Photo: Garden State Photography- Mark Ward
Tom DeBlass is a former Bellator and UFC fighter with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jisu under Ricardo Almeida.
Tom was a County Champion Long Jumper in High School graduating from Central Regional High School in 2000. He went on to Graduate Monmouth University in 2004 with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. Tom DeBlass was known primarily as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor winning such titles as Pan American and World Championships. He then fought Professionally in Ring Of Combat. In only a year and a half DeBlass captured two titles and got called up to fight in the UFC. DeBlass opened his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in 2006, Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His Academy host’s 300 students. He has produced his own World Champion students, such as Garry Tonon, Tom’s first student to compete in ADCC.
DeBlass is the 2015 No Gi Open Weight World champion at Master 1 black belt.
DeBlass recently wrote an inspiring essay on his Facebook profile talking about how most people will quit jiujitsu before reaching black belt. Going through the ranks is a long and tough process which weeds out the people who are not 100% commited to to Jiu-Jitsu. Ryron Gracie said that “Only 1% of people that train Jiu-Jitsu will get their black belt”. Think about the time when you started training Jiu-Jitsu. Out of all the people who started training at the same time as you, how many are still here and training regularly? Chances are that you have a lot of people coming in training a few months, maybe even get promoted to blue belt and then suddenly disappear.
DeBlass stated:
“The question is often asked, why do so many people stop training before they accomplish the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
I think the answer is simple, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is hard.
Most people look for the the easiest route to their desired goal. For example, instead of continuous healthy eating they look for the new fad diet or weight loss pill.
I have news for you, there is no quick fix in Jiu-Jitsu. It takes years of dedication in order to achieve your Black belt. During that time you will face many obstacles.
The easiest thing to do for most people when facing an obstacle is to quit. With this mentality most people die without ever reaching their full potential in any aspect of life.
You must understand your worth, and your desire to succeed must remain strong even on your toughest of days.
Keep showing up, celebrate your small goals achieved along the way, and stay dedicated when motivation fails.
It’s worth it.”
