Posted on December 8, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

Matt Somuk promoted to purple belt

Congratulations to Connecticut Gracie Jiu Jitsu coach Matt Somuk on his promotion to purple belt by Royce Gracie and Jim Hughes.

It was a great seminar in Pittsfield mass with longtime Royce Gracie students Mark and Connie Flynn. The Pittsfield/ Western Mass Gracie Jiu Jitsu crew is very enthusiastic and eager to learn” said Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Jim Hughes, Royce Gracie’s senior representative in New England. On hand was Brown belt Jim Harpe and his daughter and son. The Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu, self defense, and MMA organization is really a family oriented martial art said coach Harpe, head coach in Agawam.

Matt Somuk has been involved in martial arts for many years. He is a black belt in kenpo karate and has studied kickboxing and Krav Maga. “There is never a dull moment when Somuk is on the mat, he is super fun to train with except when he is on top and crushing the crap out of you” said someone who did not want to be identified out of fear that Matt would get on top of him and crush the living crap out of him.

Purple belt may in fact be the most important belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. It is an important acknowledgement of one’s ability and heart for representing the Gracie Family in it’s amazing martial art.

Congratulations Matt!