In a strongly worded social media post, renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and instructor Tom DeBlass took aim at the controversial practice of “gauntlets” during belt promotions, calling it “the most idiotic sh*t ever.”
The gauntlet, a tradition where newly promoted students must walk between two lines of practitioners who strike them with belts, has been a contentious topic in the BJJ community. The practice reportedly originated in California during the 1990s at the Machado Jiu-Jitsu Academy through Chris Haueter, one of the first non-Brazilian black belts in the sport.
A BJJ academy recently stirred controversy by replacing the traditional belt-whipping gauntlet with a full-contact striking exchange during promotions. This shift aligns with ongoing debates over BJJ’s relevance in self-defense, with figures like Rickson and Royce Gracie criticizing sport-focused competition for deviating from the art’s martial roots. While some, like Carlos Gracie Jr., argue sport and self-defense are intertwined, others, including Guro Ilan Srulovicz, challenge BJJ’s dominance, favoring Judo or wrestling for real-world scenarios. The academy’s decision highlights the evolving identity of BJJ and its struggle to balance sport, tradition, and practical effectiveness.
“For those of you who aren’t familiar, good,” DeBlass wrote, before explaining the ritual. “It’s when someone gets promoted, they take their gi top off and everyone in the school whips the persons back as they walk down.”
The outspoken instructor emphasized that promotion ceremonies should be celebratory rather than punitive. “When my student or teammate gets promoted, I want to hug them, not beat their a$$ with a belt,” he stated.
DeBlass’s comments come at a time when the tradition continues to be practiced in some academies. Recently, UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov participated in the gauntlet after receiving his black belt from professors Marcelo Nunes and Ronny Markes in December 2023.
The debate around gauntlets reflects a broader discussion within the BJJ community about maintaining traditions versus evolving training practices. As more prominent voices like DeBlass speak out against such customs, it may influence how future generations approach belt promotion ceremonies.
