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Fake Carlson Gracie BB? - James Nakamura in California
3 year(s) ago • 9367 views • 189 replies
JBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
A promotion history on Beltchecker claimed BB from a supposedly well known Californian Carlson Gracie BB named James Nakamura.
I can't find anything substantial whatsoever on this BB through Google, so I can't even conclude that he exists.
Moreover, Carlson Gracie made a list of everyone he had promoted to BB before he passed away. No Nakamura is on the list.
"It was designed to prevent charlatans or, as the Gracie said himself, “confused people” from using his name to promote themselves or their party. The list was released by several BJJ newspapers and other media streams at the time and it was not built by BJJ Heroes. If you believe someone you know is a Carlson black belt but he/she is not on the list, then that person is not a Carlson black belt."
https://www.bjjheroes.com[...]ie-profile
So how well known is James Nakamura in California? Has anybody met him and has he claimed Carlson lineage or another lineage? Is there a natural explanation to this confusion or is James a charlatan or "confused person"?
I can't find anything substantial whatsoever on this BB through Google, so I can't even conclude that he exists.
Moreover, Carlson Gracie made a list of everyone he had promoted to BB before he passed away. No Nakamura is on the list.
"It was designed to prevent charlatans or, as the Gracie said himself, “confused people” from using his name to promote themselves or their party. The list was released by several BJJ newspapers and other media streams at the time and it was not built by BJJ Heroes. If you believe someone you know is a Carlson black belt but he/she is not on the list, then that person is not a Carlson black belt."
https://www.bjjheroes.com[...]ie-profile
So how well known is James Nakamura in California? Has anybody met him and has he claimed Carlson lineage or another lineage? Is there a natural explanation to this confusion or is James a charlatan or "confused person"?
MGPurple beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
So this is how we’re starting the weekend 🫣
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Who is it?
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Who is the guy who claims to be Nakamura's black belt, Johan? I remember coming across that name on here. Provide the link and our torches and pitchforks will follow. For now it's -100pts for you from me. Give me the link and I'll be happy to upvote you.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Is anyone going to post the profile or just vague information?
JJohanOP
Black belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Thing is the profile has two different BB timelines. One verifiable that starts 2015, with Nic and other verifiable instructors. Would equal 2nd degree.
Second timeline starts already in 2013 and equals 3rd degree. But only has James Nakamura as promoting instructor.
Thus second degree is verifiable while third is not.
Second timeline starts already in 2013 and equals 3rd degree. But only has James Nakamura as promoting instructor.
Thus second degree is verifiable while third is not.
DP
Black belt 3rd degreePending
3 year(s) ago
The profile Johan is referring to is mine. Naka was our instructor on the Marine Corps base on Pendleton for a few years. I cant vouch to his black belt only what he told us regarding his linage. What I can tell you is his skills were 100% legit and we learned a ton from him before he moved on. Clearly he was legit enough at the time to sign off our registration with SJJIF. I wish I could reach out to him so that he could defend himself, but I had a fall out with him over a decade ago and I havent spoken to him since. I think this situation is pretty common with dudes here, but if this doesnt mesh feel free to downvote. I know im legit and so does IBJJF and SJJIF where I am easily findable as part of their registered black belt list, which is more than I can say for Johan
DP
Black belt 3rd degreePending
3 year(s) ago
I dont like being this petty but I think this proves the point that the promotion system is messy and not everyone(specially dudes in the military who move every few years) has the luxury of learning under a single person. Now as far as why James is no longer listed with SSJIF…welp, it probably the same reason beltchecker exists, he stopped paying his membership.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
The profile Johan is referring to is mine. Naka was our instructor on the Marine Corps base on Pendleton for a few years. I cant vouch to his black belt only what he told us regarding his linage. What I can tell you is his skills were 100% legit and we learned a ton from him before he moved on. Clearly he was legit enough at the time to sign off our registration with SJJIF. I wish I could reach out to him so that he could defend himself, but I had a fall out with him over a decade ago and I havent spoken to him since. I think this situation is pretty common with dudes here, but if this doesnt mesh feel free to downvote. I know im legit and so does IBJJF and SJJIF where I am easily findable as part of their registered black belt list, which is more than I can say for Johan
Thanks Carlos.
Glad you posted.
You have many well known Black Belts on here that personally vouch for your abilities.
Jay Pages and Gilbert Olivas to name a few.
Glad you posted.
You have many well known Black Belts on here that personally vouch for your abilities.
Jay Pages and Gilbert Olivas to name a few.
ARBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Holy sweet fuck...
JJohanOP
Black belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I know im legit and so does IBJJF and SJJIF where I am easily findable as part of their registered black belt list
I too know you're a legit 2:nd degree and would gladly verify it based on the 2015 BB date with Nic/Roger and IBJJF.
But you basically just now confirmed yourself that you do not know if you were a legit BB in 2012 based on IBJJF equivalent standards. That's why I advised you to go safe and claim time served degrees based on your 2015 BB promotion.
As already concluded, James Nakamura is not listed by SJJIF on their BB list. Removed after new information on his formal merits (or lack thereof?) has surfaced? None of us know before SJJIF has answered. Also, you've only provided blurry documents, making further investigation more difficult.
In my book, claiming someone with false Carlson lineage and unknown real lineage has equivalent merits and that we should take your word for it is far from the standards I personally would like to see Beltchecker uphold. And wasn't accepted by IBJJF in 2012 either. That can not be compensated by high belts vouching for you (unless they non-retroactively promoted you in 2012).
So I can't see how I could not dispute. Especially since I gave you the chance to correct before I disputed.
But you basically just now confirmed yourself that you do not know if you were a legit BB in 2012 based on IBJJF equivalent standards. That's why I advised you to go safe and claim time served degrees based on your 2015 BB promotion.
As already concluded, James Nakamura is not listed by SJJIF on their BB list. Removed after new information on his formal merits (or lack thereof?) has surfaced? None of us know before SJJIF has answered. Also, you've only provided blurry documents, making further investigation more difficult.
In my book, claiming someone with false Carlson lineage and unknown real lineage has equivalent merits and that we should take your word for it is far from the standards I personally would like to see Beltchecker uphold. And wasn't accepted by IBJJF in 2012 either. That can not be compensated by high belts vouching for you (unless they non-retroactively promoted you in 2012).
So I can't see how I could not dispute. Especially since I gave you the chance to correct before I disputed.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
ANBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I dont like being this petty but I think this proves the point that the promotion system is messy and not everyone(specially dudes in the military who move every few years) has the luxury of learning under a single person.
Exactly, being in the military was tough on continuity for me too
BABlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Just food for thought, if you are recently IBJjJF registered, you are considered provisional for 2 years and you won’t show up on a search. I don’t show up yet. BUT, if you contact him, he should be able to provide a screenshot of his approved IBJJF profile that shows provisional status…
BABlack beltVerified
DP
Black belt 3rd degreePending
JVBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
No question here. His SJJIF verified he’s a 3rd degree since 2021, his IBJJF verifies second degree since 2018. Timeline looks correct, Plenty of photo evidence, verified by reputable BBs here; I just don’t see an issue. Let’s move on.
JJohanOP
Black belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
his IBJJF verifies second degree since 2018. Timeline looks correct
No, it doesn't. SJJIF standards states at least 3 years in each degree. He was registered on SJJIF for BB with no degrees at least until Sept 2017 (see archived records on https://web.archive.org/w[...]BlackBelts ). Even if he got his 1:st degree already in Oct 2017, he would need to wait for 2:nd until Oct 2020 and third until Oct 2023.
Which frankly proves that SJJIF are not upholding their own claimed belt standards.
As if it isn't enough not upholding their own claimed belt standards by registering someone based on a promotion from a fake Carlson Gracie BB (i.e. not 2:nd degree BB).
What really matters? The real standards and circumstances of a promotion, based on hard evidence, or whether or not the SJJIF (or for that matter IBJJF) was successfully tricked into registering a promotion? Do you mean we on Beltchecker should always vote to approve all grades registered by IBJJF or SJJIF, even if we on Beltchecker have been made aware that the organisation was fooled into issuing the certificate?
Which frankly proves that SJJIF are not upholding their own claimed belt standards.
As if it isn't enough not upholding their own claimed belt standards by registering someone based on a promotion from a fake Carlson Gracie BB (i.e. not 2:nd degree BB).
What really matters? The real standards and circumstances of a promotion, based on hard evidence, or whether or not the SJJIF (or for that matter IBJJF) was successfully tricked into registering a promotion? Do you mean we on Beltchecker should always vote to approve all grades registered by IBJJF or SJJIF, even if we on Beltchecker have been made aware that the organisation was fooled into issuing the certificate?
ANBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Beltchecker participants need a degree in crime scene forensics apparently. “Searches for print duster on amazon”
MGPurple beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Beltchecker participants need a degree in crime scene forensics apparently. “Searches for print duster on amazon”
Can I release a print lifting course on BJJ Fanatics?
Edited 3 year(s) ago
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
DP
Black belt 3rd degreePending
3 year(s) ago
Yup as listed above, my blackbelt came from Naka. Nic signed off when we registered the academy and clearly thought my jits and teaching abilities were legit when he met me. Then a few years later Nic gave me my 1st degree. Pretty much all stated above.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
JJohanOP
Black belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
You claim 1:st degree 2015, but SJJIF showed you had no degree on BB at that time and Nic says you got 1:st degree from him in 2018, which we can also see on the diplomas from him and IBJJF.
So why should we trust 2015 when both organizations, diplomas as well as Nic say 2017 or later for your 1:st degree?
Also, Nic says in the chat that he didn't give you the BB - that it was an unknown prior person. Yet you claim in your Promotion history that Nic awarded you the BB in 2015. Who should we trust? You or Nic?
So why should we trust 2015 when both organizations, diplomas as well as Nic say 2017 or later for your 1:st degree?
Also, Nic says in the chat that he didn't give you the BB - that it was an unknown prior person. Yet you claim in your Promotion history that Nic awarded you the BB in 2015. Who should we trust? You or Nic?
Edited 3 year(s) ago
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
PZBlack beltVerified
