THE THICK BLUE LINE

When I first got my blue belt, I remember feeling like a complete poser. The sheer weight of my own expectations and preconceived notions was so intense, it was crazy. I felt really nervous, like a fraud waiting to be found out. It took me a while just to get used to holding it in my hand, never mind wearing it.

The thing that freaked me out the most was in my gym, there seems to be this thing where someone gets their blue, then either stops training or takes a sabbatical. I was so afraid that would be me as well. Over time, though, I slowly got used to it. I didn't stop training, in fact I started to enjoy it more.

So I doubt I'll be winning the Mundials anytime soon, but at least I don't beat myself up about it.

Tonight at the end of class, Patrick, Rizan and Wee Li got their blues. I'm really happy for them and I'm even happier that I get to train with them. For as long as they've been with the gym they've been really dedicated to BJJ and I'm proud just to be associated with them. Over the past two years they've come a long way, and they've still got a lot of potential, just waiting to be realised.

In terms of BJJ, or martial arts for that matter, today may just have been the best, most fulfilling day of my life. It was so cool to see these guys step up to take their belts (and beatings!), having watched them progress from the day they walked on the mats for the first time. I actually got in my car and started to drive home before realising that I was still wearing my rashguard and kneepads!

Plus, Vince got in his new BJJ T-shirts today, they look really sweet and I think I may be persuaded to buy a number for myself.

So congratulations to the new blues - well done and well deserved, boys. I really hope you stick around and see what happens, because it really just gets better from here. I promise.

On a side note, I also got graded today - as did Mike - to a blue with one stripe.

So that was pretty nice, too.