2017 December Promotion Updates
Promotion ceremonies will become the new norm at Gracie Gym. In the past, belts were given during regular classes to students ready for promotion. Two of our staff brown belts graduated to black belts this December. Our first promotion occurred on December 6, and the last on December 21, with the remaining students and staff from all three locations.
We started out December with a seminar on December 6 with Professor Rodrigo Clark from Gracie Barra Santa Barbara. Professor Ighor started his career in BJJ under Professor Rodrigo in 2009. The event culminated with Professor Alex and Professor Rodrigo promoting Ighor to black belt. Professor Ighor joined our staff in 2015 as a brown belt, and leads our Kids Programs in Plano.
As with traditional and authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu promotion ceremonies, the newly crowned Professor had to go thru the famous ‘corredor’. This is where all students form a tunnel or corridor and the promoted student must run thru, after taking off the Gi top protection. As the promoted student runs thru, the corridor becomes alive with other students who have their own belts in hand, and ‘whip’ them. While this sounds like a savage ceremony, it is all done in good spirit. Before running thru, we remind those that hold a belt in hand, that retaliation on hard slaps will come on the mat. The promoted student will be there to roll with them in class that week. That usually keeps everyone in check. See below the famous ‘corredor’ for Professor Ighor.
On December 21, we welcomed all three gyms. One brown, 2 purple and 7 blue belts were awarded, along with many stripes. Our staff brown belt Edmaicon was promoted to black belt by Professor Alex Faria. Professor Edmaicon joined our family as a brown belt shortly after receiving bronze at Worlds in 2016. Most students, adults and kids alike know him as an avid competitor. His black belt marks a new phase in his career. He loses his points ranking and start points as a black belt. He will start training MMA as well. Watch for more updates on his new journey.
Additional belts awarded during the evening:
Brown Belt – Colin Pierce
Purple Belts – Alex ‘Alexao’ Pires, and Lindsey ‘Megaton’ Lockerman
Blue Belts – Afra Nabard, Brett Phillips, Farzad Vahid, Heidi Smith, Jin Yim, Mike Ford 1, Skye
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