2008 Hoosie Open Small Axe Competitors L to R: Walter, Bryan Neal (1st Place), Justin (Second Place), Tim Sledd (Third Place), Doug Bailey, Dan Wiggins, Mike (Third Place), Lain Stocke (Second Place), Tyler Stocke (1st Place)
Today, Professor Caique promoted 4 guys to blue belt. Dan Wiggins, Josh Britt, Jeremiah Deckard, and David Yoshida made the leap out of their white belts and into the scary realm of Faixa Azul (blue belt). Each of these guys has trained hard, focused on the criteria, proven leadership ability, and deserved this for several months. I am very proud of them and it brings me great joy to see them wearing the blue belt.
(Dan Wiggins = Blue Belt!)
(Jeremiah Deckard = Blue Belt!)
(David “High-speed” Yoshida = Blue Belt!)
(Josh Britt = Blue Belt!)
My purple belt days are behind me now too! I was promoted to Brown Belt (faixa marrom). I was explaining to someone the other day that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt ranking and progression is similar to climbing a ladder to a diving board. White to blue, blue to purple, and purple to brown are steps up the ladder. Once you are a brown belt you are standing on the diving board. It is probably the most fun place because your skills are sharp but the expectations are not that of a black belt. However, a brown belt must be in true preparation because once he leaves the board, he jumps into a pool of black belts. The pool will have not only this new born black, but master black belts… exciting but the measuring stick changes from one of a few peers to the truly elite.
So, I take one step off the ladder and onto the board. I promise myself that I will enjoy this belt, savor the process of developing into a BJJ teacher, practitioner and competitor worthy of attaining the ability and permission to dive from this platform. I can comfortably say that I have some years of tough work ahead of me before that is a real possiblity, and as I sit here writing this, it is safe to say I am fine with that!
Even though I am color blind, I had to make sure it was brown!
Professor Caique, Me, Greg Lucas
I was going to try and thank those responsible for helping me attain this belt promotion. Then I realized that it was ‘98 when I first put on a Jiu Jitsu uniform and every roll has counted. So rather than list and miss all those people, I will just say thanks. Those that invested sweat, blood, beatings, and time in and on me will know who they are and the gratitude I have for their help.
-Tim