The gym was buzzing this December as nearly 60 practitioners gathered for our final grading of the year. It was a fantastic day that brought together the teams from United Krav Maga Edinburgh and Glasgow United Krav Maga to put their skills to the test and celebrate their hard work.
We were incredibly excited to have the session led by Global Expert Level 5, Marcin Fiodorow. Marcin brought a massive amount of energy and world-class technical knowledge, making the training intense, high-tempo, and highly rewarding. It was a day that truly brought out the best in every person on the mats.
Reaching the Next Level
The day began with a dedicated session for those aiming for Defender 1. For two and a half hours, these students put in a huge effort to demonstrate their technique and the “never give up” mindset that is so important in United Krav Maga.
Following this, the groups were divided by ranks. Students grading for Defender 2 right through to Fighter 3 were split into their own groups to be assessed on their specific skills. This gave everyone the chance to really show their progress and the techniques they have been refining over the last few months.
The results were brilliant. We saw a very high pass rate across the board, and the instructor team is incredibly proud of the hard work every student put in to earn their new grade. It’s a great feeling to see the dedication in both our Edinburgh and Glasgow clubs rewarded so well.
Why Grading is Key to Your Development
Krav Maga is built for the real world rather than the ring. While we use competitive elements in our drills to keep things sharp, our goal is practical self-defence rather than winning medals. This is why the grading system is such a great way to stay motivated and keep moving forward.
● Tracking Your Journey: Since we don’t focus on sporting competitions, gradings provide a clear, personal way to measure your improvement and see how much you’ve grown.
● A Clear Path: Students move through Defender levels (1–5) and then Fighter levels (1–5). For those who stay committed over the years, the Expert levels (black belt) are a fantastic goal to work towards.
● Testing Your Spirit: The exam is a brilliant way to prove to yourself that you can perform under pressure. Earning that next grade shows you have the skills and the mental toughness to handle yourself in a difficult situation.
