Refusing a promotion?

[Neil_D]

After the thread on demotion, I wondering can you or has anyone ever refused a belt promotion because they did/do not feel ready?

[6million$man]

I think it would be disrespectful to your instructor to turn down a promotion. If u don't feel worthy, work hard and prove to yourself you deserve it!

[rjd]

Theres been rumours round my gym about my team m8 getting promoted he mentioned to me, it scares him that much he has not trained for 3 weeks and others have been promoted, he told me Purple is a HUGE belt and he honestly does not think hes ready for that yet, rather just chill and do his own thing no added pressure or target on his back. or its his ego....... what if i get tapped what if i get tapped he said its keeping him awake at night.

[Rob T]

Refusing a promotion is basically telling your instructor you know better than them. I wouldn't do it.

[rjd]

Rob you have delt with that sheer pressure of holding your rank how did you cope at first?

[Rob T]

I don't understand how there is pressure. Getting a new belt isn't going to change what happens when I roll with people.

[rjd]

But it will affect the way others roll with you?, but I would imagine you have always been top of the food chain so to speak at GBS with only Chris and Braulio really giving you problems? So its not that bad?, if you can smash you can smash regardless of belt lol

[Rob T]

How would it change how people roll with me? When I went from blue to purple...

White & blue belts would already go flat out every roll when I was a blue belt, so nothing changed with them.

Then there were good blues/new purples who it would have been a tough fight before I got promoted. They all went flat out when rolling too and nothing changed after.

Lastly, there were purple/brown/black belts who could smash me... and again, nothing changed.


I seriously don't understand some people's thoughts about promotion. Surely the above is obvious?

[trev01]

the idea of refusing a belt is a disgrace and makes a mockery of other people who have earned the belt.

i was at the glasgow open where a white belt who won his category was apparently saying that he ' was offered his blue belt but didnt want it yet because the europeans are coming up and wanted more medals '

further more if your instructor thinks your due the belt, who are you to argue with him, he would not want you to represent him at that belt if he didnt think you are worth it.

Personally i would like to see the look on the black belts face if you refused your promotion!

[david5]

guy that rjd is talking about sounds like cockfaggot frens