2-STRIPES ON BROWN BELT

I am now a 2-stripe brown belt in BJJ. I am officially halfway between a brown belt and black belt. I guess that makes me a "purple belt" among other brown belts. More improvements are needed, so wish me luck and help me along this path.

THREE MORE MAKE IT TO YONKYU

Greg DiFranza promoted three more people from our club to yonkyu in judo. David Sullins, Jason Compton, and Ethan Edwards all received their promotions this past Saturday, 21 May (though an injured Jason Compton sat at home contemplating life).

Each man has made it to blue belt in BJJ and yonkyu (green belt for us) in judo.

GREG DIFRANZA = US NATIONAL CHAMPION

On 30 April, our judo coach, Dr. Greg DiFranza, won another national championship in his age/weight category (M5/+100kg) at the US Senior Nationals (a USA judo sponsored event).

I can't say that we are surprised, though we are certainly excited and pleased. Way to go, Greg!

NICHOLAS NIX = BJJ PURPLE BELT

After a little "seasoning" as a 4-stripe blue belt, Nicholas Nix earned the coveted BJJ purple belt directly from Charles Dos Anjos on 23 April.

The purple belt, while a royal color, is the worst belt to be in BJJ since the white and blue belts do everything they can to beat you, and the black and brown belts do not take it easy on you.

Good job and good luck.

ETHAN EDWARDS = BJJ BLUE BELT

I've been lax on announcing what has been going on. Ethan Edwards earned his blue belt on April 16. Good job to Ethan.

Josh's First Judo Class

This past Saturday (9 April) was my son's first judo class. We're still testing it out to see if he really wants to do it before I purchase a gi for him.

YONKYU!!

It is official and complete with documentation. Greg DiFranza promoted me to yonkyu in judo this past week (Saturday, 9 April). It doesn't mean that I am an expert (far from it), but it does mean that I get to wear a cool green belt in judo now.

Simultaneously, Greg promoted Marcus Clark to gokyu. In fact, I gave Marcus my yellow belt at the end of the class. He put it on before he left the academy.

Congratulations to Marcus on his promotion.