This past Saturday, June 6, 2026, Alliance BJJ Houston proudly celebrated one of the most meaningful traditions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—belt promotions. These moments represent far more than technical achievement; they symbolize dedication, perseverance, growth, and the countless hours spent on the mats overcoming challenges.
We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of ten students who reached major milestones in their Jiu-Jitsu journeys.
Each promotion represents years of hard work, consistency, and commitment to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We congratulate all of our newly promoted students and look forward to seeing their continued growth.
Tammy Payne Earns Her Blue Belt
At 56 years old, Tammy Payne earned her Blue Belt after four years of dedicated training at Alliance BJJ Houston.
Tammy’s journey has not been without obstacles. Throughout her four years on the mats, she has faced injuries that forced her to step away from training at times. However, what defines Tammy is not the setbacks she encountered, but her unwavering commitment to return stronger each time.
Rather than allowing challenges to derail her progress, Tammy consistently pushed forward, demonstrating the grit and mental toughness that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu demands. Her perseverance has become an inspiration to teammates and coaches alike.
Known for her strong work ethic, Tammy often trains multiple times a day, constantly seeking opportunities to improve her technique, conditioning, and understanding of the sport. Her dedication serves as a reminder that progress in Jiu-Jitsu is not measured by age, but by commitment, consistency, and heart.
Earning a Blue Belt is a significant milestone in any practitioner’s journey, and Tammy’s achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished through persistence and determination.
Scott Japalucci’s Six-Year Journey to Purple Belt
Another memorable promotion was Scott Japalucci, who earned his Purple Belt after a six-year journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Scott first joined Alliance BJJ Houston in 2020 and spent time developing his skills and building relationships within the academy. Like many practitioners, his path was not a straight line. After training with us for a period of time, Scott eventually moved on and continued his journey elsewhere.
This year, however, Scott made the decision to return to Alliance BJJ Houston.
His return speaks volumes about the culture, community, and relationships that make Alliance special. For Scott, Alliance was more than just a place to train—it was a place that felt like home. Seeing him come back to continue his journey with us made his promotion even more meaningful.
After six years of dedication to the sport, Scott’s purple belt is a well-earned achievement and a reflection of his persistence, growth, and commitment to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We are proud to have been part of his journey and honored that he chose to return to Alliance for this important milestone.
Jason Quilantan Earns His Black Belt
The final promotion of the day belonged to Jason Quilantan, whose journey to black belt was a testament to perseverance, resilience, and dedication. In a fitting and emotional moment, Jason received his black belt from his brother-in-law, John Garza, surrounded by the people who have supported him throughout his journey.
Before the promotion, Jason invited his family onto the mats to share in the special occasion. It was a powerful scene, made even more meaningful by the fact that many of his family members also train at Alliance. Standing together, they celebrated not only the achievement of earning a black belt but also the years of commitment and sacrifice that led to that moment.
Jason’s Jiu-Jitsu journey began before 2008 and has been anything but straightforward. Along the way, injuries and life’s changing demands forced him to step away from training on multiple occasions. He first joined Alliance in 2018 but was sidelined by injury shortly afterward. In 2024, he returned to the academy to support his son’s training, and by 2025 he had recommitted himself to his own journey on the mats.
Despite the setbacks and time away, Jason never lost his connection to Jiu-Jitsu. His promotion serves as a reminder that the path to black belt is not always linear. Through patience, determination, and a willingness to keep coming back, Jason achieved one of the sport’s highest honors. His black belt represents not just technical skill but also the persistence to overcome every obstacle that stood in his way.
More New Belts Across the Team
Tammy, Scott, and Jason headlined the day, but they were in good company. Ten students in all earned new ranks on June 6, presented by the academy’s coaches alongside framed Alliance certificates. From first-time blue belts to some of the academy’s newest faces, here are more of the students who leveled up.
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The Work Behind the Belt
Belt day is the celebration, but the work that earns it happens every week on the mats. Drilling, live rounds, and open mat sessions are where adult students at our Houston-area academy put in the reps — long before anyone ties on a new belt.
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The Journey Continues
Belt promotions are not an end point—they are markers along a lifelong journey of learning and growth. We are incredibly proud of all of our promoted students and grateful to have such a dedicated community at Alliance BJJ Houston.
Congratulations to our new Blue Belts, Purple Belt, and Black Belt recipient. Your hard work has paid off, and we look forward to seeing what comes next on your Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Whether it is Tammy’s perseverance through injury, Scott’s return to the academy where his journey began, or the years of dedication demonstrated by every student promoted, these stories remind us that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about much more than belts. It is about commitment, community, and the pursuit of continual improvement.
See you on the mats!
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