First degree black belt
3 years ago yesterday I received my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt from my friend & Professor Daniel Cherubin, after 10 years of training, competition, coaching & operating Trojan Academy.
I first heard about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from UFC 001 when Royce Gracie tore apart every other martial art.
At that point I was around 17 years, homeless, broke & sick from alcohol & drug abuse.
I used to watch the UFC thinking how amazing it would be to achieve a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.
I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the year 2000 in Mildura, Victoria. But at that time I was also drawn to bodybuilding as I was physically weak.
I put Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on hold for 7 years while I became, Mr Tasmania, Mr Australia & placed 5th in the Mr Universe in Northeim Germany (A feat that still blows my mind to this day).
I returned to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2008 & havn’t stopped since. Becoming a state, national & international champion. Beating Craig Jones in 2013 via ankle lock, to take the Gold the IBJJF Melbourne international.
So here I am at age 40😳
Surprisingly still alive & doing a million times better in life that I was ever told I would.
Numerous doctors told me at age 17/18 I would be dead or in jail soon enough.
But here I am healthy & have never seen the inside of a jail cell.
Instead I am the owner, operator & head coach of Tasmania’s Trojan Academy. We teach children, teens & adults self defence & of course competition Jiu Jitsu.
I would like to also take this chance to offer some advice for anyone out there especially youth who are stuck in a cycle or looking at a life change.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a life changer. I garuntee that once you start it, it is hard to stop. In no time at all you will have super powers. That’s a promise.
If you are feeling stuck in life… I urge you to give it a try. It changed/saved my life.
This is where you will find me😎
https://trojanacademy.com.au/free-trial/
The reason being a black belt for 3 years matters is that I am now eligible for my ‘first degree black belt’.
In Brazilian the ranking system works like this..
White
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black
Black + 3 years (1st degree) Me🥳
Black + 6 years (2nd degree)
Black + 9 years (3rd degree)
Etc
Thank you such to everyone that been part of my journey. Trust me when I say this.. I only getting started & in 2022 Trojan Academy will be moving into an amazing new space! Stay tuned!
Darran Petty🖤😎
