12/22/2025
Today has marked the day off a long lasting journey in earning my black belt, around March of 2004 I started my jiu-jitsu journey with Marter , during that time about 9 years I was able to earn my brown belt, jiu-jitsu has taught me commitment, consistency, hard work, dedication, respect the higher belts but also respect the ones beneath you also it taught me the glory of winning and the horror of losing in competition, jiu-jitsu made me a better person all around, right about my 4th year in ( blue belt) I broke my wrist in practice had 9 screws and a plate inserted in to my wrist, this moment in my life really taught me grit and the love I had for sport and overcoming a huge obstacles , I remember I was back at practice after 2 months and training with 1 hand...after that event I realized if I was able to overcome this huge obstacles I am able to overcome anything and push harder and become better at my craft, the next following 5 years was maybe the best years in competition and becoming good in the sport, nonetheless at around the 9th year I was slowing down and was having eye site issues, I went ahead had corneal transplant and this procedure did not go as expected and I went legally blind and lost my sight for about 10 months. During this challenging time It really made me do alot of soul searching and realigned my priorities and stop jiu-jitsu for 10 years ...about 1 year and half or so I had the itch to come back and joined professor school this is the second half my journey, I do have to say it was quite humbling my body and my age did not forgive me and the level I had acquired really went out the door, I can tell you going back after 10 years off was not fun, knowing that every day I am getting my ass whooped, my body would not recuperate as fast and always hurting ....to conclude today Dec 22nd 2025, I want thank Profesor Pulga Pimentel for giving me my black belt , for having patience and believing me , it is a true honor, earning my black belt and I will make you proud and thanks to master Carlos Rollyson for teaching my foundation , I am super proud for both my instructors and will always honor them.