Hey people! I was just curious. Did bruce lee actually have a rank? or was he just...a master with no belt/dan. If so, what was it?
Good Question Im not sure but I know bruce later didnt believe in styles, so he probally tossed his rank out the window, I also remeber him saying something like im not a master just a student master meaning he is still learning and researching his rank hmmmm
NoDan It has been recorded that Mr.Lee left China with no rank in Wing Chun. With no possibility to earn rank and become a master or even instructor of wing chun he could only take his own course. He created his onw style and became master of his own martial art. He ranked no one as expert or what is often called Dan level in other arts. Mr.Lee developed a student rank certificate but apparently gave out only two or three student ranks. Mr.Wong, I beleive earned student rank level 2 ( green belt) and Mr.Inosanto it is said owns a certificate with the student rank of level 3 ( brown belt). No black belt level students were ever named. Students of Brazillian jujitsu are permitted to teach at purple belt and considered very competent at blue and brown belt. It often takes eight years or more to earn the expert rating of black belt in BJJ...at least from a Gracie family member. It may be that Mr.Lee who had a form of MMA practice 20 years before it was created by the UFC may have also had a very long time in grade period. Some people, most people assume that the JKD student ranks of 2 and 3 are instructor or black belt level. They are only student ranks given to a few of Mr.Lee's personal students. Mr.Lee's JKD students would be ranked at green/brown belt only. Look at the back yard tapes available from the late-1960's work out sessions. These were green belts at best! Still, a green belt from Mr.Bruce Lee is something very few people ever received.
Mr.Lamar Davis may have sold copies of the backyard tapes at one time. Mr.Lee holds a focus pad while Mr.Inosanto and Mr.Wong try to hit it with a side kick. Not very impressive. But they were only students.
No rank, a rank, it dos'nt matter, good or no good, no matter either, what he done was open up a whole new can of worms to the public and if it were not for Bruce Lee all we would have is Judo and Karate to practice maybe with a bit of Aikido and Ju-Jitsu thrown in, no offence to the JMA guys all good arts in their own right. What he gave us was diversity which in turn made us think for ourselves which in turn gave birth to events such as UFC etc etc. So job well done really. regards Pat
I doubt it. I'm pretty that the James Coburn footage was the only one released to the public. And judging by that video one can not "assume" what rank any of the "real" students were.
naw mate, I am a druid, same unform, different outlook on life, any way we don't allow them over this side of the pond, they would get a tasted of their own medicine. LYNCHED:woo: regards Pat
why of course I am, and so is everyone else. after all, how good do you need to be to be able to beat him now
Hey..... .I back home with my wife and we are back out again for St. Patrick's Day (had to bring some cornbeef and cabbage....potatoe's ......carrots home for my son and daughter) HAPPY ST PATRICK"S DAY !!!!! My rank is "Student For Life and Forever Young At Heart" that me! Take It Easy, Pat Had a shot of BushMill's today my Dad and My Friend across the pond! John
Just in the middle of sinking a few myself, as it's only 9:50 at night here, could well turn into a long one. And this weekend will be a major heavy session, going down south to meet up with some of the old gang, kick each other about a bit, then get absolutely hammers. I'll make sure I sink a few for you John. Happy Paddy's day. Slange Pat
Nah, im aware that rank doesnt make anyone any better. I was just curious what rank he was. Coz I also thought he just trained forhimself without persuing a certain martial arts degree. but yeah. Also, todays fighters should be (and are) better than bruce lee. Alot has changed since then. And personally think that bruce's strength and fighting style wouldn't really be useful against some of the guys you see in the UFC these days. Thinks have just majorly changed i guess. (dont turn this into a conflict between the two!!!)
where did u get the idea that bruces strength and fighting style wouldnt really be useful against some of the guys in the UFC? you see shades of it everywhere. (now im not saying bruce was responsible for MMA) but you see cross training everywhere now a days. bruces style (if u want to call it that) was training to be efficient in all the ranges, which is what the UFC fighters train to do. how is that not useful?
