BENDIGO’S Stewart Moulden has become the first exponent from central and northern Victoria to be promoted to the prestigious rank of Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt.Moulden joined an exclusive group of dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners around the world to earn the title.In his 18-year journey, Moulden has teamed up to be instructed by many of the best in the world.He has fought Jiu Jitsu matches at state, national and international level.He has competed in five Australian championships, winning a string of silver medals, and represented Australia at the South East Asian Grappling Games in Bangkok in 2005, and the World Grappling Championships in New York City in 2006. He has assisted state and national champions at all levels.Moulden is humble about what he has achieved.“It’s generally not something that I speak about in my daily life,’’ Moulden said.“Although I have been in the media before, it’s not something that I would bring up at work or at the dinner table.“I have never claimed to be Australia’s next best amateur or professional Jiu Jitsu champion, which I may add is two completely different levels of competition, but I have had the pleasure of training with and fighting against many of the best amateur and professional levels Jiu Jitsu fighters in the world.“I am happy to share my experience with anyone who is prepared to listen.’’Moulden said reaching professional black belt level in Jiu Jitsu has always been a goal.“I’m extremely fortunate and still absolutely shocked that it has actually happened.”But I have had a lot of help along the way. “For one, my Jiu Jitsu coaches, John Will, Jean Jacques Machado and Michael Johnson have been fantastic to me, and more recently the drug-free powerlifters at Jason Colson’s Gym have helped me overcome injuries I thought I would never fully recover from.“Also all my students who continually push me every time I hit the wrestling mat with them. “All these people have played a huge role in my Jiu Jitsu training and without them I could not have achieved what I have today.’’The founders of the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the Gracie family and their cousins, the Machado Brothers who were multi world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champions moved to the USA in the 1990s to spread their family art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.Whilst in the US the Gracie family issued a challenge to all professional fighters from different styles to compete in one competition to see who would claim victory.The competition was to be held in America. It was called the Ultimate Fighting Challenge, or as known to most, the UFC. Royce Gracie represented the Gracie and Machado family and won the first three UFC competitions.From that moment onwards, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became the fastest growing martial art in the world and continues to this day to dominate all grappling and no holds barred competitions throughout the world.One of the things that separates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from other martial arts is the importance of competition and live sparring.Sparring is considered essential to a student’s progression.This is a 'live' martial art where one can go 100 per cent, and that constant training against fully resisting opponents sets it apart from more traditional arts.The Bendigo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Centre trains at 51 Breen Street in Golden Square.For more details about joining the club, phone 0418 509 023.