Black Belts Currently under Grandmaster Relson

There are many black belts given by Relson across his career. His reputation is for being very hard on promotions, often taking 10-15+ years to attain black belt level. Here are all of the currently affiliated black belts and their promotion dates. Name - School/Affiliation - City, State - Date of promotion to Black Belt

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• Jeff Hudson (6th Degree Coral Belt) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 3/2003

• Sam Mahi (7th Degree Coral Belt) - Relson Gracie -Honolulu, HI - 4/14/2004

               Paul Kimo Kalaiwaa - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI 2011

               David Caraulia - Relson Gracie - Waterfront - Honolulu, HI - 02/26/2019

               Johnathan C. Bolton - Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Hawaii - Honolulu, HI - 6/20/2022​

• Kofi Debrah - Relson Gracie - 9/28/2005

• Jean Vandesteen (5th Degree) - Relson Gracie Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, BR
          Palmer De Maria - Relson Gracie Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, BR - 6/26/21

• Ronn Shiraki (7th Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 6/5/2006 

               Reyn Morimoto - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 2/18/2009

               Mark Kurano - Relson Gracie/Gracie Waikiki - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

               Gye Nitta - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

               Christopher R. Laird - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/11/2012

               Brad Scott - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -6/11/2012

               Dave Futa - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 5/17/2016

               Mitchell Johnson - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/18/2018

               Phil Baltunado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018

               Justin Nihei - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018

               Carter Lee - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019

               Shane Nakagawara - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019

               Antonio Criado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019

               Kalani Pacyau - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -10/8/2019
               Neil Verbrugge - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/18/2022
               Dr. James Scoggin - Relson - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 8/25/2023

• Matt Strack (5th Degree) - Soma Academy - Centerville, OH 6/10/2006 (Black Belt originally awarded by Pedro Sauer)

• Robin Gieseler (7th Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 8/16/2006 (started 94)
   ​     Vince Panzano - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 11/12/2006
        David Wilson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/24/2008
        Tony Zara - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/2011
        Matt Rigney - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/2011
        Tom Feister - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/29/2011
        David Tabron - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 5/6/2013
       Josh Simon (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 10/2/2014 (Black Belt originally awarded by Gracie Barra. First degree awarded by Relson - 3/6/2017)
       Carlos Mendez - One Academy HQ, Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 11/22/2019

• Mike Onzuka (7th Degree) - o2 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 4/4/2007

• Richard Giberson (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 10/8/2007
         Ivelin Ivanov - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Austin - Austin, TX - 06/03/2021

• Nathan Zigler - (6th Degree) - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 1/26/2008

               Heath Wigginton - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, Az - 12/16/2010

               Eric Smith - Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 2/2/2016

               Blayne Barlow - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018

               Dan Radoff - (1st Degree) - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018

               Michael Morales - Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018

               Josh Harrold - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019

               Jack Notebaert - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019

               Seta Reupenny - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019 (Gracie Arizona's 1st and Relson's 2nd Female Black Belt)

               Juan Berumen - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019

               Doug Moore - Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 1/28/2012

               Adrian Berumen - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
               Parker Zigler - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 6/18/24 (Relson's 4th Female Black Belt)

• Toney Waldecker (6th Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy - Sunderland, MD - 4/18/08

               Stuart Ramos - Team Maryland BJJ, Towson MD, - 12/2/11

               Isaac Ike Haertel - Kogen Dojo-Relson Gracie - Severna Park, MD - 02/27/2018

               John Gilbert - Relson Gracie - Columbia, MD - 11/9/2018

               Michael Stewart jr.- Rising Tide Academy - Columbia Maryland - 4/27/2019

               Jordan Stewart - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021

               Naqi Sayed - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021

               Stephen Miller - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021

               Dwayne Bowie - Kogen Dojo - Severna Park, Maryland - 06/12/2021

• David Wilson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/24/2008

• Shawn Chitwood (6th Degree) - Team Chitwood - Columbus, OH - 11/14/2008

• Michael Casey (6th Degree) - Gracie Jiu Jitsu New York - Bronx, NY - 1/24/2009     

               John O'Brien - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu NY- Bronx, NY - 11/14/2018​

• Chris Onzuka (7th Degree) - o2 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/2009

               Kaleo Auwae (6th Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

                       Chad Kam - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 11/27/2019

               Kaleo Hosaka (5th Degree) - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy -Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

               Robert Moss (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI - 4/2/2014

               Christopher Slavens - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017

               Travis Kashiwa (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017

               Andrew Kawada - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017

               Grant Arakawa -(1st Degree) - Relson Gracie o2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017

• Shane Agena - o2 Martial Arts Academy/Uptown Jiu-Jitsu - Aiea, HI - 2/11/2009

• Todd Tanaka (7th Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team HK Jiu Jitsu - Honolulu, HI - 7/22/2009

               Brad Nakamura - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 1/5/2017

               Kevin Tang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 12/9/2017

               Zachary Pang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017

               Shane Saito - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 4/17/2021
               Shaun Reyes - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 6/5/24

• Tony Zara - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/2011

• Matt Rigney - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/2011

• Patrick Madden - Relson Gracie Titusville - Titusville, PA - 6/12/2011
          Jaroslav "Yoda" Botka - Good Karma Jiu-Jitsu Academy (under Pat Madden) Meadville, PA - 9/15/2023

• Jeff Furuta (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie/Gracie Uptown - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

• Josh Lauber (5th Degree) - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011 

               George Mathai (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, Texas 9/2/2015

               Glenn Tillman - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 7/12/2022

               Tom Norris - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 7/12/2022

• Rhalan Gracie - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/2011

• Jim Hannan - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie DC - Fairfax county, Va -7/13/2011

• Dan Wallen (4th Degree) - Relson Gracie - Fightworks Academy - Greenville, SC - 7/13/2011

• Tom Feister - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/29/2011

• Craig Chitwood- Team Chitwood - Mansfield, OH - 1/20/2012

• Shane Briggs - Legion Martial Arts - Little River, SC - 1/21/2012

• Kayle Quinn - HNL Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Honolulu, HI - 5/30/2012
            Jason Takemura - HNL Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Honolulu, HI - 8/15/22
            Cameron Grimm - HNL Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Honolulu, HI - 8/15/22
            Donald Gaucher - HNL Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Honolulu, HI - 10/16/23
            Kawaiakea Abbley - HNL Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Honolulu, HI - 6/10/2024

• ​Makena White - Relson Gracie Association Honolulu, HI - 6/6/2012

• Steven Abood - Tokyo, Japan 8/18/2012

• Mark Stefanac - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 2/2/2013
           Nick Goldizen - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 3/28/2015
           Michael Cassesa - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio (now Gilbert, Arizona) 3/28/2015
           Ron Aderhold - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/2016
           Doug Kalin - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/2016

• Neil Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Lexington, OH 4/6/2013

• David Tabron - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 5/6/2013

• Tracy Hopkins - Bushido Martial Arts - Columbus, OH - 5/7/2013

• Tony Reel (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie Nevada, Las Vegas NV - 5/12/13

• Kyle Spendiff - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Maryland - Clarksville, MD - 11/1/2013

• Jerry Brewer- Gracie Charleston-Charleston, SC-12/03/2013

• Jim Thrift (4th Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/18/2014

               Mike Tran (3rd Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/14/2016                        

               Larry Foster - Calvert MMA / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 9/28/23

• Josh Simon (4th Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 10/2/2014 (Black Belt originally awarded by Gracie Barra. First degree awarded by Relson - 3/6/2017)

• Scott Phillips - Invincible Academy - Wylie, Tx. 1/15/2015

• Marco Moreno - Mastery Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 03/27/2015
        Jason Thompson - Mastery Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 10/2/23
        Cristian Garcia - Mastery Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 10/2/23
        Jeramey Jay Lopez - Mastery Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 10/2/23

• Gabriel Obiedo (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie Austin - Austin, Texas 09/02/2015

• Paul Joyner - Relson Gracie 601 - Meridian, MS 11/11/2015

• Drew Arthur - Relson Gracie Tyler / Lone Star MMA Academy, Tyler TX - 1/1/2017

• Patrick Gaul Jr. (1st Degree) - Team No Quarter - Greenville, SC - 02/22/2018

• Eric Olson - Gracie Combat - Ashburn, VA - 02/22/2018

• James Watkins - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie - 03/24/2018

• Brad Bukovics - Relson Gracie Orwell - Orwell, PA - ​3/23/2019
          Cody Lewis - Relson Gracie Orwell (Under Tony Reel & Brad Bukovics) - Orwell, OH - 8/26/2022

• Julio Lima - Relson Gracie Curitiba - BRAZIL - 4/27/2019

• Phil Clark - Phil Clark's Martial Arts Academy/Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky - Ashland, KY - 12/10/19

• Norbert Schaller - 6/16/2021

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• Names highlighted in RED = All promotions White Belt - Black Belt directly under Relson

• Names in BLACK = Tested and Awarded Black Belt by Relson

• Names in BLUE = Awarded Black Belt under their Instructor

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