Archive for February, 2010
USAJJ Welcomes Combative Grappling Systems of Greensburg PA
Posted by USAJJ in charter school on February 28, 2010
Combative Grappling Systems in Greensburg PA
USA Jiu Jitsu is getting bigger every day. Today we welcome Casey Leonard of Combative Grappling Systems!
Casey Leonard is the head of Combative Grappling Systems in Greensburg, PA.
He is a blue belt and trained under Rick Lucero. Mr. Leonard started learning Jiu Jitsu in southern California while serving as a Marine at Camp Pendleton. He won the Army Combative Championship in 2005, as well as other more local events. Mr. Leonard has been teaching since 2001.
Combative Grappling Systems has 35 students, which may seem like a lot, but Mr. Leonard says no. He encourages his students to work closely with each other, and says his students are more like a family. While that may be the case while dealing with each other, Mr. Leonard definitely encourages his students to compete in tournaments and events, saying that he tries to foster a competitive spirit in his students.
As a member of USAJJ his students will have lower entry fees at USAJJ sponsored events.
Also, Combative Grappling Systems focuses exclusively on Jiu Jitsu, though Mr. Leonard did say they would help any fighter train for an event.
USA Jiu Jitsu is proud to have Casey Leonard and Combative Grappling Systems as we move into the future of Jiu Jitsu! Connect with them on Facebook
USA Jiu Jitsu Welcomes Boyce Martial Arts In Winchester VA
Posted by USAJJ in charter school on February 27, 2010
Boyce's Martial Arts in Winchester VA
We would like to welcome Mike Boyce and Boyce’s Martial Arts to USA Jiu Jitsu!
Mike Boyce is an established instructor in the martial arts community. He has over 25 years of experience in several arts such as Taekwondo, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Shotokan Karate, Silat and many other systems. He was trained by the world renowned Navy SEAL Frank Cucci and became an official representative of the Linxx Martial Arts System. He has a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcelo Alonso.
Mr. Boyce is also a certified Associate Instructor under Ajarn Chai Surisite (Master Chai) who is a world champion Thai Boxer and a Lumpinee Stadium champion.
Mr. Boyce joined USAJJ because he found other organizations lacked support and were not as student centered as he wanted. He feels his students will benefit the most from a relationship with USAJJ.
Of particular interest is Mr. Boyce’s philosophy about martial arts. He does not think martial arts should be about fighting. He thinks it is important to instill a sense of honor and integrity in today’s youth and hopes to firmly implant these ideals in his students. Students at Boyce Martial Arts learn in a non-competitive, supportive, and friendly atmosphere. Their organized and goal-oriented martial arts program allows individuals to focus and concentrate on achievement, and building and reinforcing a strong code of personal excellence.
Boyce’s Martial Arts has also made large gains in teaching disabled students. Currently enrolling two students with Asperger Syndrome, the school has had success with students with other disabilities as well. Mr. Boyce credits the success the school has had with these students to his wife Caroline, who is also an instructor, and the rest of his staff for making the effort to reach these kids. This is a noble endeavor, and really makes the point that martial arts are approachable by anyone.
If you live in the Winchester, VA area, stop by and check them out.
You can also take a look at their web page at Boyce’s Martial Arts.
Once again, congratulations to Mike Boyce and Boyce’s Martial Arts! USAJJ is proud to have you onboard!
2nd European Jiu-Jitsu Championship Coming In September!
Posted by USAJJ in european tournament on February 26, 2010
2nd European Jiu Jitsu Championship in Switzerland Coming Up
There’s exciting news from across the pond:
The Second European Jiu Jitsu Championship is being held on September 18th and 19th!
The tournament will take place in Morges, Switzerland.
The event is being organized by Henri Straehler, the head of Switzerland Jiu Jitsu and also a member of Jiu Jitsu International.
This is a big event, and will draw Jiu Jitsu practitioners from around the world. It is an excellent opportunity to see what’s going on in the world of Jiu Jitsu, and see techniques and training styles from across the globe.
Ticket prices are €60 Euros through August 20th and €80 Euros through September 10. That’s about $80 and $108 dollars respectively. There is no fee for competitors.
Henri is working with local hotels to arrange for discounts on accommodations. He also suggests that groups who are interested should make contact as soon as possible, so he can arrange for the best price. The event location is close to the airport, train station and highway, so travel is a non-issue.
This event is sure to be a lot of fun. As we get closer to the date, we’ll post more information as it becomes available, so check back soon!
USA Jiu Jitsu Takes Action To Help Kids From The Favela In Rio De Janeiro
Posted by USAJJ in Social Causes, featured on February 23, 2010
Picture of Rio de Janeiro's Favela
Between December of 1987 and November of 2001, 3,937 residents of Rio de Janeiro under the age of 18 died a violent death. That is over eight times the number of minors who died in the West Bank (between Jordan and Israel) in the same time period. Being a child is hard enough without fearing for your life from gangs and drug lords. The only option for most of these children is to join with the drug lords and become a soldado, which only perpetuates the circle of violence. This is the life of several children in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, the slums.
However, USA Jiu Jitsu is trying to help change things for these unfortunate children.
Working in tandem with the BOPE, a special task force of the Rio police force that is feared by criminals and highly respected by everyone else, USAJJ is providing assistance trying to get kids into Jiu Jitsu, not drugs.
Gilson Fernandez, 3rd Degree Black Belt
“Papa” John Gorman has partnered with Gilson Fernandez who is a member of USAJJ and Jiu Jitsu International. Mr. Fernandez is not only a Jiu Jitsu trainer and BOPE special agent, but is also a 3rd degree Black Belt and trains Jiu Jitsu referees.
The mission of the program is to encourage children to set positive goals and then reward the students when they are reached. The goals that are set include things like learning English and going to school. The children are taught Jiu Jitsu in the same training center as the BOPE, which is one of the safest places in Rio de Janeiro.
USAJJ has been helping to provide gis and equipment. Papa John feels this is a chance to give back to the nation that founded our sport. They really do need our help, and we are proud to support the BOPE cause.
If you have a gi that is too small, or you just want to help, please contact us.
Papa John with Gilson Fernandez and the Favela Kids at BOPE
Papa John has made a deal with a manufacturer of gi’s to provide them at $25 each for these kids, so any kind of donation you make can contribute to keeping a fellow Jiu Jitsu practitioner off the streets and in school.
Maybe with the help of USA JJ, today’s favelas children will be tomorrow’s Jiu Jitsu Olympians!
You can read more about the terrible conditions in the favelas here
Seminar With Grandmaster Flavio Behring a Resounding Success
Posted by USAJJ in jiu jitsu grandmaster, seminar on February 22, 2010
GM Flavio Behring & Chris Stolzman at KnuckleUp Atlanta
On January 24th and 25th, “Papa” John Gorman and Chris Stolzman attended a seminar held at USAJJ affiliate KnuckleUp Fitness Atlanta featuring Grand Master Flavio Behring.
Flavio Behring is a 9th degree Red Belt in Jiu Jitsu, a rank he achieved under GrandMaster Helio Gracie himself. He shares that in common with the other three Grandmasters members of the Red Belt Council.
Grandmaster Behring started practicing Jiu Jitsu in 1947 at the age of 10. Training under the tutelage of Helio Gracie, Grandmaster Behring battled childhood illness and at 14 was chosen by Carlos Gracie to represent the school in an international match.
Grandmaster Behring has done technical demonstrations at universities, the Naval Academy in Annapolis and for the FBI to name a few.
Grandmaster Behring has also studied Judo extensively to further strengthen the potential of Jiu Jitsu. In November of 2009, Grandmaster Behring was made a member of the International Red Belt Council, cementing his place at the forefront of the Jiu Jitsu community.
GM Behring and some of the attendees at KnuckleUp Fitness Atlanta
The seminar was a resounding success. Over 100 people attended; it was a full house.
Papa John was honored to provide the introduction for Grandmaster Behring and spoke about the need for strong leadership and how the masters and grandmasters are an integral part of the sport. Grandmaster Behring then talked about the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu. He demonstrated the specifics of chokes and why they are misunderstood, and also discussed arm bars.
Afterwards, Papa John was able to sit and speak with Grandmaster Behring about the future of the sport, Olympic participation and the role of USAJJ in these endeavors. Hopefully their conversation will lead to new and exciting things in the near future.
If you missed this opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Flavio Behring in Georgia, make sure you see his son Master Sylvio Behring at the NTC in Washington D.C. Master Sylvio Behring is president of the International Black Belt Council and this is a learning experience you shouldn’t miss.
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