Congrats to Klint, Mikebyrd, and Katie!

December is usually a big time of year for grappling academies to have belt promotions (New Breed's is on December 19). For people getting promoted, it's like finding a little (or big) extra something under the tree, or near the menorah, or on top of whatever the iconic structure(s) is/are for Kwanzaa.

This year is no exception. And I'm very very happy to be able to report on the promotions of three great grapplers: Klint Radwani received his black belt from Team Yamasaki, Mikebyrd (yes, his name is Mike Byrd, but everyone calls him Mikebyrd) received his purple from the Yamasakis, and Katie Weilbacher received her black belt from Paragon (Franginha). Congrats to all three of them! I'l get to see Katie break in her belt next weekend at the Grapplers' Quest in Las Vegas. Well, it's a no-gi event, but maybe she'll wear it out after the tournament is over.

HUGE congrats to them. Apparently there is footage of Klint grappling one of his teammates who also earned the black this weekend; they are in their underwear and going at it in the snow. I'll have to find that link.