On January 10th 2014 I was honored to be promoted to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt by the legend himself Marcelo “Marcelinho” Garcia at Marcelo Garcia Academy NYC
I am incredibly lucky to have an opportunity to train at MG Academy NYC and learn BJJ from the worlds best instructors and competitors. The skill and level of people at this academy is beyond amazing.
Anyone who has or is training BJJ knows, that it is an incredible path to follow. Once you are hooked on BJJ, it becomes an integral part of your life and identity. Yet, it is a path of hard training, injuries, and difficulties. BJJ is about perseverance and dedication.
That is why a promotion mean so much to a BJJ practitioner. I did not have to take a test or pay for my promotion. I did not know I was getting it or asked for it. It comes when I deserved it.
A promotion signifies an acknowledgment of ones skill and dedication. For me, to have it acknowledged by someone like Marcelo Garcia is an immense honor.
It is almost impossible to lie about your rank in BJJ. Your skill will show on the mat, whether it is at training or at tournaments. One cannot fake it by learning few moves or posturing and making big statements. It is acquired only through dedication and live training.
This is why I love this sport.
I have worked hard and long to get to this promotion, but it is only a step in a life long journey of BJJ. There is no limit or end to learning and improving and I hope to continue on this path for the rest of my life.
It is difficult to explain to people not familiar with the sport. Many assume that the ranks and belts are the goal of training. Thus I get questions like … “So what do you get when you get a belt promotion?” or “So what happens when you get a Black Belt?” The answer is nothing. You come back next day and train the same way you’ve trained the day before.
What you do get is acknowledgement, respect and comradery of you training partners and instructors. And that is more valuable than any material reward.
I am blessed to be able to walk the BJJ path
FlowHound 