That's really easy to say when you're going to be the 50 year old black black belt with 30 years of experience competing against the new black belt with 10 years. Regardless of what you think, all black belts are not the same.

I managed to compete last weekend at a small, local tournament in Guadeloupe. While the level was not very high, at least I got a few matches and it was a fun trip with my friends/students. Also, very importantly, it's always a big inspiration for a team when the coach is competing. I'll keep doing it at every chance I get, as long as I train Jiu Jitsu (knowing that it won't be many chances).

My first match as a black belt... I went against a whitebelt... was physically intense, got safe win on points. In my 2nd match I faced a purple...and lost on points...

Goddammit. You're competing again. My goal has been to have more jiujitsu matches logged here than you (currently behind by 13!) before I retire from competition but now it seems the retirement is not coming any time soon. :( Anyway, I'm coming for it, even though you artificially pump up your Beltchecker comp record by including whatever 'Irish Collar and Elbow friendly matches' and vale tudo and who knows what! :D

I agree with the others that say life priorities have changed by the time people reach black belt and that you need to go to a more reputable organization for matches. Most people that are still competing at black belt have done their time at the lesser organizations and have decided it isn't worth it to go to those. The drama and lack of professionalism they often display just isn't something they want to deal with. Another thing is the disparity of experience in black belt divisions. If I ever get my black belt, I'll probably be at least 50 years old with 11 years of grappling experience when it happens. If I were to sign up to compete at that time I could easily be competing with another 50 year old black belt that has 30 years of grappling experience. We would never expect a blue belt to compete with a brown belt, but we expect that exact thing in the black belt divisions. A lot of people look at that situation and don't want to mess with it.

You should look at it from another angle - you have maybe 15 years worth of BJJ injuries and strain and psychological fatigue and boredom while they have 30. ;)

30 years of accumulated injuries definite counts for something :D

Also, just throwing it in here: We're hosting a tiny competition in Saint Barth on June 25th for the 10-year anniversary of our club. I will be honored to compete against anyone who steps foot on the island, so come on over! :) Can help with accommodation etc. for the weekend. https://smoothcomp.com/en[...]event/7215

Hi, I was looking on smoothcomp, to find good Black belt competitions not to far, like 2hours plane, but saddly it seems that People stop compete when they archive the Black belt, in Belgium i think we have maybe around 200 Black belt in BJJ but when you look at the competitions only a few take part....and it seems to be the same in other countries, do you feel the same? Is it about reputation or because of age or injuries ?

I'm not saying they're the same, I'm saying it's the game. It can't really be any different. Just gotta suck it up and compete anyway. And it's not like people get incrementally better by every year they train and those who trained longer consistently wins more often. That's simply not the case. I've been a black belt for 10+ years and many brand new black belts will probably beat me today on athleticism, more modern strategies, different training environments/volume etc. There's a reason why the average age of almost every major sports league is 23 years. They don't lose their jobs to those with '30 years of experience' - in fact, it's the other way around. But if you only want to compete if your opponents have no advantages over you, then you probably shouldn't compete at all, anyway. There's more to it than win/lose :)

I do think there's a fair point to be made that at some point, life just happens and it's very few people who can keep competing forever. In my own career, I competed quite intensely in my 20s and up through my early 30s at all colored belts. This was 10+ years of active competing. Then comes kids, career and life and it's simply not a priority any more to keep spending money and time on it. I don't think I'm the only one with a story like this. Most people start young with plenty of time and energy for it. Eventually after approximately 12 years, 2 months and 7 days (according to Beltchecker statistics), they become black belts, but at that point, how many of them are in the same situation to keep competing? It's only a fraction of people who become Jiu Jitsu instructors as a profession and does nothing else in their life. I would guess the vast majority at that point are injured and busy with other things. I love competing and I will do it at every opportunity I get. It's just not a priority for me in life anymore.

my first match as a black belt, i was like 4 month graduated black belt, i had to face Omar Salum, a 5th degree black belt under Royler Gracie who was black belt world champion the exact same year i start to train jiujitsu..... in black belt, you enter in deep water....

I am a 59 year old Black Belt and competed yesterday in a pro show against a 30 year old Black Belt.. Why compete if it isn't to test yourself and see what you need to work on. I have always felt you lead from the front and as a teacher it keeps my game relevant..