This thread title is a little tongue-in-cheek because plenty of people watching Kron Gracie compete over the past several months have expressed their conviction that Rickson Gracie's son and star pupil had long ago "earned" his black belt after making some of the most impressive tournament runs by a non-black belt ever.
Kron at Mundials
Here's a message board thread discussing Kron's incredible performance at the Mundials in 2007.
Kron at Gracie Nationals
And here's a message board thread discussing Kron's achievements at the Gracie Nationals.
Kron at Rickson Cup
Here's a thread about Kron's most recent performance at the Rickson Cup in Japan.
Kron as Purple belt
One of my favorite Kron threads. Purple belt here. Five fights. Five submissions. All in less than three minutes.
Kron Has Arrived
And here's the announcement from Rickson Gracie himself to the editors of Gracie Magazine:
"The time has come for the rookie to start representing my Jiu-Jitsu in the major league, let’s see what comes of it."
It has been great to see Kron's progress. I remember seeing him compete in the Pan Ams in 2005 as a purple belt. Kron put a choke on a guy that was so tight I thought he had decapitated him. Then there was the controversial match against Bill Cooper, a great American jiu jitsu guy. It is going to be a lot of fun watching him as he begins his black belt career.
Parabens Kron!