If you are a real martial artist you would know that the belt is only  there to hold your gi together ....since blue belt....i started to wear just a white belt....as a reminder you are always a student and to keep me humble...knowledge is in you..the color of the belt is nothing, not even an accomplishment. Long time ago I had w friend who wrote down his goals, on of them was to become a black belt...I smiled...still have my white belt....doesnt change my level of knowledge...is just a belt...