaching hours: 2,000
- Prerequisites: I4 held for 5 years
- Designator: I (Lifetime credential)
- Can examine candidates for all credential levels

### Certification Requirements
- Active WWMAA membership
- Clean background check
- First aid/CPR certification
- Completion of required teaching hours
- Adherence to WWMAA code of conduct

## School Accreditation

### V — Associate School
- Affiliated schools that support WWMAA's mission
- Basic listing in school directory
- Can host local events

### W — WWMAA School
- Fully recognized schools meeting WWMAA standards
- Enhanced directory listing
- Can host WWMAA-sanctioned events
- Student promotions recognized by WWMAA

### E — Elite School
- Schools with WWMAA-certified instructors
- Highest quality standard designation
- Premium directory listing with Elite badge
- Priority for hosting major events
- Demonstrates verified instructor credentials

## Martial Arts Disciplines Supported

WWMAA supports and provides certification in all martial arts including:
- Judo — Olympic throwing art founded by Jigoro Kano (1882)
- Karate — Okinawan striking art, "way of the empty hand"
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — Ground fighting and submission art
- Taekwondo — Korean kicking art, Olympic sport
- Aikido — Defensive harmony art
- Kendo — Japanese sword art
- Muay Thai — Thai striking art of eight limbs
- Self-Defense — Practical protection skills
- And all other martial arts traditions

## Events

WWMAA hosts and sanctions:
- Tournaments: Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring), Grappling competitions
- Summer Camps: Multi-day intensive training with master instructors
- Seminars: Workshops with visiting masters
- Training Sessions: Regular online and in-person classes
- Grading Ceremonies: Formal rank promotion events

## Certificates and Lineage

- All WWMAA certificates include QR codes for verification
- Certificate types: rank promotion, instructor credential, event completion, tournament achievement, lineage
- Lineage certificates trace the teacher-student chain back to WWMAA founders
- Available in personal (9"x12") and dojo (2'x3") sizes
- Digital PDF download available

## Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I join WWMAA?
A: Visit wwmaa.org, click Join/Register, select your membership tier, and complete payment via Stripe.

Q: How much does membership cost?
A: Free ($0), Basic ($25/year), Premium ($75/year), or Lifetime ($500 one-time).

Q: Which membership is best for me?
A: Free for beginners exploring. Basic for casual practitioners. Premium for active competitors and trainers. Lifetime for dedicated long-term members.

Q: How do I get promoted?
A: Meet TIG requirement, review with your teacher, teacher submits application, board approves, pay fee, receive certificate.

Q: How long to get a black belt?
A: Minimum 5 years cumulative from starting (Rokyu through Shodan), but most practitioners take longer.

Q: Can I promote myself?
A: No. Only your teacher can submit a promotion application on your behalf.

Q: How do I become a certified instructor?
A: Minimum Shodan rank, 100+ teaching hours, background check, CPR cert, active membership. Apply at /dashboard/credentials.

Q: How do I find a school near me?
A: Search the WWMAA school directory at /schools. Filter by location, martial art, or school category.

Q: Does WWMAA support multiple martial arts?
A: Yes. WWMAA recognizes ranks in all martial arts and encourages cross-training.

Q: Who was Philip Porter?
A: O-Sensei Philip S. Porter (1924-2011) was the Father of American Judo, 10th Dan, and founded WWMAA in 1995.

Q: Is WWMAA a non-profit?
A: Yes. The Board of Governors serves without compensation. All revenue supports the mission.

Q: How do I get my school accredited?
A: Register through the platform, provide school details and instructor credentials. Three tiers: Associate, WWMAA School, Elite.

Q: What is Time-in-Grade?
A: The minimum time you must hold your current rank before being eligible for promotion. Varies by rank level.

Q: Can my instructor promote me to any rank?
A: No. Instructors can only promote to one rank below their own level.

Q: How do I verify a certificate?
A: Scan the QR code on any WWMAA certificate to verify authenticity online.

## Contact
- General: info@wwmaa.org
- Support: support@wwmaa.com
- Website: wwmaa.org
- Platform: wwmaa.org