Over all there seems to be a growing sentiment that many in the judo community are dissatisfied with the status quo of certain judo organizations and are seeking more authentic engagement in the sport.
Typically, a BJJ player goes to a judo coach to get better at tachi waza, his throwing skills. Shaving time, skipping rank and being allowed to “test out for a rank” isn’t creating a higher-level judoka or higher-level throwing skills. The intent behind inclusivity and reciprocity for a BJJ black belt looking to garner rank in judo should be to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for judo, not to dilute its essence, essentially watering it down.
While I see the value in bridging communities and providing pathways for BJJ practitioners, I believe that the integrity of judo is to be maintained when doing so. It’s vital to focus on the quality of education and the depth of understanding.
As a 5th degree black belt in judo who has one stripe on his BJJ white belt, I have no desire other than to earn my blue belt in Carlson Gracie BJJ. I have no desire to be fast tracked or made exception for because of a black belt rank earned in judo. Putting on a white belt is more of a mindset than anything, it means that you are willing to put the work in, willing to change the way you might do some things AND willing to learn and grow.
Publicly some who sit in position in some judo orgs have patted me on the back for what I am doing within the Judo community in the central Florida area. Privately, because I am sticking to my guns and trying to uphold the standards of judo these same people have told me that I am closed minded, unable to learn and grow and that my opinion is irrelevant. This coming from people who are more focused on a financial gain of an organization and less and less on growing judo.
There are indeed similar concerns about the disconnect between the governing bodies of judo and those within the judo communities the orgs are supposed to serve. The attitude that certain “leaders” in the organizations have is that it will all calm down and members will just learn to accept what ever “they” decide. That is a very dangerously dismissive attitude. It’s unfortunate to hear and there is a growing number of those in the judo community feel that they have been dismissed. It’s important for all voices to be heard, especially from those who care deeply about judo.
Even though BJJ is derived from judo… they went two very different and distinctive directions. For BJJ a lot of innovation in the ground game was made as the style moved forward. For Judo a lot of innovation in the stand up game was made. These innovations were to the point that they are now quite different sports and martial arts today. There are benchmarks for each belt rank in BJJ, as well as benchmarks for each belt rank in judo. When they reach those then it’s time to award the belt rank. Anything else would be akin to sandbagging.
Back in the day there wasn’t such a thing as reciprocity of BJJ rank to judo. If my BJJ history regarding Carlson Gracie BJJ serves me at one time CG senior required his BJJ black belts to go TRAIN in judo to EARN their black belts in judo. This meant going to a judo school and learning Judo. Period.
Ultimately, I have hope that we can cultivate a better environment for judo in the U.S., one that truly values it integrity, inclusivity and growth. If you’re a BJJ black belt who wants to learn judo…just put a white belt on and go learn judo. If you are a judo black belt who wants to learn BJJ put on a white belt and go learn BJJ….its that simple.
