Carlinhos and three more red-and-black belts at 2010 Worlds. Photo: Ivan Trindade
After wrapping up the 15th Jiu-Jitsu World Championship last Sunday the 6th, Carlos Gracie Jr planned to head back to Rio de Janeiro from California.
Before the trip GRACIEMAG.com caught up with the founder of Gracie Barra to pick his brain on the level of the event, the promotion of three new red-and-black belts, and the performances of nephew Roger and son Kayron. Check out part of his analysis.
Roger and third absolute title
“Once again Roger demonstrated the effectiveness of simple Jiu-Jitsu, and he deserved the absolute title. For his having fought at Strikeforce just a few days earlier, it was a sign that this phantom of the transition from MMA to sport Jiu-Jitsu is not as insurmountable as it seemed, so long as you have a good grasp of Jiu-Jitsu’s basics.
Standouts of Worlds 2010
“I liked a lot of the matches, and a lot of the competitors. The black belt champions were out of this world, but with a view from the stands one also notices how there are some really good fighters who don’t necessarily make for good matches. There are several reasons for this: the guy’s game is too tight, the opponent doesn’t move either, the guys don’t take risks – so the fight ends up stagnant; there’s none of that back-and-forth action that brings the fans to their feet.
That’s why – regardless of whether they win or lose – Marcelo Garcia, Roger, Kron, Kayron and others appeal to the public, since their matches are fun, you can see something you’ve never seen before at any moment, they rally. I liked Kayron’s matches for that reason.
Tributes
“Professors Romero Jacaré, Maurição Gomes and Sergio Penha had already put in for a promotion to red-and-black belt with the IBJJF. All it takes is making it to 31 years as a black belt, and being able to prove it to the federation.
So we felt it would be cool to hold a tribute to them during the event. The IBJJF delivered a certificate to the three of them, authorizing use of the belt. But the one who delivers the actual belt is their master, or a student in the absence of such a master.
Multiplying numbers of red-and-black belts
“With every Worlds we become more and more predisposed to carrying out such tributes, and we take the opportunity to make clear the criteria that regulates Jiu-Jitsu and promotion to the red-and-black belt. There are a lot of folks out there tying a red-and-black belt around their waists with less than 20 years as a black belt, some with even less than ten. There’s no way for us to control that, but we will always follow and reinforce the universal rule instituted by our grandmasters. So anyone who can prove to the IBJJF they have been a black belt for 31 years will have their rank certified. All the teacher needs to do is show interest and seek out the Federation.”