Steffen Banta, a 23-year-old student at SMU received his black belt just 3 days ago (on December 18, 2022. While this may sound just like any other jiu-jitsu belt promotion in any other gym, it is not. Namely, Steffen is the most decorated brown belt ever to compete representing the US (according to the IBJJF rankings), and managed to win every competition in Gi and No-Gi in 2022.
Steffen Banta managed to earn the number one spot in the IBJJF rankings this year (2022) after competing relentlessly at every Gi and No-Gi tournament he could get to. This not only earned him the historic achievement of being the most decorated brown belt in America to date but also resulted in his promotion to black belt after the No-Gi Worlds.
“#1 Ranked, pound for pound, NoGi Brown Belt in the world @ibjjf. This year I’ve been able to hold the #1 ranking (overall for Brown Belts) in both Gi, and now No-Gi,” declared Steffen.
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Banta started training as a teenager and has been training for only 6 years before making history at brown belt and earning his black. The most decorated brown belt in America is now going to have to prove himself in the “big leagues” with all his idols being his perspective rivals from now on.
According to his Instagram account, Steffen is grateful to his teammates and parents for his achievements. The most decorated brown belt, now turned black belt, trains under João Gabriel Rocha in the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu gym in Dallas, Texas.
“2022 has been a long, and fruitful year, with a lot of mountain-top moments. None of them possible without the incredible support team I have behind me. Namely my dad, Michael. (@cityboygardener) He has traveled the country, and the world, the last few years chasing dreams with me. And he’s selflessly sacrificed his time, sick leave days, and work (as a councilor saving lives) to come to support me.
I want to thank my teammates and team: @alliancedallas. The biggest pillars of this team are my Professor @jgrocha who has believed in me, and nurtured me since I was a 17-year-old Bluebelt who wouldn’t stop showing up to “pro training.”
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