How so little can mean so much

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 5:26pm

I ordered a new belt last week, a cheap one. Purely because I wanted a spare to live in my bag in case I forgot my belt or needed to loan one to someone.

What was remarkable about this purchase?

Ostensibly nothing, but as I was holding it in my hands I realised just how much I would have given to be the rightful owner of one of these only a year or two ago. And how much it means to the hundreds of thousands if not millions of kyu grade Judoka diligently practicing across the globe.

My purchase? A Judo black belt.

It means so much to us on the way up, through the kyu grades. Once we’re there it means so much less, but simultaneously so much more. As those of us who don it suddenly realise the responsibility placed upon not only in terms of expectation of physical ability, but also wider expectations from ordinary people. And it’s only a few months or a year into the ranks of the dan grades, that we realise how little we know and how much we have to learn. I’m sure this is true for those who achieve black belts in BJJ, Kyokushin and other martial arts.

There isn’t really any point to this, but if anyone takes anything away from this it is that the responsibilities that are placed on you as a black belt and the insignificance of the kyu grades once viewed from the comfortable lofty heights of the Yudanshakai need to be put into perspective.

However, to those yet to be admitted to the Yudanshakai, those kyu grades are vitally important and rightly so. So if you’re working your way up through the ranks, then keep on going, because you can do it. You can get that black belt if you want to all it takes is hard work and dedicaton.

Just be aware, once you get there it’s something of a poison chalice.

**Kovacs** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:03pm

Seeing as you're the only judoka blackbelt I know bar the senior grades in my club and I don't hve interweb access to them I way as well ask.... Purely out of interest once you've achieved a dan grade do you have to retake every couple of years to keep the belt or is it 'for life'?.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:19pm

Once you have a dan grade from a proper Judo org you have it for life. One of the guys who was on my promotion committee for my dan grade had been a 1st dan for about 30 years and I know guys who were Olympic alternates who have been 3rd dans for 30 years.

I even know one guy, who still technically isn't a dan grade and is still officially a 1st kyu despite having dominated the national champs for years and won a European bronze medal and who despite retiring still wears a black belt, lol.

***Tranquil Suit*** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:28pm

~~Gangsta~~ Blackbelt for life yo :yaoming:

**diducdat?** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:28pm

Do you think even I can have a black belt some day?

**Kovacs** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:31pm

So do you thinks it's just his personal choice not to carry on?

Not that it really matters, Judo is the first style I've ever taken which has a proper grading system so it's a mindset that's new to me and I'm trying to adjust to it or atleast get some understanding of it. It's actually refreshing to see a kind of 'ladder' in a style I'm
partaking in.

EDIT: Woah, woah, hold up. I'm not 'can Eye haz teh blakk belt' hunting. It's just new to me.

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:53pm

Originally Posted by judoka_uk

I ordered a new belt last week, a cheap one. Purely because I wanted a spare to live in my bag in case I forgot my belt or needed to loan one to someone.

What was remarkable about this purchase?

Ostensibly nothing, but as I was holding it in my hands I realised just how much I would have given to be the rightful owner of one of these only a year or two ago. And how much it means to the hundreds of thousands if not millions of kyu grade Judoka diligently practicing across the globe.

My purchase? A Judo black belt.

Could you tell us a bit about the security measures that the shop has in place to prevent people like me from just going in and buying a black belt?

**Kovacs** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 6:59pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Could you tell us a bit about the security measures that the shop has in place to prevent people like me from just going in and buying a black belt?

It's strong. A few years ago I went to a party as sensai John Creese from Karate Kid and I nearly got in a fight for buying a black belt.

**The_Beak** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 9:19pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Could you tell us a bit about the security measures that the shop has in place to prevent people like me from just going in and buying a black belt?

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/ma...lack_Belt.aspx

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 4/15/2011 9:27pm

Yeh, but you've got to fax them a letter of authority from your Master, also signed by the Grandmaster and bearing the stamp of the Supreme Grandmaster's office before they'll complete your order, right?

Rite?