Gibsons Gracie Jiu Jitsu head instructor Shawn Phillips (centre) was recently awarded the rank of black belt in Torrance, Calif. After 11 years of training, 10 months of test preparation, and two days of intense testing, Phillips received his black belt from Ryron and Rener Gracie (left and right in photo) of the legendary Gracie family and grandsons of founder Helio Gracie. The black belt level in Jiu Jitsu signifies a specific mastery of self-defence, teaching ability, and technical proficiency in advanced sparring. “Being a black belt means that we understand the physical and philosophical aspects of the art and apply them in our lives,” said Phillips, who opened the first certified training centre in Canada on the Sunshine Coast in 2008. Now there are over 165 locations around the world. Classes are held three times per week at the Gibsons location.
