Tool's Maynard James Keenan Earns Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt ::Tool News ::antiMusic.com

Tool's Maynard James Keenan Earns Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt

06/02/2015
. (Prog) Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan has been awarded his purple belt in the martial art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The singer - who is also a member of Puscifer and A Perfect Circle - has practiced the grappling technique for years under the guidance of jiu-jitsu icon Rickson Gracie, but had been sidelined by injuries for some time.

But after picking up his training again recently, the 51-year-old was given his purple belt in recognition of his skill advancement. On Instagram, Keenan says: "While on family vacation in Hawaii, I was blessed with a curveball. The coach that gave me my blue belt years ago surprised me unexpectedly with a long, very kind, heart felt speech and my purple belt.

"It's taken quite a while to get here. I moved to an area that had no Rickson Gracie jiu-jitsu school in late 96 and had to commute back and forth to keep up training which just wasn't practical." Read more here.

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