On Saturday, January 17, 2025, Dave Meyer will be promoted to Coral Belt at Northwest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Seattle. The ceremony marks his elevation to 7th-degree black belt, placing him among a very small group, the earliest non-Brazilian practitioners to reach this rank.
The Coral Belt recognizes decades of teaching, mentorship and contribution to the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Meyer was part of the first 12 non Brazilian Black belts in 1996 and this promotion reflects a lifetime spent developing the art.
Rigan Machado, Meyer’s longtime instructor and one of the key figures in establishing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, will present the belt.
“Dave stands out for both his longevity and competitive accomplishments. He still competes at the highest levels at age 63 and is universally respected throughout our sport.”
Meyer’s career has included both competition and teaching at the highest levels. He has won eleven world championships and currently holds a world title in his age and weight division in no-gi grappling. As a coach, his students have included Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Gil Melendez and Ricco Rodriguez.
Alongside John Will, Meyer helped develop a grappling curriculum later adopted by Chuck Norris for his international karate federation. He has also authored multiple instructional books and created the Meyer Interrupts strength training system.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to be recognized in this way. This sport has been a passion of mine since I was a young child. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to train with and learn from extraordinary coaches, teammates and champions throughout my life.”
At 63, Meyer continues to compete, something he credits to structured training, recovery, nutrition and long-term learning alongside high-level training partners.
In 1998, two years after receiving his black belt, Meyer became the first American to medal at the black belt level at the World Championships in Brazil, helping establish that non-Brazilian athletes could compete at the highest tier of the sport.
Outside jiu-jitsu, Meyer co-founded Adopt-a-Pet.com and served as its CEO for twenty years, growing it into the world’s largest nonprofit pet adoption platform before its acquisition by Mars Inc. He currently serves as President and Co-Founder of Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, focusing on animal welfare, food systems and public health. His work has included advising U.S. policymakers and helping secure and distribute more than $160 million in philanthropic funding.
The ceremony will take place at Northwest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, 942 N 95th St, Seattle, WA 98103, beginning at 12:00 PM PT.
While only a handful of non-Brazilians have reached Coral Belt, Ken Gabrielson was recognized as the first non-Brazilian American to receive it in 2017, promoted by Reylson Gracie. Roy Harris received his 7th-degree promotion from Joe Moreira in December 2023.
Meyer has also taught at institutions such as UCLA and Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo. His book Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling has influenced many practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the sport.
Meyer’s promotion reflects not only his personal career but the broader development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, shaped by early practitioners who trained, competed and taught long before the art became mainstream.the art.
