Actor Dave Bautista acquired a ceremonial belt whipping after incomes his purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu again in 2014, collaborating in a practice that has turn into a controversial however enduring ritual in fight sports activities.
Bautista started coaching at Cesar Gracie’s academy in 2010 and was promoted to purple belt in January 2014. The belt whipping ceremony, referred to as “the gauntlet” or “Corredor Polonês” in Portuguese, requires the newly promoted scholar to stroll or run between two strains of coaching companions who strike them with their jiu-jitsu belts. Video footage from Bautista’s promotion reveals the Hollywood star and former WWE wrestler strolling via the gauntlet shirtless whereas his teammates delivered the ceremonial strikes.
Actor Dave Bautista Promoted to Purple Belt at Cesar Gracie Academy, Completes Gauntlet Ritual
The custom, regardless of being extensively practiced, didn’t originate in Brazil as many assume. Chris Haueter, one of many first 12 non-Brazilian black belts in jiu-jitsu, is credited with creating the ritual within the early Nineteen Nineties on the Machado brothers‘ academy in California. Haueter has since expressed remorse about beginning the observe, telling the Partizan Grappling podcast that what started as a lighthearted initiation rapidly unfold and have become brutal. Inside a yr of its creation, practitioners had been reportedly placing their belts in Icy Scorching and utilizing extreme drive, prompting Haueter to say he wished he had by no means began the custom.
The gauntlet stays divisive throughout the jiu-jitsu group. Distinguished instructors together with Caio Terra and Fabio Gurgel have spoken towards the observe, with some calling it pointless hazing. Different academies just like the Roger Gracie Academy have opted for less complicated promotion ceremonies involving handshakes and applause. Supporters view the ritual as a staff bonding train and a method for coaching companions to collectively have fun a scholar’s achievement after years of shared wrestle on the mats.
Bautista continued training sporadically on account of his demanding appearing schedule with roles within the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and different Marvel movies. He was later promoted to brown belt in June 2023 after dedicating himself to constant coaching beginning in 2021. His purpose stays to earn a black belt beneath Cesar Gracie.
