74-year old earns black-belt

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most physical forms of martial arts. And it's a sport that James Terlecki has spent many years perfecting, no matter how late in life.

[@roycemachado9770]

I'm 50 yo with a white belt 1st stripe so James Terlecki gave us older people hope..respect to him👍

[@7Earthsky]

Same here..I'm 44 and starting combat JJ very soon..Good to know there's folk out there starting JJ over the age of 25...Everyone seems so young that's doing it on youtube but i'm sure there's a good mix of ages.

[@IgnatiusCheese]

7Earthsky Good for you sir. I advise you to work on your neck muscles then.

[@ToddVance]

45 - started 6 months ago, have 2 stripes and am competing next month! ( with all the 40+ whippersnappers )

[@devitomichael]

47 years old, been training for about 3 months at both a competition school and a self defense school, and my 47 year old 3 months of Jiu-Jitsu self could beat the crap out of my 26 year old 2 years in Kenpo Karate self purple belt!

[@christuxford4462]

Royce Machado Gives me hope too. 49 with my first white stripe. Have no idea why they gave it to me. I spend my whole time defending or getting myself into positions that I realise I have no idea to finish. I might get better by the time I'm 55. My striking is ok though, so I guess that's something... shrug...

[@nextlevelmartialarts]

Just an update...my dad is now 80 years old and is training during the Coronavirus quarantine. He knows the risk. He just loves to train and be on the mat with everyone ❤️

[@nbecherbleachundcodein9940]

Great bro keep things up watch out for your pops

[@nextlevelmartialarts]

n'Becher Bleach und Codein he turned 81 last month. He still trains 3 days a week

[@nextlevelmartialarts]

@@petero6743 no worries there. We know there are always risks with grappling training, but we try and train hard and intelligently; taking care of each other

[@Kaledrone]

Is he still alive?

[@clintonoshea]

It's one thing to get a black belt in other martial arts. But in Brazilian jiu jitsu, it's a really big deal - those things aren't given away for just turning up. Fair play, oul' fella. Hope to see you rolling for a long time to come. #NoExcuses #NeverTooLate

[@skatasxesidi8953]

if you go to Brazil in many cities and pay they give it just for turning up man. i know that from a fact. but full respect tho to the dude :) keep rolling

[@clintonoshea]

skAtas xesidi Is that right? Can you name the gyms? I know a hell of a lot of top names in the jiu jitsu world, so I'll enquire and make sure everyone knows the name of these academies. Can you name any of these black belts too, or who awarded them?

[@skatasxesidi8953]

i can do that. i will tho need to be sure about the information. i will contact you when i have everything. and are you really that surprised? in a country like Brazil (i love Brazilians) where the people do not have much money to live or feed there families? some of them they really do not care. my coach was training 6 years in Brazil. And he also loves Brazilians but he saw also a lot of shits, where cocky Americans and Europeans just went to the schools paid the money and the instructors just gave the belts. but to be fair that was happening in 2003-2006. bjj was not that big as today. sorry for the late reply also. i am not the technology type of human..

[@clintonoshea]

skAtas xesidi Yes, I'm extremely surprised. Of all the martial arts out there, BJJ is the strictest when it comes to awarding black belts. It's all down to lineage: when people see a black belt practitioner, they need only ask whom they trained under. Their qualification is then easily verified. If this black belt turned out to be awful, then whoever awarded it would get a horrendous reputation and the black belt would be named and shamed as a fraud. My lineage is Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Braulio Estima > me. Easily verifiable, and if I decided to lie about my qualifications, I would be found out very quickly. If Braulio was in on it, it would ruin his reputation. Hence the lack of fraudsters in jiu jitsu. As for having barely enough food to feed their families: I don't think there are many 2nd degree black belts (you must be AT LEAST at this level to award a student a black belt) who are that poor. By the time you get to that level, you're probably pretty famous and have your own academy. And if any were desperate enough to sell a fraud a black belt, it would completely undermine the credibility of the professor/master and their academy. News travels very fast in the jiu jitsu community and fakers are not tolerated.

[@skatasxesidi8953]

yea what you are saying is truth and i am sure you are a legit black belt sir but saying that there are not gyms giving out easy bb thats just not true. thats all i am saying :)

[@herberthenderson9453]

I just started this week as a 62 year old white belt. He is such an inspiration. He shows it can be done through persistence, patience, and hard work. My hat is off to him.

[@hadidta]

I’m a 56 year old white belt,James is the bench mark 👏🏽

[@maxhope7691]

go go go

[@jaymac7203]

That's kind of you to say thank you 😭 lol

[@johnfiskin4188]

That's inspiring. These people are lucky to have a guy like that to roll with, not only for Jiujitsu knowledge but life experience.

[@randyvillegas5895]

At that age to put your time and dedication to something as hard as bjj is amazing. Gotta respect him. I know after a 12 hour shift sand blasting a preceip have to force myself to even go train. So yeah respect

[@maxhope7691]

I feel very inspired after watching this. I am 50 yrs old, just started do BJJ, hope I can get a black belt before I turn 80. (If I am still around)

[@ricozam7733]

This gentleman is an inspiration. I'm 49 and just got started in Jiu Jitsu a few months ago. So far i haven't earned any stripes, only a couple of injuries, but I'm not quitting.

[@milkbunnies]

You sir...are a legend...

[@drexlwashingtonian2978]

Thx

[@willwest825]

Black bely?

[@daselmojo]

ffs i saw that too hahahah

[@molonlabe459]

Wonder what couch potato down voted this?

[@raywill2007]

It's extremely awesome that Dad gets his black belt at the same gym his Son owns. All in the family.

[@chuckduncan9098]

Thanks for the motivation. I'm a 73 yo 1 stripe white belt.

[@dimpap9659]

0:25 The only MAN in the world to have a ''Black bely ''in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . Well done Sir !

[@neonbelly9491]

yeah lmao they even named the gym owner incorrectly. lazy editing, someone's getting canned

[@jordanrock3494]

Just realized this is seven years old, I hope he's made it to second degree by now and is still rolling.

[@lHurtYourFeeIings]

Most martial arts you can get a 1st degree black belt in about five years, I don't mean American Mcdojo either. Even martial arts taught in Japan. But BJJ they take the BB very seriously. Good job man.

[@dubla321]

GoldenPimp not all bjj dojos do. there are plenty of ppl w a bb that dont deserve it. a bb in bjj means more than most belts in martial arts. bjj is a very very technical very versatile martial art. where in karate its mostly horizontal combat and defense. judo can also be applied to this. a black belt in bjj is prestigious. its like a gold medal in brazil. its a way of life and a promise on a code of respect and humility. its in my opinion the pinnacle of what life can be about. i have seen so many changed by bjj for the better. honestly helio gracie founded something that has transcended cultures. broken down walls built up by centuries of war and hatred with countries. its one of the most beautiful things in this world and it means more than most things in my life.

[@danieljulian5172]

There were people at my taekwondo dojo getting a bb in 2 years lol. Then I go to jiu jitsu and it takes me almost the same amount of time to get a BLUE belt

[@spiritsplice]

Giving a BB to this guy is the opposite of taking it seriously.

[@Jakesnakeryan]

GoldenPimp Thats most Martial arts, a real Martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can take an average from 8 to 10-Years, every Belt has an average of 2-Years, then 1-Year from Purple to Black. Then Degrees take, three years at each Stripe.. Jiu-Jitsu is the hardest belt to earn, you will never see a 12-year old wearing a BJJ Black.

[@davidalarid16]

@@spiritsplice are you saying he is not deserving of it because he is old?

[@randerson-mm5kq]

Inspirational! 68 at purple. There’s still hope!

[@BK_2016sr5]

RIP James. Thanks for all the memories

[@magcitrate]

Hi. Can you elaborate?

[@sgt7]

I'm a 42 year old white belt. Due to a serious physical illness that I've had for 20 years, I was confined to watching MMA on the internet. I loved it even though I couldn't take part. I went through difficult rehab over the past five years (due to new treatments becoming available) and started BJJ about 6 months ago. I'm training 100% without any significant health problems. We have limits but always do your best. You will never know your limits unless you try to consistently aim to do your best ;)

[@reapergs5970]

My deepest respect for this black belt. I’m a 52 yr old blue belt and wish I had his drive. A true inspiration!!

[@SuperSneakySteve]

Awesome to see! I'm glad that school is mature enough to recognize him as a black belt for his hard work and knowledge.

[@tiagopariol]

Really Cool ! What a life example ! Really hope that my health is equaly as awesome as his when I reach his age ... did I see Balck Bely at 0:26 ?

[@axwack]

52 year old. Just started with my kids. It'd hard but I love it. I want to roll with my kids. It's awesome bit be careful for injury

[@tawil221273]

"Beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young."

[@TheHitman-]

So unoriginal, doesn't apply here. You don't die in jiu-jitsu and it isn't a profession.

[@tawil221273]

@@TheHitman- You didn't understand the quote. You must be very stupid.

[@curewish574]

There's only a limited no. of things you can't do as you age; and that too because our societies were conditioned to accept such fallacies (mostly employment related.... Some of the most worthwhile / satisfying stuff in life comes later, when you are more aware / have the capacity of reflection. Age after all is mental construct - we don't know whats really going on ! Kudos to this great guy; hope he's still inspiring us at 94.

[@joeyc4473]

LATINOS UNIDOS LATINOS THE STRONGEST: He's NOT an Old Man, but an Old IRON WARRIOR 💪🔥🏆 I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR HIM!!

[@Mdrnsamurai]

They could have spelled Black Belt correctly. Way to go Graphics Guy you had one Job!

[@alanguages]

Maybe the graphics guy is a white belt with no stripes in graphics. lol

[@dguerreiro01]

He had 2 jobs and fucked both.

[@GSMillion]

I strive to be like this guy when I get to be his age. Respect ✊🏻

[@bizznick444joe7]

I'm 36 years old. I seriously wish I could turn back the clock at least just 10 years and start up. Then again I feel like I would have given up early in my 20s because honestly my mind wasn't all there I just went in life on what my parents wanted.

[@audaciouscitizen.9313]

Inspired.

[@mikoajmaslonka9745]

I thing someone from his family come to USA from Poland because he have Terlecki surname

[@misoadeio]

He is hardly moving… but no one dares to tell him! Emperor’s new clothes!

[@905legends]

30 years and just got his black belt? Dude should be like a 2nd degree black belt by now that's when you know someone is in it for the love of the journey when they aren't chasing belts. My coach is the same way, 20 years in and he just got his black belt

[@FBA-Renaissance]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 THERE'S VERY VERY VERY GOOD HOPE FOR ME FOR SURE!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@benoduartebd]

It's not hard, just go to class and comit bro I got my blue and still miss bjj but working all the time I had to give it up. If you can afford to go and your family doesn't resent all the time you spend there go for it!

[@mwithers13]

That old man BJJ is painful. Then round white belts better be careful lol

[@TheRumblerz]

black bely (lol)

[@eletronarcose]

HAHAHA

[@shevetlevi2821]

A remarkable achievement. I'm 67 and I've practiced mostly Okinawan karate for about 50 years and have a blackbelt but I have to admit that a BJJ blackbelt is much harder to earn than karate. It's a more challenging art to learn. I started BJJ the week of my 60th birthday, stayed with it for 3 years earning a 3 stripe bluebelt when I got a really bad hand injury and hung it up. I don't regret a single day training in karate but I wish BJJ was around when I was younger and wish I had started younger. Mr. T is an inspiration to me. Respect to all practitioners of legitimate martial arts.

[@shevetlevi2821]

@Carl Harrington Good going. I remember reading an article in either Blackbelt magazine or Karate Illustrated in the 1970s about a sensei that was training a wheelchair bound student. At first the teacher and student didn't know how they'd do this but they learned to adapt and made the wheelchair itself into a weapon and learned how to move efficiently in the wheelchair. The wheelchair arms were detachable and pulled out of the main frame and together they learned to use the 2 stainless steel wheelchair arms like kama and tonfa, traditional Okinawan weapons. The yardstick shouldn't be measured against other people, only measured against where you started from. Stay safe.

[@josephcarslake3759]

First off Martial Arts are not Sport. Neither is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a very tough and as the man said a very physical Combat Sport. Ignorance is bliss ov course so anyone throwing a kick or wavig a fist in way that makes others think they know what they are doing is classified as "martial arts! I see that Krav Maga is now classed as a "martial art" which it is not, Krav Maga is defence system designed originally for the battlefield, and is not a Martial Art, you dont teach a Martial Art dressed in pink spandex, and you dont smash peoples faces in demonstration using a dummy rifle either. Before any "reporter" gnaws on the subject of Martial Arts they need to study a little about what actually constitutes Martial Arts, Combat Sports and peoples perceptions of what they are.

[@AceSmith84]

WTF? Who the hell are you? Who made you a authoritarian of martial arts? If you boil all martial arts style down, it is simply a fighting style!

[@josephcarslake3759]

AceSmith84 Experience Sonny, something you know nothing about! 56 Years of training in all the Arts not in a sport created by a Japanese nut job high on rage and a Brazilian gentleman who knew about Martial Arts, which is obviously more than you do!

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

If darts and golf are "sports", BJJ is a sport too. Have you ever rolled? I doubt it.

[@bane3991]

Jiu Jitsu is both a martial art used for fighting, AND a sport. What kind of person would say BJJ isn't a sport?

[@Brandon-ob9rg]

I wonder if he still trains....he'd be 81 this year!

[@jonahbranch5625]

I'm only in my 20s, guess I don't have to start for a while

[@markellis5008]

I'm 58 years old and white belt. There's hope for me yet.

[@TeleVernon]

#respect

[@Byakuya79]

The Jiujitsu force brought me here, and now I have no excuse. Black belt no matter what.

[@7Earthsky]

I keep hearing a saying..''A black belt is a white belt that never quit''...Makes sense to me.

[@Leo-iq7um]

enjoy the process

[@conniesmithers9135]

Hell of an accomplishment at a young age--74 incredible. :)

[@themerpking8445]

They forget to mention his 30 years of martial arts experience

[@chopsueykungfu]

Cool! I'm planning to take up BJJ in Jan 2022, I'll be 62 at that time. He began it about that age.

[@travisspoerer9257]

OSS

and here I am thinking 32 is too old....

[@Anchorcornholio75]

I went to this place and my mom fought he was in the war

[@c0mputergenius7]

The 38 year old guy at 1:23 looks young for his age

[@TheTattooedRonin]

I am 32 and a white belt! Gonna keep going no matter what. Love the martial arts so far. I will update everyone with my vlogs if you wanna follow along or share your thoughts and journey as well.

[@Anthony126517RKO]

Got to respected that ! OSS

[@MrDareDaring]

He's not black belt. He's a black bely 0:25

[@1Faith1Fate]

I hope I have his strength when I'm 74! Most impressive.

[@mypawgi]

whats a "BLACK BELY?"

[@axsdnied1]

Looks like there's hope for us all :)

[@LaserrSharp]

His son is 38 and looks 20. What do these people eat?

[@Zoddxyz]

+Louis O. They eat sport every day, :-)

[@LaserrSharp]

True but they must also eat good food.

[@Zoddxyz]

Yeah of course eating healthy when you practice is mandatory

[@tntgdh]

+Louis O. jiu jitsu dude...it does that

[@joeylopez9139]

Laser Sharp genetics

[@kylieminou7775]

In the karate dojos you get black belts if: you are member of a family group, let's say Mom, Dad, Junior and Lil' princess, you are the instructor current main squeeze, or his girlfriend, or his friend, or rich, or young, or good enough to compete, all those categories breeze through the ranks and get their black belt in 2 or 3 yrs. If you a paying single member, older female, not hot, or not willing to date the instructor, forget it. In BJJ is all by merit and time on the mat, period. Of course not everyone will be awesome, competing and winning medals, not everyone is young, or athletic, but they reward effort and dedication, that you give it all you can within your capacity. Grading is not calling some "sensei" and make you pay 150 bucks so some guy qualifies you in 10 minutes, regardless if you've been training 4 times a week for the past two years since your last "grading". Of course, your "instructor" will tell the "sensei" to pass the ones who are his favorites, or paying lots of money. In BJJ they are watching you all the time you are on the mat, not just 10 minutes. I fell in love with the art on my first class, never looked back. Still love karate by itself, but all the bullshit ruined it for me.

[@mcdevitt10]

You can't mess with that old man strength

[@dvd08270]

Keep it up Terleckis! Edit: I'm a 38 year old white belt with a 9 year old grey belt son. The goal is to keep rolling together until we both have grey hair and black belts.

[@krzysztofp7846]

Panie Terlecki pozdro z Polski, duch nie zginął, zawsze walczymy do konca!!!

[@rstscott]

Shit....I am a 43 year old white belt, and I am struggling physically. This guy gives me hope.

[@rjm_17]

I go here. The younger one is the owner/ Head coach. If you are in the Austintown area, I definitely recommend you check this place out. It’s awesome.

[@Perfectly_Balanced930]

Where is Mr. Terlecki now?

[@bjjneuwied6733]

He looks like is is 55 years old wtf

[@mazharcelaleddinkeskinocak9626]

His son is the instructor ? LOL.

[@emildegas4213]

Dang and I doubt myself sometimes for being a 31 year old judoka, this is truly inspirational.

[@nycbk9043]

is he stilling living and training?

[@hi-q2261]

Black belt in pitty 🤣

[@rjm_17]

I go to the same martial arts school as him.

[@kylefee4822]

But is he still training

[@jam4355]

👏🏼to James Terlicki. I’m 49 and used to roll in BJJ. Much respect sir. 👊🏼

[@Glenn1967ful]

Respect, I'd like to learn something like BJJ to keep fit as I'm 52, but due to coronavirus, the man who was due to set up a club near me has postponed it. This looks a lot more fun than striking arts that I find too rigid and boring and became disillusioned with in my twenbties.

[@junomaranan1101]

Goes to show that if you keep moving at any age, mind & body will find purpose & fulfill it.

[@glenw-xm5zf]

He does not look 74

[@irockz281982]

Oss!! Keep rolling motivator. Jiujitsu for everyone.

[@4c00h]

Black bely 0:25

[@FrozenVodka1]

Black bely

[@GhostOfTazio]

Hespect

[@gumtreekoala987]

Black BELY LOLLL

[@charliepearson3661]

Congrats sir! your story has been shared at Lockflow.com. What a great example for all of us.

[@rbujold1545]

Awesome. 48 still going . Inspiration to keep at it. THANK YOU

[@zenmachine925]

Thats amazing! What a champ. Very inspiring story....age is just a number!

[@kevincraig5311]

Just fuckin awesome. No other way to describe this

[@tahi0137]

Black bely

[@Bushcraft242]

In the 70s judo then karate now 59 personal trainer specialist sports nutrition 22 years

[@Daniel-yo5es]

lol, they are not rolling hard with you brother... even so... great job.

[@MrTrevor181]

Excellent - Keep on rollin'!.

[@sliderx1897]

"black bely"?

[@itsthemuscledad38]

It says "black bely, brazilian jiu jitsu" 😂

[@oftenKICKEDbaby]

Following in the footsteps of Master Helio. Jiu jitsu for life!

[@kipallen8793]

Congrats!*

[@xtractstudios]

I salute you Mr James Terlecki!!!!!!!!

[@Jacob-ps5cl]

That last couple of sentences he said was just so pure. I could feel the sincerity behind those words. That was touching.

[@Artist21st]

awesome!

[@yatsol4026]

respect

[@BFerreira82]

Impressive! Hats off to this gentleman !

[@stevenconnolly28]

And I thought 37 was too old to start. Respect 🙏