The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coral belt is a prestigious level achieved after typically 29 years at black belt. The criteria and length varies according to the different BJJ belt systems. There are actual 6 distinct belt systems used in BJJ and each one is different.
The IBJJF requires a practitioner to practice and teach at the black belt level for a minimum of three years before progressing to the next rank for the first 3 ranks. Ranks 4, 5, and 6 require 5 years each from the previous rank.
There are so many coral and red belts in Brazil which is normal considering that Brazilians have been training BJJ for 100 years. American BJJ practitioner Ken Gabrielson is the first official non-Brazilian BJJ coral belt, a rank he achieved in 2017, promoted by Reylson Gracie.
Gabrielson got his black belt all the way back in 1993 promoted by Reylson Gracie, which makes him the 2nd non-Brazilian BJJ black belt and part of the BJJ dirty dozen. He started training BJJ in 1982. He has been training Jiu-Jitsu for 41 years!
The majority of the BJJ dirty qualify for the coral belt time requirement but haven’t yet been promoted.
Related:
Updated List of BJJ Red Belts: There are Much More than You Think!
You can check Gabrielson’s belt progression on the BJJ belt checker.
View this post on Instagram
Gabrelson teaching a guard pass:
Learn a unique set of submissions that will transcend age and time.
- Keep control throughout explosive escape attempts and frequent frames by understanding concepts of control.
- Systemize your attacks by using Ken’s cascade of submissions, that chain together and keep your opponent under constant threat.
