An unexpected milestone

Tony Dismukes

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Attended a Carlson Gracie Jr. seminar today and got a shock at the end when I was informed that I was being promoted to black belt in BJJ.

I honestly thought I had a couple more years before I had to worry about being promoted. I think Carlson was probably applying a curve for old guys. There were three other brown belts at the seminar who are at least as good as me who didn't get promoted - but they're all 20 years younger than I am.

Anyway, I've got some holes in my game that I thought I had time to fix before I reached black belt. Now I've got to work even harder in order to catch up to my rank. I've been training about 12 hours a week on average. I wonder if my body can handle bumping that up to 15 hours per week.

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Steve

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That is truly outstanding. Congratulations !!!


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jezr74

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Congratulations Tony, what a great milestone. Even better that you didn't see it coming. Sounds like you are harder on yourself, take it all in and enjoy the moment.
 

Tames D

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Congrats! He wouldn't have promoted you if you're not worthy of representing his art. Accept with honor and pride.
 

Tez3

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Oh wow! Congratulations and very well done. Chuffed for you!
 

jks9199

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Congrats! I suspect that you sell yourself short and more than deserved the promotion.

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kuniggety

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That's such an amazing milestone to make. You've been entrusted as an inheritor of the system. As a guy who has only been studying BJJ for 2 years, I look at your accomplishment with awe.
 

drop bear

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Yeah well done.

You can do the extra if you keep it constant. And recovery swims.
 

Danny T

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Outstanding Tony. Congratulations!! Has to be an awesome feeling. I am very impressed with your honesty with yourself as to still having some holes and that you will continue to work to better yourself. It is an ongoing process to constantly refine or polish your martial skills. Keep on going and Never give up.
 

Dirty Dog

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Congratulations, Tony. I've no doubt at all the promotion was deserved.
 

Buka

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Dude. I mean, really. How fricken' awesome is that?

As for any "curve for old guys", my guess is - Carlson knows a little bit more than you about BJJ, yes? Oh, that is just so awesome!

Congratulations, my friend. Bask, my brother, you deserve a little basking, I know it's foreign to you, but it's deserved for a bit and it's a long road. Yay, Tony!
 
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Tony Dismukes

Tony Dismukes

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Thanks everyone!

I'll probably feel better about the rank once those other brown belts I mentioned get promoted. (Carlson's words: "They're young. They've got plenty of time." My thoughts: "I'm only 50. Don't I have plenty of time? Do you know something I don't?"
 

elder999

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. (Carlson's words: "They're young. They've got plenty of time." My thoughts: "I'm only 50. Don't I have plenty of time? Do you know something I don't?"

Yep-he does. If you haven't noticed, years will go by much faster, even if they are the same 31,536,000 seconds that those young guys get....congrats again.
 

Hanzou

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Congrats Tony!

Now prepare to get your *** kicked! ;)
 

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