Ian Sanders Promoted to Black Belt - 2016!!!

The Rodrigo Freitas Jiu-Jitsu Academy was packed with students on July 2, 2016. As soon as Ian Sanders saw the photographer there, that's when he thought something big was about to happen. He wasn't wrong, because a black belt was waiting for him that day. 

Ian initially started training to get in shape, get healthy, and also because according to Ian, "my brother used to kick my ass when I was little." 6 years later, he is now a proud black belt. After winning gold at last year's No-Gi Pan-Ams as a brown belt, he plans to have another promising performance this No-Gi season as the new black belt in the division. Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, Ian started taking Ashtanga Yoga, which helps ease some of his reoccurring injuries and also strengthens his overall thinking. He's eager to perform in the highest level of his Jiu-Jitsu career, but most importantly, continue having fun with the sport and sharing his knowledge with the rest of the students at the Rodrigo Freitas Jiu-Jitsu academy.