Golden Panther Posted April 5, 2003 Posted April 5, 2003 In the history of BJJ, has there ever been a female black belt? To my knowledge, I have never heard of one. Also, I believe the highest ranking non-Brazilian black belt in BJJ is second degree. Do you think the Gracie organization is purposely discriminating against others who are not Brazilian men who have an interest (ability) in climbing the BJJ ranks?
TJS Posted April 6, 2003 Posted April 6, 2003 there are Female BJJ blackbelts..and more than one..just dont remeber the names off the top of my head...
Kensai Posted April 6, 2003 Posted April 6, 2003 There is a Gracie girl thats a BB I think. And she is rather pretty too.
JohnnyS Posted April 7, 2003 Posted April 7, 2003 There's also Leka who's a female black belt. As far as non-Brazilian men who are high-ranking, that's because BJJ has only been out of Brazil for around 10-15 years, apart from a few people in Rorion's garage. Since it commonly takes around 10 years to get a black belt in BJJ, it's no wonder that no non-Brazilians are higher than 2nd degree. BJJ - Black Belt under John Will (Machado)Shootfighting - 3rd Degree Black BeltTKD - Black Belt
Golden Panther Posted April 7, 2003 Author Posted April 7, 2003 Here's another question that's somewhat related. Should it really take someone ten years to get a black belt in BJJ or any martial art for that matter. A black belt does not signify "master." It merely says that someone has attained a certain level of profficiency and one is truly at that point beginning to understand the art. In Korea, after 1 year of training in Hapkido for 3 hours a day 3 days a week; a black belt can be obtained. In Japan, it only takes one year to reach a black belt in Aikido. It seems that westerners have the wrong understanding of what a black belt really signifies. Also, I think there is a money issue. American instructors are looking to benefit financially, where in Japan, most instructors volunteer there time for the good of the art. BJJ I think probably is hesitant to promote non Brazilians up the ranks quickly for fear of losing the identity and control of the art. I don't think skill level or time in grade have anything to do with it.
TJS Posted April 7, 2003 Posted April 7, 2003 The diffrence between a BJJ black belt and many stlyes is that if they can ALWAYS fight...A BJJ black belt is respected because you dont have to toss a coin.. in most stlyes a black dosent always mean they have skill.
JohnnyS Posted April 7, 2003 Posted April 7, 2003 What's wrong with black belt being a master ? Most people believe that to be a black belt in a martial art you must be a "master". Bjj is the only art that actually means it. In my experience a Blue belt belt in BJJ is the same as a black belt(maybe even higher) in other arts, in terms of the ability to make the techniques work. I see nothing wrong with black belt being a master. I'm a brown belt and I've been training in BJJ for 12 years. My instructor is not Brazilian and so has no problem with letting me wait until he thinks I'm ready to be black belt (thank God). So there goes your "Brazilians holding people back" argument. I don't feel like I'm ready for black belt yet and that should mean more than what an outside believes. Chuck Norris said he was more proud of getting his blue belt in BJJ than getting his black belt in any other art because in BJJ you have to earn your belts. If you're a blue belt you can defend yourself, if you're a purple belt you can kick ass etc. There is no money issue with holding people back in the grades until they are ready, unless you believe that people only train to be given a belt and then leave ? You seem to be saying that giving away belts is better for the art than making people work for the grade and making the belt mean something. How do you figure that ? And as far as skill having nothing to do with it and it just being a way for the Brazilians to keep control - this really shows how ignorant you are. Go to Brazil and you'll see just how tough their coloured belts are, let alone the black belts. If what you're suggesting was true then foreigne coloured belts should be easily able to beat the Brazilian coloured belts since the foreigners are being held back. Sorry, doesn't happen that way. You claim that the Brazilians only promote Brazilians to high grades - which is false. You claim that they hold people back in the grades for money - which is false. You also claim that they only teach for money rather than the good of the art - which is also false. It seems to me that your posts are very anti-Brazilian, why is that ? BJJ - Black Belt under John Will (Machado)Shootfighting - 3rd Degree Black BeltTKD - Black Belt
Golden Panther Posted April 7, 2003 Author Posted April 7, 2003 I'm not anti-Brazilian or anti-anything for that matter. On the contrary, I have an incredible amount of respect for BJJ. Although, I am not sure how good BJJ would be in a fight with multiple attackers. I guess my impression has been that the BJJ schools I have been to seem more interested in getting you to sign up for their incredibly expensive private lessons, than anything else. Not to mention that their group classes are by far more expensive than any other style in the area. And don't tell me you get what you pay for, because I feel that alot of BJJ schools are banking on their name recognition. Sure the style has merit, but not only the rich should be able to learn BJJ in the US. The day that some BJJ black belt begins teaching at the local YMCA or starts offering more affordable prices for their lessons is the day I think BJJ will be better respected. Not all of us are movie stars making millions and can afford private lessons with Rickson Gracie and the like. Also, if skill associated with belt rank have no bearing, than why not make the incredibly skilled blue belt a black belt? Or better yet, have no belt system in BJJ at all?
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