Prof Shane Carr receives black belt

The first South African to obtain a black belt directly from Carlos Gracie Jr, a Brazilian 8th-degree coral belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and instructor is Alberton’s Prof Shane Carr.

In November 2022, Carr travelled to the Gracie Barra World Summit which was held for the first time in Brazil.

The world summit brought some of Brazilian jiu-jitu’s big names to the country from all over the world such as professors Braulo and Victor Estima, Flavio Almeida, Darculino, Bianca Andrade, master Carlos Liberi and master Carlos Gracie Jnr to name a few.

“The summit ran over three days covering aspects from growth of the brand to seminars held by some of the top professors all culminating in the final event, which was the black belt ceremony. Some current professors were awarded their degrees and nine new black belts from across the globe were awarded,” said Carr.

Gracie Barra Alberton (formerly Valhalla MMA and Fitness Centre) congratulated Carr on his achievement.

His life has been dedicated to martial arts and jiu-jitsu. He is currently Alberton’s only Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
Gracie Barra Alberton is his home he is supported by a strong team of coaches who are licensed and trained under the Gracie Barra Institute.

If you would like to start your journey or get your children involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu then head down to Gracie Barra Alberton in Alberton North or contact Carr on 083 722 2704 or send an email to shane@graciebarraalberton.co.za or visit their website www.graciebarraalberton.co.za

DID YOU KNOW?

• A coach is someone who has a blue, purple or brown belt.

• A professor is someone with a black belt.

• A master is someone with a black and a red belt.

Gradings

• White belt: everyone starts at this level

• Blue belt: must be at least 16. Begins to command the basics.

• Purple belt: command of the basics and developing options on offence.

• Brown belt: multidimensional game and teacher.

• Black belt: a very high level of technical, tactical and mental understanding of the sport.

• Beyond the black belt: when a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt reaches the seventh degree he is awarded an alternating red and black (also called coral) belt. They are generally considered practitioners who have made a great impact on the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and are often called masters.

• Red belt: in the Gracie System the red belt is only reserved for those whose influence and fame take them to the pinnacle of the art. It is awarded instead of a ninth and tenth-degree black belt. Red belts are often addressed by the title of grandmaster.