Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Gi Or No Gi

I was reading different articles last night about Jiu Jitsu when I ran across a debate whether you should be striped/promoted in Jiu Jitsu if you have never put on a Gi.

I happen to side with the ones saying no you should not. Training/competing while wearing a Gi is the basic foundation of the sport. With that being said I do not see how you can be a true yellow, blue, blrown, or black belt if you have no techniques using the Gi. I don't understand what you're getting stripes on. The belt is a part of the Gi. You do not wear a belt out on the mat when you compete without a Gi on.

There are so many submissions and sweeps that are done while using the Gi. The Gi makes you have to be that much more technical in every aspect of the sport.

I am not taking anything away from people who only train no Gi. There are some very talented individuals out there who do not compete in Gi compititions. That's called Grappling.

Until you have been submitted with a piece of your own clothing you should not receive any belt rank in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Just because I know how to spray some water on a fire to put it out, does not mean that someone will hand me a badge and call me Chief.