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.
