Chapter 2: Blue Belt

Speechless is a good adjective to describe how I felt on Monday night, as my instructor tied my blue belt around my waist. I walked in as a 3 stripe white belt and began my training session just like any other night. In the middle of the lesson, my instructor lined us up against the back wall and called my name with some white tape in his hands. “Another step closer to blue!” I thought to myself. I couldn’t have been anymore right. As I make my way back to the line my instructor calls my name once again! I thought “Could it be?”. No, it couldn’t, because in his hand was white tape. As he is applying my 5^th stripe(?) I was confused because I know, or at least I thought I knew, that there is no such thing as a 5 stripe white belt. Is there? No, there isn’t. So then why do I have 5 stripes? They’re messing with me! Right?....

I head back to the line and then my instructor starts calling people’s names and putting them head to head. After the 6^th pair I thought that it looked a lot like a “promotion” line. Everyone began taking their belts off, so my theory became sounder at this point. Now I’m at the end of the line and my instructor calls one of my teammates come on down. He gets his promotional lashings, and people start falling off the line and my instructor calls for everyone to fall back into formation. Back in line, I hear my name. Totally caught me off guard, so much that I run in the wrong direction LOL! Long story short, and a few welts later, my instructor ties the blue belt around my waist. A blue belt… around my waist! I’m a blue belt!

To some people, the belt means nothing. But to me, it’s a year’s worth of training, anguish, pain, ups, downs, frustrations, AHA! moments and so on. Felt great to get it put on, and the novelty hasn’t worn off yet. No matter how big or small an accomplishment it is, it’s still an accomplishment, and for that I am proud. The saga continues! 

To answer the main question I keep getting asked; no I will not change the name of the blog haha. This blog will still be aimed towards beginners. 

MOJO SuperLite Gi Review

Price: $120 (Includes shipping) @ Ground Fighter

Size: A3 (Current stats are 5’7” 213lbs 35” waist.)

Weight: 3lbs 15.375oz

First Impressions: As I unfolded my brand new MOJO SuperLite gi, I couldn’t help but notice that the quality of the cloth of the jacket seemed, sub-par. The interior jacket felt like construction paper almost. Upon further inspection, I noticed blemishes and imperfect stitching throughout the gi which definitely raised concerns. The embroidery isn’t the greatest either. The pants however, seem to be made well, and were pretty soft. The design is appealing, and I really like the grey contrast stitching on the white gi.   

  

Quality: The jacket has small pulls throughout and the stitching is doubled up in some areas, and was even missed on a small area of the seam on the skirt. The cloth used to make the jacket is marketed as 450g, but compared to my other 450g pearl weave gis, this jacket is much thinner and seems a bit on the flimsy side. The cardboard feeling that I felt upon arrival of the gi, went away with a wash, which was relieving. I assume the cloth treatment they use gives the inside of the jacket a coating that is removed in the washing machine. So after a wash, the gi softened up a bit and felt much better. The largest of the pulls, which is on the back of the jacket, concerned me enough to email and ask if they’ve had an issue with this before. The owner called me asking about the issues and insisted that this was extremely uncommon. I expressed my concern about the pulls turning into holes, and what he said next came to a big surprise. To paraphrase, he explained to me that this gi is made in the same factory as Shoyoroll, and the materials used are the same. This is something I cannot confirm personally. However, I did notice some very strong similarities in the Shoyoroll Compadre (take away the fact that they are different weaves). The pants seem very much alike, excluding the gold weave gusset. The jacket also lacks an armpit reinforcement, which the Shoyoroll gi lacks as well. He then told me that I have absolutely nothing to worry about, and that if anything happens to the gi jacket that he would be happy to replace it free of charge. So resting assured, I continued with the review, rolled in it, and treated it like all of my other gis. And nothing has happened yet within 8 or 9 rolls in this gi. The pants receive a completely different opinion regarding quality. The material feels excellent, and the stitching is much better compared to the jacket. I’m not usually a fan of rope draw strings, but the rope draw string is also excellent. Probably one of the nicest pants I own right now.

Note: The gi is advertised as 450g pearl weave, however, if you add the gi to your shopping cart it says 400g kimono! This would actually make much more sense, being that the jacket cloth is noticeably thinner compared to other 450g pearl weave jackets. 

            

Fit:  The cut of this gi really opened my mind a little more. While the gi has its share of problems, the fit is great. It hits me properly everywhere after a wash and dry, and it really looks nice. The jacket closes nicely as well, which for some, is a big deal. Overall, the gi did fit well.         

Comfort during training:  I have to say, the collar is pretty thick but it’s a little too mushy for me. Training partners didn’t have much of an issue grabbing the lapel. That is a give and take type situation though. A mushy collar may be easy to manipulate, but for the purpose of training can pose useful. The gi as a whole is actually quite comfortable to train in. The jacket is light and the pants are stellar in the comfort department. Overall, this gi provides a comfortable roll and I have no issue saying that I actually enjoyed rolling in it.   

        

  

Shrinking: Nothing extreme in the shrinkage department. Although the wingspan did take a 3” hit which is a little above average, but nothing to really worry about.  

My washing technique:  

The usual hot water wash with regular detergent and an hour long dry each time. I did wash it once with some bleach, and noticed that the embroidered patch on the shoulder faded unevenly.

Bottom Line: The gi is listed for $99, but after shipping and tax, it comes to $115-120 depending on your location. At this price point, the MOJO SuperLite is against some fierce competition and unfortunately, the quality does not seem to be up to the challenge. The cut is rather nice, and the pants are exceptional. With all of the issues mentioned, I am very much aware that there will always be defective items, so it’s much like an unwanted lottery drawing, and my number may have been called here. I did not receive a replacement to compare the quality, although there are people that have provided their positive opinion about this gi and other gis provided by Mojo. I feel that if they upgrade the cloth of the jacket, and work on the QA aspect of production, Mojo could have one of the better gis available. However, it is difficult to provide a recommendation with the current issues at hand.    

Additional Images

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Dollamur Flexi-Roll Mat Review

Price: $224 for each 5’x10’ mat @ Dollamur

Weight:Approx 25 lbs each

I usually break down my reviews into different sections, but I guess I’ll just review the mat in basic paragraph form. I ordered 2 Flexi-Roll mats to make a 10’x10’ square for my apartment. Since they roll up, it is extremely convenient for those like me, who have small homes but still want to train at home. Before I get into the actual mat, I want to talk a little about the awesome customer service Dollamur provides. When I placed my order, I opted for tatami style mats, but then after a few hours I decided that I wanted the smooth surface mats. I made a phone call to Dollamur, and without fuss they changed my order. Four days later I received my mats. When you order a Flexi-Roll Mat, they are delivered individually in a box about 2ft high by 5ft long. I bought two mats and received my two packages and like a little kid on Christmas I immediately ripped the boxes open. I rolled them out onto the floor, lined them up and to my dismay saw that the mats did not line up. One mat was 10ft long, while the other was 9ft 7inches. Seeing this, I immediately called Dollamur to inform them of this. I spoke to a rep by the name of Tommy, and explained the situation. He was very understanding and simply asked for me to email an image to him and he would send me a replacement. When I sent the picture, he replied that he had already shipped out the replacement mat with a return label! I received the replacement, which I was cut much better, threw the old mat in that box and brought it to FedEx and shipped it back. He explained that there usually is about a half inch to inch difference between mats.

To oversimplify the mat design, they are in a nut shell planks of foam lined up underneath a sheet of vinyl. It’s a very basic design, but the idea is ingenious. It rolls up nicely without any effort and is easily stored, hung with the straps that they come with, or kept in a corner. I roll them up and keep them taped together. Each mat has an included velcro strap that you can use to keep them rolled up when storing or transporting them. They also included a roll of tape which is very stretchy clear plastic tape that is easily applied to the mat and holds the mat together well through a few hours of rolling. After 2 sessions, the tape has to be taken off and new tape needs to be put down. It doesn’t leave a residue and comes up relatively easy.

Mat Surface

Mat is 1.25" thick

The Flexi-Roll mat is great to train on. It’s comfortable to lay on, has a slight texture so you have traction and feels almost as good as the professional mats in my school. The mat is 1.25” thick which is perfect for rolling, but I am not quite too sure about throws. We haven’t tested that out yet, but I don’t think there is enough protection for takedowns. I could be wrong, and if any of your readers have any input, please chime in. There are 2 cons to this mat. The mat is so light, that it does have a tendency to slide a little bit during training. I have a 10x10 mat in a 12x12 space and the mat constantly winds up against the baseboard heater. Not necessarily a big deal, but you can tear into it and rip up the mat a bit. The second issue is the available dimensions, or lack thereof. They have a 5x10 option and a 12x12 option. If they had a 5x15 option that would probably be a great dimension. Pairing up 3 would give you a 15’x15’ mat space. 10x10 is perfect for my apartment, because it fits great. However, 10x10 isn’t enough to go all out when training. Even through light flow-roll style training, I found that I had to reset often. If I were to upgrade to a larger home, I would definitely want a 15x15 mat space. That’s obviously personal preference though.

Cleaning the mat is important, and while they do sell cleaner, I just use diluted bleach. It’s fast, cheap and easy, and I don’t think it will damage the mats in any way. I have only had the mats for a little over a month, but I don’t see any damage what so ever. Plus, the bleach helps get rid of that very strong chemical smell the mats have.




The price point for this mat seems a bit high for what it is.Fortunately, I was able to split the cost with a friend and that seems to be a fairly good idea because the mats can be separated. As for this style mat, this is probably the cheapest mat you will find on the market. Storing these mats could be a bit difficult for some. It rolls up to about 5’x1.5’. If you are looking for mats to buy for your home, there are cheaper alternatives than roll out mats, but I don’t have an issue recommending these mats to anyone, especially if the mats need to be picked up quickly. This is a well made, high quality product and Dollamur’s customer service is outstanding.   

Yearning For The Jitz

          I haven't trained since last Wednesday and I have to admit, I'm experiencing serious withdrawal. Between being really sick, and injuring my back I've missed 8 days of solid training. I'm over my illness, back feels a bit better, and so I've decided to hit the gym tonight. Luckily, Fridays are quiet and laid back, so it's the perfect night to ease back into it. As I get older, I get more conscious about my body and concentrate on injury prevention. In a sport like this, it's easy to get hurt, forcing you to miss weeks or even months at a time. It's important that you warm up, stretch and stay hydrated throughout your training sessions. In my opinion, that's why most injuries occur; failing to perform preventative maintenance. A simple 5 minute stretch, can save you weeks of anguish. Not all injuries are prevented though, as mine was created simply by applying deodorant. Of course that's not the source of the injury, however it was the last straw that broke my back. Luckily it isn't serious, and I am still able to train. So here's to a night of easy training!

Black Eagle Predator Gi MK II Review

Price: $128-141 (includes shipping) @

Size: A2 (Current stats are 5’7” 213lbs 35” waist.)

Weight: 3lbs 12.5oz

First Impressions: It seems like the UK is home to some of the sharpest looking, better made gis out there. The embroidery (see disclaimer at bottom) on this particular gi is very nice, and @ $128 for a white Predator MKII BJJ kimono, this could be one of the best bang-for-your-buck gis on the market. The gi jacket is patch free, and only contains embroidery. The embroidery is clean and subtle to the point where it may appease most practitioners. The pants contain a patch on each thigh. Closer inspection I noticed something humorous. The American flag is upside down when laid out flat. Kind of funny and relevant if you think about it. The included carrying bag is also very nice and seems durable.          

  

Quality: I really love the quality of this gi. The material is light but strong and doesn’t have that cheap flimsy feel. It’s not very soft though. The collar hits the mark for me. It’s tough and sturdy, great for competition. The embroidery is well done and the stitching is on par. The ripstop pants might be the nicest ripstop pants I have ever reviewed and I am not a fan of ripstop either. I have reviewed similar ripstop pants, but these have the upper hand, especially with the 6 belt loops. Very well made gi.     

            

Fit:  Before I received the gi, one of the first questions I asked was in reference to the cut of the Predator BJJ gi, and this was the response I got.

“All of our gis will have the same cut, designed for competition. We keep the cut pretty tight, but within the rules! They are pre-shrunk as well, literally fit straight out of the bag, and with little or no shrinkage from the first wash (you get around 0.1%). On the Predator model, it is a Pearl Weave (450 gram) jacket with ripstop trousers. Designed to be as light as possible but still strong. Additional strengthenings at seams etc ensure the Gi doesn’t fall apart. Soft yet strong lapel, with improved fit around the nape of the neck to reduce chaffing. The Predator (the one in stock now) is basically our top of the range Competition Spec BJJ Gi. We offer mix/match jacket/pants sizes as well.”

Competition cut? Intriguing. So with this in mind, I put the gi on. This was the best fitting gi jacket out of the bag I have ever worn… ever. Not one of the best, THE best. I don’t need to shrink it anywhere, it closes nicely and is very sleek. Now, there’s another UK based gi brand that I reviewed with a similar fit after a few dries, but this fits me MUCH better without any adjustments. Since I had 2 jackets I washed one in hot water and the other in cold water. You’ll see the result in the measurement images. The pants fit me well, and I’m happy to know that I fit in A2 pants very nicely. The images provided show that this gi makes me look good. (I’m half joking)      

Comfort during training:  This is one of the recent gis that I reviewed that made it into my rotation. Like I said in my last review; if the gi fits perfectly, it should be very comfortable during training. That theory is right 2 times in a row. Since this gi is tighter fitting and has a strong sturdy collar, grip fighting is much easier. It stayed closed for the entire duration of my training session as well, which is almost unheard of. Of course, the amount of variables that take place are almost impossible to document, the fact that it stayed closed even from getting up and laying down dozens of times was still impressive. Seems trivial, and in a way it is, but it is an observation worth noting. As I said earlier in the review, this gi isn’t very soft, but it isn’t so rough that it feels like 80 grit sand paper. It’s easy to say that this gi has become a favorite.   

  

Shrinking: Since I had 2 jackets, I washed one in hot and one in cold. Now, the claim that the gi is shrink proof is true following the washing directions. However, washing it in hot water will render this gi shrunk, which ruined my perfect fit. The hot water took 2 inches out of the width of the gi, while not making it too small, making it unable to close as nicely. I’m a huge advocate for hygiene, and if you aren't washing your gi in very hot water (150+ degrees), than you should add a little bleach to your gi loads. And since this is a blue gi, and bleach would probably ruin it, then I would be forced to find an alternative method of cleaning. The pants lost a little under an inch from the length but stayed the same size else where. Cold water wash resulted in barely any shrinking to report.     

My washing technique:  Original Jacket and Pants -  Hot water wash and hang dry. Replacement jacket; cold water wash with hang dry.

Bottom Line: Since there is a huge overseas shipping charge of roughly $23, The Predator BJJ kimono covers a fairly broad spread of costs when you want to buy a dyed gi. A white gi would cost you $128 dollars after shipping, and a blue Predator BJJ kimono would run you $13 more @ $141. At $128 the Predator gi is one of the easiest purchase recommendations I can make to anyone looking for a gi. It’s an extremely high quality well made gi and it’s great looking as well. Since the blue gi would be the same gi just $13 more, it then starts to push into the territory of an “expensive” gi BUT that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. If you don’t have a color preference, buy a white Predator gi and rest easy because once it arrives, you will be more than satisfied.

Note: Shipping from the UK to my home in NY took 19 days the first time, and then 6 days the second time. The first time, the package sat in customs for over 2 weeks. So keep that in mind and stay patient!

Disclaimer: Just so my readers are aware, I did receive a Predator gi with a defect. The embroidery was messed up on one of the sleeves. This isn’t the first gi that I have received that was defective in some way, and it won’t be the last. I will be going into detail about defective products that I have received, the reaction of the company, and the end result in a future article. Long story short (I will elaborate on the excellent service by Black Eagle in the upcoming article), I received a replacement promptly, so this review is about the defect free gi. 

Koral Classic Gi Review

Price: $162 @ Kinji San

Size: A2 (Current stats are 5’7” 213lbs 35” waist.)

Weight: 3lbs 12.5oz

First Impressions: Koral is the Cadillac of the BJJ gi world, and pulling it out of the packaging for the first time you can see, feel and even smell why. The Koral Classic’s simplistic design will suit the styling tastes of many with minimal flair (but flair it still has) with 2 basic shoulder patches, seam tape along the skirt and inside cuff, and a large printed logo on each side of the pants. There is no embroidery or contrast stitching. So with basic aesthetics the question does arise; is this gi really worth the $160-170 price tag it proudly possesses?                    

  

Pearl Weave

Quality: I’m going to sum up the quality of the Koral Classic in one word: Great. Were you surprised? Probably not, but what makes this gi so great? Less is more with the Koral Classic. There are fewer bells and whistles, so there is a lot less to go wrong in production. The gi possesses solid construction that does possess minor flaws that you would expect out of a gi, but the key word is minor. The gi goes through a preparation process where 2 washes and fabric softener is involved according to the store owner over at Kinji San. The jacket is a heavier weave; I’m assuming it is a 550gsm pearl weave which is a preference of mine. I like heavier jackets. The jacket and pants are pretty soft, and have that already washed feel, and you can actually smell the fabric softener. The pants are a light cotton but the type of cotton is unknown. I can only speculate by saying it is a light weight 8 oz twill. I do wish that the pants were constructed with 4 or 6 loops instead of the old standard of 2. I find that more loops equates to better support.     

            

Fit:  Fit is subjective to the user, and I’ve asked others  what would warrant a price tag of $160 price tag for a gi, and most said the same thing: A high quality gi that fits perfectly. I mean, what else can you ask for out of a gi? In this case, this is a high quality gi and fits me just right. Could be a half inch shorter in the sleeve length out of the bag, and luckily I got the perfect fit after 2 hot water washes and very minor shrinkage. The interesting thing about this gi is that as an A2 it is cut larger than most of my gis that are A3. Sizing is unique to the company, but this is the largest A2 I’ve come across. It’s cut very generously in the body, and for a larger than average person like myself, I can appreciate that. The pants are tapered slightly which I also really like. Being a little more stout than most of the guys my height, the Koral Classic is cut with my body type in mind. So if you are slimmer than me but the same height, you may have to look at another gi being that the A1 might be too short in sleeves and pants. While the jacket is cut larger, the pants are a little less forgiving. I feel that if I dry the pants, I may lose that perfect, legal fit and would wind up with capri pants. Definitely a cut for the bigger bodied.       

Comfort during training:  If the gi fits perfectly, it’s probably going to be comfortable when rolling. That’s definitely the case here. This has made its way comfortably into my rotation, and I don’t see it leaving any time soon. The Koral Classic’s collar is by far one of my favorite collars I’ve ever tested. It has the best combination of stiffness and malleability in my opinion. Very sturdy, but not stiff to the point where it feels like a piece of wood. Movement was unrestricted, and the cut allows the jacket to stay closed a lot longer than my other gis. Nothing else to really report except it makes for a comfortable roll.        

  

Shrinking: Since I only hung dry this gi, the gi did not really shrink, even with a hot water wash. I tried a few methods of washing (as you will read below). As you can see, measurements barely changed in certain parts of the jacket and that is comforting, knowing that you can hot water wash without having to worry about losing the nice fit. I have not dried this gi at all, so I cannot say whether or not this gi will not shrink when dried. Intuition tells me that it will shrink.    

My washing technique:  

Two out of the 6 washes were hot water wash with an outdoor overnight hang dry. The rest of the washes were Cold/Cold Delicate with ¼ cup of bleach, also with outdoor hang dries. Keep in mind, Koral advises against the use of bleach. Just for of the sake of sanitary habits, I am going to give it bleach a shot and see how the gis fair against a little bleach.

Bottom Line: I figured that picking up a Koral Classic would lead to a relatively easy review, and in it has mostly. The gi is cut generously and really seems to target people with my body type. It possesses a high quality construction and material along with a simplistic and classy design making this an easy recommendation to anyone looking for a new gi. Now for the hard part: The $160+/- price tag forces me to give it a second thought and had me really thoroughly inspect and dissect this gi to understand what makes this so expensive. The realistic and unbiased answer is that it’s a Koral. You are essentially paying for a name that represents lasting quality, and while the Koral Classic is easily one of the best, high quality gis I have reviewed; there are close seconds $40 cheaper. If money is of no object, buy a Koral Classic and be happy. But if you are financially conscious or on a budget, there are a few gis that I have reviewed in the $120-130 range that give the Koral Classic a severe run for its money in the quality department. Check back here soon to see a VS. article when I pit the Koral Classic against some cheaper but very similar gis.     

WBA Birthday Giveaway!!!

Happy Birthday WBA!

Since my blog’s first birthday is coming up, it’s customary to give a gift. But instead of me receiving one, I’m going to be giving gifts to my readers!

How Do I Win? - Simple! Just click the "Like" button on the right side of my blog, Or go to White Belt Academy's Facebook Page and click "Like" there. You can also subscribe to my  YouTube Channel to increase your chances! I will compile all subscribers from both pages and randomly choose a winner @ 500 likes and then again at 1000 likes. 

At 500 likes or May 1st, I will give away a Ronin Brand Insignia (courtesy of  Kinji San )

At 1000 likes or May 20th, I will give away …. (Drum Roll Please)…. Any gi of your choice!(courtesy of Fighters Market)

Winners will be contacted via facebook or youtube. All prizes are brand new and winners will choose their preferred size. For the “1000 likes” winner, you will be able to pick any gi available @ fightersmarket.com. Prizes cannot be returned for money.  The drawings will take place immediately after the 500^th and 1000th like is received, or at the dates listed above (whichever comes first). Prizes provided by  Kinji San  and  Fighters Market .

Special Thanks to:

Inching Closer To My Weight Loss Goal!

Tatami Zero G V2.0 Gi Review

Price: $120 @ MAS

Size: A3 (Current stats are 5’7” 215lbs 35” waist.)

Weight: 3lbs 7.125oz

First Impressions: Taking the gi out of the included carrying bag, the craftsmanship is what immediate catches my eye. The embroidery on the Tatami Zero G V2.0 is definitely the best I have ever seen. It’s flush with the gi, very sharp, and flawless. The next thing I notice is how light the gi is. At 3lbs 7oz, the Tatami Zero G V2.0 is the lightest gi I have reviewed yet. Its color scheme and and simplistic design is very appealing to my tastes.             

Cageside Genesis Jiu Jitsu Gi Review

Price: $85.50 @ CageSideMMA.com

Size: A3 (Current stats are 5’7” 215lbs 35” waist.)

Weight: 3lbs 14.75oz

First Impressions: I thought I had the softest gi on the market in my last review, but this is the gi equivalent of a box of kittens, without the box. If the tag said 100% silk, I wouldn’t be surprised. While the softness enabled the assumption of comfort, would it also equate to a lack of durability? Spoiler Alert: No. Getting past the softness, the gi itself is clean and aesthetically plain, although it does have CAGESIDE JIU JITSU in fairly big bold letters on the upper back.      

  

Pendulum Sweep

Pretty cool sweep I learned in class the other night.