Paul Walker Given Posthumous Honorary Black Belt
Paul Walker has been given a posthumous honorary black belt by the Fast and Furious Jiu-Jitsu teacher.
Franjinha Miller, who trained the late actor during the 'Fast and Furious' franchise for nine years, has posted a message about the star in the website and has given Walker an honorary black belt in memoriam, reported Us Weekly.
Miller posted in the Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu website and recalled his first impression of the movie star in 2004.
"A mutual friend had sent Paul my way, but I did not recognize him when he first walked in the door," said Miller. "In part, it was because he did not carry himself like a movie star, or a Hollywood big shot. Without the burden of a heavy ego, he was easy going with a ready smile. Like the Spartan setting of the gym, he was simple and unpretentious."
"We became fast friends. He brought me down to Ensenada for the filming of The Life and Death of Bobby Z. We travelled to L.A. to watch the UFC," he reminisced. "More recently, Paul had me in Montreal to add a personal touch to the fight scenes in his movie, Brick Mansion."
Miller also stated that the Hours actor wanted to promote Jiu-Jitsu on the big screen.
"He always wanted to showcase Jiu-Jitsu in his movies. Rather than the punches and kicks so common to many action films, he wanted to use his movies as a stage for Jiu-Jitsu," he added. "Some of the Jiu-Jitsu techniques from our training sessions were utilized in the Fast and Furious series. Paul would always tell me that he did not just want to be known for fast cars. He wanted to be known for fast cars and Jiu-Jitsu. He wanted to be an ambassador for Jiu-Jitsu."
Miller recollected a time when the two of them were talking about black belts.
"As I reflect back on his life, I remember one of our first conversations. Sitting in our gis on the mat, Paul was like many white belts; he wanted to know about becoming a black belt," said Miller. "I told him that at Paragon we don't give away black belts. I said that I didn't care who he was, I was not giving him a 'celebrity black belt.' He loved that! He said that he knew that he was starting late (he was 31), but he was determined to become a black belt. He said 'I will get my black belt, even if I need to get it in my coffin.'
"Now in the wake of his death," he added, "I would like to reward Paul Walker the black belt that he wanted so much during his life."