This is just a quick post about my thoughts on the elusive BJJ Black belt. As I venture through my journey of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are lots of things I realise about myself. I explain why I think the black belt isn’t the peak of the BJJ journey.
It’s taken me eight years to go from white belt to purple belt, and I still have the whole of that belt to go before getting to my brown and then finally, my blackbelt.
I know people who have got their black belt in five years. Which I think is crazy in this particular art form. However, it has made me think about my own journey, where I am and what it means. Here are my thoughts.
If I told you that I had been to the summit of Mount Everest, you’d be impressed right?
What if I told you I got there by helicopter?
Still impressed?
If the answer is ‘No, I’d be less impressed’ – then you suddenly realise it’s not about the summit. The summit, the top, the peak, is irrelevant. It’s about the journey.
This is when I realised that someone else’s journey should be irrelevant to me, regardless of how they got/get to the metaphorical BJJ summit.
What This Means
The summit is, of course, the black belt in this scenario and gaining it (in my opinion) should be difficult. You should compete and fail miserably, question your abilities, realise that you’re rubbish. Realising that you are better than the average Joe and going through your Instagram to try and work out how long you’ve been at the level you’re at.
BJJ is a journey! It’s not much of an adventure if you get in the car and go to the corner shop. BJJ is no exception. The age-old ‘are we there yet?’ should be asked by everyone, at least once. This is why I don’t think you should be getting a new belt every year. (there are, of course, exceptions to this, but these kinds of people are and should be few and far between).
The real headache is of course when you hit the metaphorical ‘summit’ and realise it’s only the first base point!
According to the IBJJF belt system, once you have your black belt, it’ll take:
- 3 years to get your 1st Degree.
- 3 years to get your 2nd Degree.
- 3 years to get your 3rd Degree.
- 5 years to get your 4th Degree.
- 5 years to get your 5th Degree.
- 5 years to get your 6th Degree.
- 7 years to get your 7th Degree.
- 7 years to get your 8th Degree.
- 10 years to get your 9th Degree
The 10th Degree is of course reserved for the pioneers of the art.
As you hit the BJJ ‘Summit’ (after about ten years or so), you then realise… there are another 48 years, AT LEAST until you hit the actual summit.
Summary
I’ve come to realise that someone else’s journey is not your own. Whether they (or you) get a helicopter to the top or not – is irrelevant. Stay on your path. It’s a long journey. Enjoy it.
Follow me on Twitter @ads_jujitsu_bjj, and for more UK Combat Sports news and discussions make sure to follow Combat Sports UK.
Featured image credits to Adam Phillips
