Did My BJC Black Singlet Today and Got It

[Cheen Machine]

I finally decided to do my BJC Black Singlet since i took time off from fighting after my fight in Melb on June 1st. Did alot better than i thort i would i got an A as my overall pass mark. Thort id share my happiness wif the ppl that love Muay Thai as much as me 'you guys'.

[purple warrior]

Well done Cheen Machine.

Awsome effort, BTW were are ya training @[?]

Cheers[^]

[Cheen Machine]

I train at Street Alert Muay Thai under Liam Priest in Wagga Wagga. WBU mate where do you train n who wif?

[imported_n/a]

Well done Cheeny, great to hear. Will see you in October mate.

[ChrisQ]

Well done Cheeny, big achievement mate.

[Cheen Machine]

Thanx Pira n Quirky for the congrats

[Kano]

Good work Cheeny, I got mine coming up at the end of Sept.

[dekker]

LMAO

[Hellfighter]

well done, I did mine in '91 when the results were chiselled into rock

[Kano]

Why LMAO dekker?

[dekker]

Its not about a singlet, Respect the fighter not the singlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChrisQ]

quote:Originally posted by dekker

Its not about a singlet, Respect the fighter not the singlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!



There is more to this sport than just fighting.
Takes a lot to get that black singlet, and my full respect goes out to anyone who puts in the hard yards to get one.

[imported_n/a]

quote:Originally posted by dekker

Its not about a singlet, Respect the fighter not the singlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!



[V]

[harls]

Congrats Cheen Machine!

Dekker, I can't believe those disrespectful comments came from you. It takes years of hard work to earn those singlets. MT gradings may have been developed outside of Thailand, but that does not make it any less respectable.

[Hellfighter]

I'm with dekker on this one... if you all knew what I went thru to get mine back in the day, it was nothing compared to what this lad must have gone, it honestly all came down to who the trainer was and what money was to be made in the future

did you have to do sit-ups and push-ups? I didn't, I did 17 x 3mins: 5 x grappling (knees to the head inc. 2rds with elbows), 5 x pad work & 7 x fight sparring with elbows allowed in 3 (I was the only one with 16Oz gloves, the rest had 8 & 10s) and we also did 45mins-1hr of technique work

spewed my guts up after it and was only just lucky to pass... couldn't walk for 2 days due to ankle and shin swelling and a torn quad just above the knee from a downward elbow

knew bugger all, went back up north and opened my Gym in July 1991 and became black/red in August (see the money spin here), in 1994 was awarded my red singlet and a year later changed over to the WMC... end of story

[samuaythai]

welldone mate congrats gotmine coming up looking forward to it;):D

[dekker]

No disrespect intended i know Cheen Machine and he is a nice bloke and a good fighter i just think the process of belts, singlets and such has been watered down and is basically a money thing nowerdays, but if thats what makes you feel good then fine so be it, its just an opinion and like arse's we all have one!

[Kano]

Well I guess it depends on which gym you come from. The gym that I come from doesn't follow the sylabis (sp) to the strict letter, it is up to the head trainer to decide when the gradings occur and they are far far harder than what is required by BJC. We (the students) don't have a problem with this because it gives us something to work for and a reward for the effort that we put in.

I am not a fighter, and have no intention. This is my way of reaching my goals in the sport and good luck to those that put in the effort and hard work to get their tops. I also seen that Boonchu have singlets, I am sure that these are for the same purpose, to give the non fighters a goal...

Kane

[tysonsback]

Dont mean to sound dumb,but what is BJC?,so the singlets are like belts, do you start on white and work up through differnt colours?

Not really muaythai tradition but if you get to punch,kick,knee,and elbow somone l guess its alright,each to there own.

[Kano]

BJC is otherwise known as the Bob Jones Corporation. Yes the singlets are like belts, starting at white, then yellow, orange, blue, green, brown black & so on.

[Q]

Good on you Cheen Machine, I think this sort of grading system is great for our sport, not everyone wants to fight this helps promote the sport to the general public. I have been down to some classes and it is awesome, lines of just people learning moves and loving it. I started myself in the BJC system, which got me into the sport, just a small fact but at one stage The BJC had appr; 25000 members and they are still running strong.



In the end though I think I stole my black singlet from out the back room where I started training so i can only wear it in the privacy of my own lunchbox.

[Locked Up]

Well done on the black singlet mate,
not only does it show your strenghts and weaknesess as fighting does, but it also shows your commitment and futher development to the art & sport of Muay Thai as a certified level one trainer.

This achievement means your not just here for a good time but for a long time.

Well done to a BJC companion.

[gvmartialarts]

Congratulations Aaron, hope Liam smashed ya!!

And the old chestnut of 'singlets don't get you respect, fighting does' and 'it's just a money making scheme' always pop up from time to time. Do you show a general any less respect than a rifleman because one has worked hard to get to the top, whereas the other works hard to stay alive and get the job done? No, you respect both as they work very hard to get where they want. Anyone who works hard, is focused and shows respect to others deserves a 'well-done,' regardless if he/she is a black belt, CEO or just makes a really nice meal for their family.

As for gradings/singlets/classes being a 'watered-down' version of MuayThai, are you saying you can only be a fighter to do MuayThai? If I had not done class-structured MuayThai, I would have never been exposed to this sport, would not have had the great chance to fight and train others. Each to their own, but don't belittle people for doing something they love.

[Hellfighter]

damn things have really changed (singlet colours), when I started it was white then after 10 sessions you could grade to green, then after 20 sessions you could grade for brown, then after 30 sessions you could grade for your black singlet... black/red and red were awarded over time due to your contribution via your Gym (student numbers) and quality of training/fighters... you could pay up front for all your training and gradings up to black singlet at a cost of $400

my average grading I used to run would go for approx. 2 - 2.5hrs and each student had to prove they deserved to advance

anyway, times have changed... congrats

[gvmartialarts]

Yeah, my brown, black & 2nd degree gradings all go for at least 2 hours. And times have changed, I always remind my students they are lucky they don't have to go throught the punishment I did (shame I didn't know about PL insurance, I could be a rich, rich man hahahaha).

[Bushi]

Aaron,

Congrats.

I think the point here has been missed here.

Here's a YOUNG guy that's had I think 15 fights, fights FTR, takes on who EVER is put in front of him and STIL see's the significance of gaining his black singlet.

Aaron, you have nothing but respect for not letting the fact that you fight take away from your gaining your singlet.

You probably started training BJC Muay Thai, loved it and thought WTF I'll get in the ring. MANY would have said (and have said) what's a singlet worth. To you, it's worth everything. You had nothing to prove, having fought as much as you do, but you showed the respect to the syllabus, the BJC system and to your instructor to not see the singlet as being beyond you.

Everyone is in awe of all these K1 stars etc that they keep referring to as Kyokushin this etc, eg. Peter Aerts always gets quoted as having a martial arts back ground, but he is rememebred for his ring work, but if he went back and gained his next rank in his style it would be worthy of an IK front page....

You have shown true humility to your chosen art, credit to you young man....and I wish you every success in your fighting and BJC career.

[Cheen Machine]

Well HF n Dekker this is wat i did for my grading. I did a 9 min eliminator which consisted of push ups, sit ups, squats, sprints, plyometric jumps, piston pumps. iIn between each dif thing i had 30 sec break. I then did a 3 min round of skipping with 2 15 sec intervals doubling speed up for that period of time every minute. Then i did 2 3's of shadow boxing then 1 3 min round on the hand pads, 1 3 min round on the kick shield then 1 3min round thai pads all consisting of the number system per BJC Syllabus. The i did a 3 min round of clinching wif a fresh bloke every min coming in. Then i did 5 x 3's sparring with a fresh person every round. Think thats worth abit of respect and recognition guys.
HF i think 16 fights a state title hel by myself and 4.5 years of loyalty, respect and just hard training and dedication to my gym and trainer made me worthy of doing my Black Singlet in my trainers opinion and thats all that matters to me dude.
N bushi u r correct mate i did my first 2 gradings which were my blue n green singlets in my first year of training n then decided i wanted to fight after that. Not only do i get a fully credited certificate through the BJC n WKA n become an instructor i also get to c how proud i made my trainer and give him sumfin back. The part i also liked at the end was being presented my own Mongkong off a man that i look up to. My trainer.
I never started this topic as a chance for you guys to run down my achievement and happiness from what i finally achieved i opened it up so blokes such as Matt Reid, Pira and Bushi and ne1 else that knows how hard you train for sumfin like this culd share their points of view.

[Cheen Machine]

Plus wat does sum1 who doesnt want to fight have to work towards if we didnt have gradings? Its a track record of 1's progress in time.

[Hellfighter]

how did you honestly find what you have directed at me out of what I said? sure, I agreed with dekker on one point, but I have done the gradings mate, 18yrs ago, and I also congratulated you

anyway, have fun with your singlet and don't put it in the sun too long or it will fade

[Rob McIntyre]

WA BJC singlet gradings

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx4WeGm08Pk

[imported_n/a]

Cheeny,

There is always someone who wants to dwell in negativity. Bushi has summed it up well and attitude is second to none. After 16 fights, some great wars, and more to come this is another great step for you.


Sean did his earlier this year under our syllabus after six years training and was rapt.

[Cheen Machine]

I was giving my opinion HF didnt want to upset ne1 wif my comments. It wasnt a personal attack on you guys just my thorts on what was sed. I think gradings sre good. Jus wanted to share what i had to do 4 my grading cuz you shared urs mate. Jus got a lil offended when it was a called a watered down version of MT jus cuz of what it means to me. No hard feelings mate?

[gvmartialarts]

To be fair, HF did congratulate you, and didn't say it was watered-down (and I believe him when he says his was chiselled in rock haha). Alot of people get their knickers in a knot about gradings whether they be MT, various karate styles, judo, BJJ whatever. Respect is the key word here, and when done properly, the black singlet gradings are extremely hard on the body and mind. I too am proud of my student's achievments and always remind them I only instruct them. I can't kick, punch, diet, run etc for them, they must do it all.

Anyways, congrats again bro, if you thought that was hard, wait till you do your red logo!!

[Cheen Machine]

I do apologise to HF for sayn he sed they r watered down. Ill bite my tounge n admit i was wrong. Sorry mate

[Axekick157]

Congrats on the Black Singlet Mate... A great achievement and you should be extremely proud.

[doingtime]

well done cheen machine -most people wouldnt get pass the gladiator it tests most new students

[Hellfighter]

all's good, enjoy your achievement

[Tetsuko]

Congrats Cheeny and Mat is correct - your instructor can't do it for you! But like any test, if you come out of it knowing that you have given 110% and have pushed yourself to the limit, then you have every reason to be proud!

And gradings are a good idea as said before...I have a number of 'older' men and women who will never ever get in the ring, but they are pushed to their absolute limits every time they train and deserve to receive recognition of their achievements and goals just as much as younger, fitter people do.

Enjoy the moment Cheeny - and yes, wait till red logo!!

[Tetsuko]

Congrats Cheeny and Mat is correct - your instructor can't do it for you! But like any test, if you come out of it knowing that you have given 110% and have pushed yourself to the limit, then you have every reason to be proud!

And gradings are a good idea as said before...I have a number of 'older' men and women who will never ever get in the ring, but they are pushed to their absolute limits every time they train and deserve to receive recognition of their achievements and goals just as much as younger, fitter people do.

Enjoy the moment Cheeny - and yes, wait till red logo!!

[Tetsuko]

oops!

[Mojoman]

Congrats CM, I did mine a couple of years back and afterwards was absolutely wasted. My instructor is "old school" when talking about gradings so the sparring was quite brutal. Of course it wasn't the same level as a fight but when you're that fatigued and then have to spar fresh guys round after round it can be very taxing.

As with fighting it's the hours and hours of work you do in preparation as well. I'm doing my 2nd degree end of the year and started training for it in Feb working on fitness mainly while keeping the technical stuff sharp.

[whitetiger]

well done cheeny, i got my black singlet in the old days, and i would feel just as proud than if i receieved it nowadays. I had had 7 fights by the time i went for it, and had non fighters just as talented and hard working as myself going for theirs, so mine wasnt any more deserved then theirs. in all sports there is always old school versus new school, mine was harder then yours, what matters is you are acheiving your goal and keeping people involved with this sport, or they might go and take up karate ot taekwondo, well done mate, see you in october

[Hellfighter]

the difference between when I did mine and the gradings of the last 8 or so years, is I only trained in MuayThai and those are the gradings I did and if you did ZDK, those gradings were separate again

whereas now, it's all combined

and as for "what are those that don't want to fight to get out of it?"... gradings were desgined to keep Westerners happy, because they need something to show off

a true Japanese balck belt (back in the day), trained their butt off and the harder they trained the dirtier their white belt got until it was stained black... now people are receiving apricot and plum coloured belts (sarcasm people)

I take my hat off to all that train, no matter what style, but at the end of the day... does/should it really cost so much for a piece of cardboard and a belt/singlet/sash etc. when what really matters is what is in your heart and the encouragement from those around you

[bajnh]

quote:Originally posted by Hellfighter

the difference between when I did mine and the gradings of the last 8 or so years, is I only trained in MuayThai and those are the gradings I did and if you did ZDK, those gradings were separate again

whereas now, it's all combined



Since when has been combined?
You either train Thai or ZDK (or both) bur there are no gradings that will let you achieve rank in each.

The systems have married a bit to keep with "the best of everything in progression" motto, but gradings, rank structure and syllabus have never been combined.

[bajnh]

And congrats on the achievement.

Lets not forget in 1988 when BJC Muay Thai started - nearly all 3rd Degrees were trained in beasic Thia technique and graded to red singlet (trainers level equiv to 3rd Dan) to help instruct and promote thai throughout the country.

With the level of instructors, trainers, fighters i'd say the quality of student is far greater today.

Again - congrats!!!

Just my thoughts.

[Killer Karl]

Well done Cheen Machine its a great achievement whether you did it the other day or 18 years ago. I remember the ZDK gradings and the MT gradings and we kicked the **** out of each other (22 years ago). All that achieved was people were injured or gave up or became nuts like HF and myself hehe. The system has been greatly improved and anybody can grade for their black singlet or belt for that matter with out being wasted, injured or destroyed. HF said it we had no idea back then but over time men like Bob Jones, John Scida and Richard Norton made inovations that anyone (no matter what age,sex or level of fitness or physical disability)could train and people were happy to pay for it. Not everyone is a fighter for different reasons and the grading system is one of the best ways to measure progress. I think the standard of grading has improved since the "old days" and the training is still very challenging.

[Hellfighter]

in Central Queensland in 1999, the grading list was

#1 MuayThai
#2 & 3 ZDK
#4 MuayThai

and so on, that's what I meant by combined

agree with what you posted about 3rd degrees being graded up, as I have some footage from 1991 which shows some of them... unfortunately it ain't pretty

and over time, the quality of everyone has most certainly gotten better

[Hironaka]

quote:Originally posted by Hellfighter


and as for "what are those that don't want to fight to get out of it?"... gradings were desgined to keep Westerners happy, because they need something to show off


Interesting point. Especially in BJJ when the only true recognised colours are white, then blue. I guess it helps in the gym because the gap between these two milestone is enourmous.