Alex Awarded Black Belt
Long time training partner and perpetual antagonist Alex earned his black belt today. Alex was a white belt when I first met him in 2012. He allegedly started 6 months ahead of me. And there hasn’t been a training session he hasn’t been killing me on the mats. I’ve been calling him “the Wolverine” though he’s more of an academic like “Beast”, one of the smarter guys I know.
I fell off the jits wagon for a couple of years because of engineering school and later working in Newfoundland. When i cam back Alex was a brown belt.
For the last four years Alex taught many of classes that I attended and laid the smack down at open rolls. We were all pretty much in awe of his ability, a lethal combination of ferocity and technicality. He’s also a terrific teacher with a commanding presence. He has since gone to open his own gym with his famous cousin, the mighty TJ Grant. So I don’t get beat up by him as much these days. Except occasionally at his open mats.
It’s awesome to see a friend get his black belt and be recognized for a level of mastery. Mostly because that’s a level I aspire to and also it’s great to see someone achieve sustained success.
Alex doesn’t seem invincible to me anymore as a purple belt but I still wouldn’t bet against him in a death match. My perspective now is he has more mat time solving bio-mechanical riddles under pressure. It seems like jits is an accumulation of tactics and techniques, and when you’re a blue belt you still don’t know much compared to a black belt. So it’s a change of context and each person travels their own path. Alex certainly knows a lot about jiujitsu, including the obnoxious worm guard.
I’m more focused on defeating similar ranked guys in tournaments than going hard after black belts. I like to respect higher belts, give em hard time, try to score against them but it’s more about learning rolling with the big dogs.
P.S. Shout out to Cam Daniels who also got his black belt, a cool guy and killer on the mats. I don’t know Cam as well but last time I rolled with him he tapped me at least 3 times.
Shine on you crazy Diamonds!
💎
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