The world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu has strict protocols around earning promotions through dedicated training and instructor approval. However, one practitioner decided to take matters into his own hands in a viral video that’s recently been making the rounds again on social media.
In the hilarious clip, the unidentified man can be seen sitting on the mats of what appears to be a BJJ academy. He starts by announcing to those gathered that he is promoting himself straight to the rank of three-stripe purple belt.
“I’ve been training really hard and I think I’m ready to go to the next level,” he states confidently.
For context, BJJ uses a belt system similar to many martial arts to denote skill levels. However there’s no single set of standardized criteria. Instead, some schools make the students pass grading tests, other make students demonstrate their abilities during competitions and live rolls and some even award promotions based on class attendance.
Self-promotion is essentially unheard of.
But this BJJ maverick wasn’t done there. After declaring his purple belt status, he goes on to announce he will also be participating in the “annual tradition” of the gauntlet.
The gauntlet is an infamous BJJ rite-of-passage where members of an academy form two parallel lines, holding out their belts horizontally to strike at the back and legs of someone walking between them. It’s meant to symbolize perseverance through adversity. The tradition dates back to one of the first non Brazilian BJJ black belts – Chris Haueter.
“And since I’m the highest person here, I guess I’m going to do it myself,” the self-promoting student laughs before preceding to whip himself repeatedly with his own belt while moving back-and-forth.
The video ends with the sound of a crowd erupting in cheers and applause as he completes the entirely self-administered gauntlet walk.
While poosibly intended as a humorous prank, the video captures the sometimes intense sense of ritual around BJJ belt promotions. It’s a living example of what martial arts can become if they don’t police themselves or maintain standards.
