Everyone that says a belt isn't important to them is lying. If it wasn't important, then why are you paying 100 bucks a month or more for your training. Of course you want a belt to reflect the work you've put into training. Would waste time and money to go to college if wasn't going to produce a degree? No. If the nearest recognition you can get can only be given to you by a black belt 100 miles away, then you better get driving once a week. Oh yeah, compete.