Rickson Gracie, a prominent figure in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, was promoted to red belt in July 2017 by his brother, Rorion Gracie. However, he chose not to wear the red belt, expressing concerns about the promotion’s timing and adherence to traditional guidelines. According to established norms, achieving a red belt typically requires a practitioner to hold a black belt for 45 years. Rickson, who received his black belt in 1977, believed he was five years shy of this milestone at the time of his promotion. He emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent standards within the jiu-jitsu community and felt that accepting the red belt prematurely could undermine these principles. Consequently, he continued to wear his coral belt, aligning with his commitment to tradition and the integrity of the art.
