On May 31, 2022, I was recognized by the IBJJF as a Black Belt, 3rd Degree. Today, June 11, 2022, I received my IBJJF Black Belt Certificate, 3rd Degree, in the mail and hung it on the wall at the Academy. Of this accomplishment I am very proud. It means that I have successfully completed the IBJJF’s Rules Seminar, the IBJJF’s SafeSport Training, passed the IBJJF Mandated Background Check, and that I have been actively participating in the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a Black Belt for no less than 9 years. As a result, the athletes who I promote to the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will have their rank fully recognized by the IBJJF, even in circumstances under which “Provisional Graduation” would otherwise be required under Article 7 of the IBJJF’s Graduation System. No small accomplishment. Thank you to all those who have walked all or even part of this path with me. It has been my life’s work since I opened the Academy in 2009. Since that date, with the assistance of our Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Satori instructors, I have trained six IBJJF World Champions, two IBJJF Pan Jiu Jitsu Champions, as well as numerous Fight To Win, Grappling Industries, and NAGA Champions. I could not have achieved this milestone without the assistance of many. I look forward to CBJJS continuing to thrive in the coming years…which is to say thank you to my Professor, David Ruiz, for the gift of Jiu Jitsu; thank you to Professor Teri Stewart for her unwavering support and assistance in establishing and running the Academy since its inception (including her refusal to panic when I left my law firm job of 11 years to embark on my uncertain pursuit of establishing a Jiu Jitsu academy in north Denver); thank you to Professor Don Westman for beginning with and remaining with CBJJS since he undertook his Jiu Jitsu journey, becoming our Champion and my first Jiu Jitsu Black Belt; and thank to all of the athletes that have trained through the years, and who currently train, at CBJJS. Brilliant! The future looks bright and full of promise for certain. Thank you!
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WALKED ALL OR EVEN PART OF THIS PATH WITH ME. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:
MY PROFESSOR – DAVID RUIZ
PROFESSOR TERI STEWART
PROFESSOR “DOOMSDAY” DON WESTMAN
Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Satori – CBJJS – Excellent Instruction – BJJ – MMA – Martial Arts – Self Defense – Fitness – Community – Fun – Central Park – Denver – Aurora – Jiu Jitsu Colorado
