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SJJIF Re-Certification
3 year(s) ago • 5089 views • 2 replies
EBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Hi Everyone,
My last formal promotion was for my second degree at black belt under Professor Clark Gracie. I previously earned my black belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. I was an instructor at one of Clark's affiliate schools for several years and was directly promoted by him for my 1st and 2nd degrees. During the pandemic our school permanently shut down, but I eventually started my own school afterward. I didn't renew my IBJJF membership, but have maintained my membership with the SJJIF as a 2nd degree black belt. Now that I'm verified for the 3rd degree under Beltchecker, and being an academy owner, I'm interested in updating my SJJIF profile and renewing my membership for the year. The renewal process asks for my instructor; however, I'm no longer affiliated under Gracie Barra or Clark Gracie and am running an independent academy. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? What do professors no longer under associations or the tutelage of a higher instructor do in this situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
My last formal promotion was for my second degree at black belt under Professor Clark Gracie. I previously earned my black belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. I was an instructor at one of Clark's affiliate schools for several years and was directly promoted by him for my 1st and 2nd degrees. During the pandemic our school permanently shut down, but I eventually started my own school afterward. I didn't renew my IBJJF membership, but have maintained my membership with the SJJIF as a 2nd degree black belt. Now that I'm verified for the 3rd degree under Beltchecker, and being an academy owner, I'm interested in updating my SJJIF profile and renewing my membership for the year. The renewal process asks for my instructor; however, I'm no longer affiliated under Gracie Barra or Clark Gracie and am running an independent academy. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? What do professors no longer under associations or the tutelage of a higher instructor do in this situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
LCBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Have you tried reaching out to the the last person or association you were under and ask to sign? I'm sure they're willing to help you out so long as no bridges were burn.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
EEugeneOP
Black belt 3rd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I haven't reached out. I never formally left Clark's affiliation after our school shut down during COVID, but when I opened my own academy, I did tell him that I'd go about it independently (he originally asked me to join his Gracie Allegiance affiliation when I first started up). There were no bridges burned... We're still friends and stay in touch from time to time; however, I'm really no longer under his tutelage. Clark is also technically a third degree black belt, the same as me, so I'm not sure how that would even work. What do people do if their former instructor dies or bad blood causes a split? What do the professors of the unaffiliated schools out there do? I know the IBJJF eventually issues self-grading, but I left them due to the ridiculously high fees for everything. The entire system is disjointed and broken... According to the IBJJF, I'm just a black belt... according to the SJJIF, I'm a 2nd degree black belt... and according to Beltchecker, I'm a 3rd degree black belt! I've trained, competed, and taught BJJ for about 18 years (nearly 10 of them as a black belt)!
