We have had a lot of promotions over the past 21 years of our school’s existence. In fact, we just had the 21st Black Belt promoted by our school, on 21 March 2025: Garrett Luoma. By a (partial) coincidence it was also his 21st birthday! Garrett is the one with the teal bar on his shoulder. The 5-person Black Belt Board is represented here. Fourteen of our 29 AJA-registered students are in this photo (center, right side) along with Garrett’s family (left). Yes, he had to show how he would defend himself against a green gun.
Garrett Luoma with his AJA Shodan (1st Degree) Certificate, presented by Wynn Sensei.
Garrett is the 21st Blackbelt promoted in the Vancouver Institute of Self Defense, which was established 21 years ago. Promotion date was on March 21, 2025, which is also Garrett’s 21st Birthday! Coincidences DO happen.
When you earn a Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) within the American Jujitsu Association, the AJA provides the black belt free of charge.