06/14/2025
Nueve and diez. Tonight I awarded my 9th and 10th black belts to Rey Salceda and Ralph Cody.
When someone says, ‘he’s a natural’ I think of Rey. His game is smooth, his transitions are slick, and he’s very well-rounded. Don’t get me wrong, though, the guy works just as hard as anyone and when he’s in the room, you know it’s gonna be a solid night of training. He earned this a while ago; congratulations, Rey!
Ralph is only the 5th student to go from white to black with me. He started the journey a little bit later than most, but is a testament that if you’re consistent, train hard, and just keep showing up, you can master the art. From working hard to taking risks to keeping an open mind and continuing to learn new things, Ralph is a role model to other students. Congratulations, Ralph, well-deserved.
Not to be overshadowed by the black belts, Andrew Westmoreland, Raul, and Benji earned their blue belts tonight. Jiu-jitsu is more than just techniques. It’s about being humble, taking risks, being willing to grow, and enjoying the journey. These three exemplify the lifestyle and I’m excited to continue to watch their road to black belts.
Thank you so much to all the friends and family that joined us tonight. It’s a long journey and these guys wouldn’t be able to do it without the support from each of you.
I’ve said it before; we’re in a small, desert community and I really appreciate the friendships and positive vibes with the schools in the area. Thank you Mata Jiu Jitsu and Taproom Jiu Jitsu for coming out! Special shout out to Journeyman Grappling for making the trip out from Washington.
⚫️ FAIXA PRETA
Rey
Ralph
🔵 FAIXA AZUL
Andrew
Raul
Benji