WASHINGTON — Sensei David Warren of the Washington Karate Academy recently elevated the rank of six Martial Arts students, all successfully completing a rigorous, ritualistic test.

“It’s very difficult because you have to put in time, perseverance, dedication. It’s not just something that you do,” Warren said. “It’s amazing watching their self-defense go from elementary to more advanced.”

Warren uses 20 primary techniques from various katas and secret moves as the foundation for his studies. To advance in rank, students must build upon each technique, becoming more advanced, skillful and eloquent in form.

Joshua Chandler entered with an honorary Sandan, or Third-Degree Black Belt, rank, which was updated during the exam. He illustrated all apportioned techniques in the Black Belt system from White Belt to Third-Degree Black Belt. Chandler, who has been training for more than 15 years, demonstrated eight different weapon kata forms, more than a dozen empty-hand kata forms and sparred with classmates over several rounds. At the conclusion of the presentation, he was raised to the rank of Yandan, or Fourth-Degree Black Belt.

Since earning his Shodan rank, or First-Degree Black Belt, Greg Berry has trained for four years with Warren, while also putting in time teaching and assisting in-class training. Berry was elevated to the level of Nidan, or Second-Degree Black Belt, after illustrating seven weapon katas, over a dozen empty hand katas and displaying how to use six different Asian weapons.

Further along in the testing, Blake Lee presented 11 katas, six different weapon katas and 20 self-defense techniques, using various items to spar with classmates. At the conclusion of his showcase, Lee was honored with the rank of Shodan.

“They represent the dojo by being good public citizens, Warren said. “How they carry themselves, how they show their character and personality to the lower ranks — the brown belts, green belts and white belts — is important. We try to show that the higher-ranking students are people that the lower ranking ones, regardless of age, can look up to, respect and honor.”

With the help of the adult ranks, Tianna Van Cura and Jazmin Vega, two karatekas under the age of 15, were granted the rank of Shodan Ho, or junior Black Belt, after their individual presentations. Van Cura illustrated 20 self-defense techniques, 11 katas, six different weapons and sparred with classmates. Vega demonstrated 20 self-defense techniques and several weapons, while also sparring with classmates.

In a rather unexpected turn of events, Devon Van Cura, a Shodan Ho who was there to assist his sister, Tianna, achieve the same rank, was promoted to the rank of adult First-Degree Black Belt, or Shodan. According to Warren, Devon was awarded this rank because his regularly helps with the dojo, teaches classes whenever asked and assisted in the test.

“I like to think that not only am I helping teenagers, kids and adults in marshal arts — learning kata, weapons and the Asian philosophies and disciplines — but also how to become better citizens in our local county, becoming more responsible people. Sadly, we’re seeing the opposite in society today. Our dojo is like a church or spiritual hospital. We’re here to help people and improve the individual.”