To be honest I always saw it as more of an honorary grade the same way Stallone is in the boxing hall of fame or how chuck Norris is a honorary Texas ranger because of his tv show
http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au.../elvis-sept-9-1974-karate-7th-certificate.jpg Here is his 8th dan dated 1 month after his 7th dan in kenpo.
Just a curiosity question... Does Elvis having an inflated rank discredit anyone else's rank? Does Elvis having a legitimate rank boost anyone else's? I just realized something while typing this... As I stated earlier (as did Juanny), Dolph Lundgren was a green belt while he was beating black belts in Kyokushin championships. As luck would have it, I'm currently a green belt too. That makes me suuuch a badass. Don't mess with me; I'm the same rank Dolph was when he was beating down black belts. I'm going to turn down all future promotions because that'll take away my mojo.
When Bill Wallace was a competitive kickboxer, he always wore his black belt in the ring. The next PKA middleweight champion never did as he was only a blue belt in jiu jitsu. Managed to hold the belt for the next 15 years despite never having a black belt. It wasn't until 2008 that my instructor got his black belt(in jiu jitsu). Not everyone is Dolph Lundgren, or Jean-Yves Theriault. They both prove it is the man, not the belt to worry about.
You know, you're really not helping my cause here. Lundgren was a green belt, and I'm a badass because I'm the same rank he was. Let a guy dream, will you?
To answer your question. Yes pretty much. Although I would narrow that down to the instructor or the club. Not the system. So you have a belt the way that is awarded is pretty important. If you got it from a belt mill instructor then that is relevant.
I'm not sure one outlier (especially an outlier who is also a celebrity) upsets the whole legitimacy of a grading system, any more than one good martial artist can provide legitimacy to a grading system (or art, for that matter).
Hey,hey man, I , I didn't mean anything by it, it was just a joke. Wasn't trying to offend a badass mother trucker like you.
Ok. What would be the minimum number of free belts before you would feel a bit ripped off actually having to earn yoirs.
You people in here talking like this are not martial artists. You need to learn some respect. Lend opinions without disrespect. Tames D, you wouldn't make a wort on Parkers dead and bloated anus.