Philip Smith and SmithBJJ Club

Phillip Smith was introduced to Jiu Jitsu in 1996 at Warner Air Force base in Robins, GA. In 1997 Smith began to train with Romero “Jacare” Calvalcanti. After several years training in the sport, and a brief hiatus to earn his Master’s Degree in International Relations, Smith trained under and received his Black Belt from Roberto Traven. He still trains with and is affiliated with Roberto Traven and the Brasa team.

Under the Jiu Jitsu Professor LLC umbrella, Smith owns and operates his academy, Smith Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, in McDonough, GA. Here, Smith has 26 students and four other highly decorated instructors, including a law enforcement specialist and MMA trainer. His top student and fellow instructor Chris Haraszti won his division in the Pan American with no points scored against him.

Smith feels that the future of BJJ is with the children involved in the sport. To further this end, Smith has developed his own children’s program, Dragon Power-Jitsu.  The core of the program is based on developing coordination, self-discipline and agility, as well as setting a solid foundation for Jiu Jitsu. It also incorporates activities from other sports, so that the child is well rounded and prepared for any activity he may be involved with. Smith also likes to include the parents in the training session, and often invites them to join their child on the mat.

Smith joined our Jiu Jitsu organization because he shares our vision of Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics. He feels we are more disciplined and organized than other organizations and will succeed in our dream. Working from that perspective, Smith joined because he wants to be involved from the beginning.

So Phillip Smith, we welcome you to USA Jiu Jitsu and thank you for sharing our vision!

Will Hiott with a few of his students

While many of our member schools have a kids program, Will takes it to the next level. Will volunteers much of his time working with a program called Performance Initiatives. Performance Initiatives is a Savannah based not for profit organization dedicated to helping others by using athletics and fitness. The children the program works with have little opportunity, and live in the rough parts of Georgia. Will has 29 students from this program, all on scholarships.

Will’s mission with his students, who all range between 7-18, is to teach kids to not fight, through Jiu Jitsu. While that may sound odd on the face of it, we all know Jiu Jitsu forces you to learn self-control and self-discipline. Hopefully with these skills taught to them at an early enough age, it will help them stay in school, and off the streets. He wants his students to deal with verbal conflict before resorting to physical conflict. Will says his Jiu Jitsu class for the kids is about developing themselves.

For those of you in the Savannah area, the Performance Intiatives program does rely on volunteers, and Will said he would love to have some help. Right now, he teaches by himself. Will even includes his two year-old twins and seven year-old in his program. It’s never too early to start setting a good example.

Will joined USAJJ because he loves that we’re unifying the sport. Only by working together can we bring our Olympic dreams to fruition. Will also feels that having a Black Belt Council to formally oversee and grant recognition in the sport is a big plus as well.

If you live in Savannah, GA stop by Will’s school for a visit, and maybe volunteer some time. Also, March 20th, Iron Will Jiu Jitsu is celebrating their first year anniversary with a belt test and seminar, so stop by and check out the festivities. You can also connect with them on Facebook.

USA Jiu-Jitsu exists to promote Jiu-Jitsu as an amateur sport in order to encourage the International Olympic Committee to include Jiu-Jitsu in the games.

Your membership supports that effort!

New Breed Jiu-Jitsu owner Johnny Ramirez explains what USA Jiu-Jitsu membership does for the jiu-Jitsu athlete. Watch the video to hear what he has to say.

What do you think? How would USAJJ benefit you? Leave us your opinions here!