Coach/Instructor

The Petitioner failed to meet the minimum requirement of three evidentiary criteria, satisfying only those for awards and judging. Specifically, he did not demonstrate that his coaching techniques or the BJJ Tournament had a widespread impact on the field (original contributions) or that his roles at specific gyms were leading or critical. Consequently, the record did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is at the very top of the field.

The Petitioner satisfied only two criteria: awards (medals at IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian National Championships) and judging (refereeing competitions). The membership criterion was not met because the IBJJF black belt certification was obtained after the filing date and the requirements did not demonstrate a review of outstanding achievements by experts. The leading/critical role criterion was not met as the Petitioner's volunteer refereeing for three one-day tournaments did not demonstrate significant importance to the organization's outcome, nor was the organization's distinguished reputation established.

The appeal was dismissed because the Petitioner satisfied only one criterion (awards) instead of the required three. Specifically, the IBJJF black belt membership was found to be based on training requirements rather than expert-judged outstanding achievement, and refereeing was viewed as rule enforcement rather than judging. The Petitioner also failed to establish that athletic competitions qualified as artistic exhibitions.