Sensei Jordan Diamond - an exceptional talent!
In 2009 a 10 year old girl walked through our doors for her first lesson in Jiu-Jitsu. She was polite but looked like she wouldn't say boo to a goose. I suppose it's a bit like dogs, it always the small ones you have to look out for, a boy was I right!
This young girl is Jordan Diamond. She showed a natural talent for Jiu-Jitsu and attended as many lessons as she could as her thirst for knowledge held no limit. In November 2009 she achieved her white belt, a first of many.
In 2011 I took the decision to leave our old federation as politics and financial gain was at the heart of the organisation and not the students. So the Independent Jiu-Jitsu Association was born. We wanted to push our students out of their comfort zone to show them what was possible. In the true IJJA spirit, Jordan excelled.
On Sunday 9th June, 2013 Jordan passed her Junior Black Belt. Over the next 2 years she has completed our Advanced Level syllabus which are all the techniques on the Senior syllabus which aren't covered by the Junior syllabus.
Today (Saturday 11th July, 2015) Sensei Jordan passed her Advanced Level 4 Certificate with distinction and was promoted from a Junior Black Belt to Sensei Jordan Diamond, Shodan (1st Dan) Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.
This blog is a personal thank you from me, Shihan Phil Newton, for all the effort Jordan has put into her training as well as the countless hours helping others. It has been a priviledge and a honour to witness Jordan change from the shy girl who first walked through our doors into the exceptional young woman that she is today.
We hope that Jordan's story will inspire others to take the IJJA journey as the only thing holding you back is yourself!
Shihan Phil Newton
President of the IJJA