The “gauntlet” is a popular and somewhat controversial celebratory tradition in jiu-jitsu. When a student receives a belt promotion, they walk past their teammates all lined up, each one of them lashing the new higher rank across the back with their belts. Some academies still heartily embrace the tradition, others have rejected it, and many others make it optional (because, yes, it does really hurt).
In this video, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu shares his thoughts on the meaning behind the BJJ gauntlet before some of his students walk through it themselves. Check it out:
