I've been lurking here on the forum for a long time, my profile date says 2001, but I believe I might have been here even longer. Any how, I thought I'd share one of the most special moment I've had in my life.
After a long journey, I received my black belt from Marcelo Perdomo, Brazilian Top Team, on Saturday December 15th. It was one of the best day of my life. I took the long route, been training since '97 or '98 (according to my wife, my memory is shot), took about a 3 year layoff at one point, but have been training consistently, 4-6 days a week, sometimes twice a day) since joining up with BTT Long Beach about 5 years ago. I came to Marcelo as a blue belt, and it feels good to be someone he helped develop, all the way up to Black.
Here is a link to a little video, if someone could embed it, that would be awesome:
https://vimeo.com/55736550
T
That is awesome - congrats!
Congratulations!
Thank you T-Ham for embedding the video, I really appreciate it. It was an overwhelming day for me. Its even sweeter since the journey took me so long & Marcelo doesn't just hand out belts....I think I'm only the 4th BB he promoted (Brandon Dabu, John Orr, & Franklin Quenga preceed me), besides a couple other that came in as brown belts.
TV- besides the birth of my children, if I ever get my black belt, it will be my greatest achievement in life!
Kying418, in front of my family (they were there, Marcelo called them, I thought they came to drop off the medals we were suppose to bring for photos, which I forgot the medals at home...., the promotion to BB was a surprise to me), I told everyone it was one of the best day of my life. But, you know, it may be THE best day of my life, LOL.
very cool! congrats.
Huge congratulations! 
Awesome! Congrats 
congratulations, what an achievement
Congrats.. BTT was tearing it up at the fall Open!!
bgup619, thanks for noticing, BTT did tear it up at the International Fall Open. We took first place as a team. We had lots of guys place and many took gold. Marcelo Perdomo took gold at BB...John Orr took gold at BB. Mike Lansang brown belt gold.... Omar Sabha brown belt gold...I fortunately took gold at brown belt senior 2 Feather. I actually had to go up 2 weight class and down an age, no light old dudes, ha ha.
Congrats!!!
congrats!
Nice
congratulations - fantastic video and really glad your family got to share in the experience with you
Thanks everyone! I read on here all the time, guys asking if they are too old to start in their 30's.... guys wondering if they can compete after they hit 40.... well, I'm a testament to all that. I didn't start BJJ until in my 30's. I just got my BB at 47. At 47 I still compete, I pick the bigger IBJJF events, I don't tend to do the little comps any more, but I try to compete 4 times a year. I'm not a gifted athlete, just a guy... but I do work hard at it, I've been very consistent the last 5 years, I step up for my team...I'm small, light and older....If I can do it, so can anyone else, but it does take "maturity" and perserverence.... It's a journey, not a race. Hope that helps inspire others.
congrats!
Awesome!!! Congratulations!