Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that truly allows an individual to completely reshape their life. There are so many transferable lessons to life that you will learn while training BJJ. Getting to the highest level of this sport is represented by receiving a black belt. The BJJ black belt is not something that is just given to anyone, the person who wears this emulates exceptional and very respectable qualities that we should all aspire to have in our personal lives. In this article we break down the BJJ Black belt and what our interpretation of it is.
BJJ Black Belt
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt is the highest rank someone can achieve in the sport. Getting here is no easy feat and typically takes a decade to accomplish. Out of the estimated 3.5 million people that practice jiu-jitsu world wide only 6,100 black belts are registered with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. This goes to show that the chances of making it here are slim to none if you aren’t willing to put the effort, time, energy or make the necessary sacrifices to get here.
Jiu Jitsu is unique in the way it promotes people through the ranks. This is not karate. Not everyone receives a new belt after mastering a set amount of moves. Becoming a black belt is something that does show you are very competent at the art of jiu jitsu but also have a character that represents the sport in the right light.
The 1%
The average person has no shot of making it to this rank. Let me say that again. The average person has no shot at making it to this stage in their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career. You do not make it to this rank by being average, you have to rise to the occasion and become a whole new person. That person always ends up above average. This is not to say that if you start average that you cannot become above average because that is what it is going to take.
Sacrifice, dedication, hard work, and investing into yourself are going to be necessary if you ever want to reach this level of mastery. These are things that the average person just won’t do.
Do you want to be above average? Not just in the BJJ world but in real life. Aspiring to make it to this stage in jiu-jitsu will force you to the route of becoming the best version of yourself.
When you arrive, you are truly in the top 1% of humans.
Qualities of a Black Belt
Every black belt we have met has similar qualities. They are steadfast leaders and exceptional human beings. The character qualities that these people emulate should be held to the highest degree because they all possess something uniquely great.
- Responsible
- Care about the things they do
- Dedicated
- Leader
- Set a good example for others
- Respectable
What Does it Mean?
Getting your black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a symbol of power, skill, knowledge, technique, speed, control, and accuracy. A true black belt amasses an expert level of understanding regardless of the discipline that they choose. Teaching is a skill that most black belts possess, they keep the art form alive by teaching others their knowledge about the sport and sharing passion.
The black belt is a milestone that honestly has a meaning of its own. To each person it means something different but in its purest form this is a sign of real mastery over a craft that is not easily mastered.
A black belt is the representation of the sport of jiu-jitsu. This is a big responsibility to carry on your shoulders but it is one that is accepted by everyone who gets to this level. You will not make it here without dedication to yourself and this sport. Unreal levels of discipline are needed and the pursuit of going for this belt will ultimately make you a completely different human being. We hope to see you make it here, this is a massive accomplishment that we hope to attain ourselves one day.
Happy Rolling
