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Introduce yourself - PART 3
6 year(s) ago • 180039 views • 532 replies
TMBlue beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Thank you Anthony!
MCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi everyone, I'm Matthew! I reignited my passion for the sport in 2021 after a deployment and am currently training at Ohana Academy in Texas.
ARBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi everyone, I'm Matthew! I reignited my passion for the sport in 2021 after a deployment and am currently training at Ohana Academy in Texas.
Welcome. :)
JABlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi everyone, I'm Matthew! I reignited my passion for the sport in 2021 after a deployment and am currently training at Ohana Academy in Texas.
Howdy Matthew! Welcome to beltchecker!
MCPurple beltVerified
NMBlue beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi Matthew.
RFWhite beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hello everyone!
I'm Rafa. I was born and raised in Miami, Fl; but living in Spain's north coast (Asturias to be more exact) for more than twenty five years now.
Practiced two styles of Karate before going to university and then started with WingChun ( with a more "European taste" to it, with more striking and pressure than what is usually done in the States nowadays - probably helps that my instructor was also involved in Full Contact and with the early days of Muay Thai in Spain).
Back to BJJ!
I've been really wanting to get into BJJ for some time now (leaving striking a bit to a side and going to what really interests me: neutralising rather than just going berzerker) and I'm lucky enough that a new gym opened next to where I live with some top notch instructors. So I got myself and my 5yo enrolled and we've just come today from our second class (obviously he's going to a junior's class in one mat and I'm going to and adults class in the other). Really stoked to get into BJJ and more so to do it at the same time as my kid.
Regarding my professor... He's Jorge "Gito" LaFuente (pretty well known here in Spain, being one of Tito Beltran's students and team members; and being Tito Beltran a BJJ pioneer here in Spain whilst being one of Robin Gracie's students. While "Gito" is the Head Coach in our gym he's got other instructors (black and brown belts) giving class depending on time and date, so we get to have a different taste every day.
Well, guess that's it for my presentation. Still trying to get a grasp of this community and how it works but I'm sure I'll do so soon.
Thanks!
I'm Rafa. I was born and raised in Miami, Fl; but living in Spain's north coast (Asturias to be more exact) for more than twenty five years now.
Practiced two styles of Karate before going to university and then started with WingChun ( with a more "European taste" to it, with more striking and pressure than what is usually done in the States nowadays - probably helps that my instructor was also involved in Full Contact and with the early days of Muay Thai in Spain).
Back to BJJ!
I've been really wanting to get into BJJ for some time now (leaving striking a bit to a side and going to what really interests me: neutralising rather than just going berzerker) and I'm lucky enough that a new gym opened next to where I live with some top notch instructors. So I got myself and my 5yo enrolled and we've just come today from our second class (obviously he's going to a junior's class in one mat and I'm going to and adults class in the other). Really stoked to get into BJJ and more so to do it at the same time as my kid.
Regarding my professor... He's Jorge "Gito" LaFuente (pretty well known here in Spain, being one of Tito Beltran's students and team members; and being Tito Beltran a BJJ pioneer here in Spain whilst being one of Robin Gracie's students. While "Gito" is the Head Coach in our gym he's got other instructors (black and brown belts) giving class depending on time and date, so we get to have a different taste every day.
Well, guess that's it for my presentation. Still trying to get a grasp of this community and how it works but I'm sure I'll do so soon.
Thanks!
ARBlack beltVerified
RFWhite beltVerified
JABlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hello everyone! I'm Rafa. ...
Welcome Rafa, welcome to Beltchecker! and enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, as someone who also comes from a striking art previously (20 years of Kenpo Karate) BJJ is relaxing and very fun, and yes, becoming a more complete martial artists is helped by training BJJ in my opinion :)
RFWhite beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Welcome Rafa, welcome to Beltchecker! and enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, as someone who also comes from a striking art previously (20 years of Kenpo Karate) BJJ is relaxing and very fun, and yes, becoming a more complete martial artists is helped by training BJJ in my opinion :)
Thank you John. Three sessions in six days and going for another one tomorrow, and I've got to say you're right: it is more relaxing (even when they're choking you out, haha).
NMBlue beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Welcome.
RFWhite beltVerified
MABrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi people !
How are you guys!?
Well long story short, or at least will try to make this short my story goes like this...
Im 42 years old, Im from Monterrey ( a big, big city in the northeast part of Mexico) and I started into martial arts in a legit way (like training everyday) like 20 years ago more less... So I started training muay thai and at first and it was only for fun, but little by little it became something more serious for me, like a lifestyle, so slowly but surely changed habits. So after a lot of training, I began to fight (used to amateur and pro) and teach as well.
So its funny to me thinking about how the muay thai was the key to open the door of the jiu jitsu world, cause when I used to worked teaching striking and muay thai in a local mma gym here at my city my buddy coach (Paul Farley, now professor) invites me to train at his classes after finished mine. So at some point I took some random nogi classes and it was fine, but never got me at 100%.
Shortly after I even attended to some jiu jitsu seminars, one with Professor Mario Delgado (Black Belt under Renzo Gracie) and the Salas brothers (both seminars were for non jiu jitsu practicioners and they were very into mma) and the spark for bjj kinda started... I was curious but still doesnt get me.
So at 2015 my brother who at the time he trained jiu jitsu at Gracie Barra Monterrey gave me a shout about they were looking for a muay thai coach there, so I went there, got the gig and one of the perks was I can train bjj for free... And thats were I fell in love...
Because the first time I trained with the GI everything fell into the right place and became a big fan and supporter, it simply blow my mind away.
So I wanna thank to professor Fernando Ferreira (he is here at beltchecker too =P ) for took me under his wing, cause he also asked me if I could help him with kids classes and from that day till today my life has been only but jiu jitsu and I am grateful for it.
Ive got the chance to compete in Mexico and USA
And have the honor to train with people like.- Magid Hage, Draculino, Ulpiano Malachias, Fabiana Borges, Kendall Reusing, Felipe Costa, Greg Nelson, Rafael Lovato jr., Steve Hargett, Marcelo "Uirapiru", etc. And the list go on and on.
Also I spend some time training with Kendall Reusing and her team at Corona, New Port and Riverside California.
So Gracie Barra and the jiu jitsu community itself changed my life in every way
Also wanna say "Hi there" to guys of 10th planet long beach !! specially to prefessor Felix Levi.
So basically that´s it I've tried to keep it simple... but truth is I wanna say a lot because I wanna thank to all the people I have met.
But hey I dont wanna bored you guys here...
See ya in the mats!
How are you guys!?
Well long story short, or at least will try to make this short my story goes like this...
Im 42 years old, Im from Monterrey ( a big, big city in the northeast part of Mexico) and I started into martial arts in a legit way (like training everyday) like 20 years ago more less... So I started training muay thai and at first and it was only for fun, but little by little it became something more serious for me, like a lifestyle, so slowly but surely changed habits. So after a lot of training, I began to fight (used to amateur and pro) and teach as well.
So its funny to me thinking about how the muay thai was the key to open the door of the jiu jitsu world, cause when I used to worked teaching striking and muay thai in a local mma gym here at my city my buddy coach (Paul Farley, now professor) invites me to train at his classes after finished mine. So at some point I took some random nogi classes and it was fine, but never got me at 100%.
Shortly after I even attended to some jiu jitsu seminars, one with Professor Mario Delgado (Black Belt under Renzo Gracie) and the Salas brothers (both seminars were for non jiu jitsu practicioners and they were very into mma) and the spark for bjj kinda started... I was curious but still doesnt get me.
So at 2015 my brother who at the time he trained jiu jitsu at Gracie Barra Monterrey gave me a shout about they were looking for a muay thai coach there, so I went there, got the gig and one of the perks was I can train bjj for free... And thats were I fell in love...
Because the first time I trained with the GI everything fell into the right place and became a big fan and supporter, it simply blow my mind away.
So I wanna thank to professor Fernando Ferreira (he is here at beltchecker too =P ) for took me under his wing, cause he also asked me if I could help him with kids classes and from that day till today my life has been only but jiu jitsu and I am grateful for it.
Ive got the chance to compete in Mexico and USA
And have the honor to train with people like.- Magid Hage, Draculino, Ulpiano Malachias, Fabiana Borges, Kendall Reusing, Felipe Costa, Greg Nelson, Rafael Lovato jr., Steve Hargett, Marcelo "Uirapiru", etc. And the list go on and on.
Also I spend some time training with Kendall Reusing and her team at Corona, New Port and Riverside California.
So Gracie Barra and the jiu jitsu community itself changed my life in every way
Also wanna say "Hi there" to guys of 10th planet long beach !! specially to prefessor Felix Levi.
So basically that´s it I've tried to keep it simple... but truth is I wanna say a lot because I wanna thank to all the people I have met.
But hey I dont wanna bored you guys here...
See ya in the mats!
ARBlack beltVerified
JABlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi people ! How are you guys!? Well long story short...
Welcome to beltchecker man! Hope you enjoy it, and enjoyed reading and learning a little about you!
MABrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Welcome. :)
Thnks! Truth been told I got my profile here like years ago but never uploaded to much, or paying any attention, but now I wanna get more serious here and try to expand my networking and connect with the community...
So nice to meet you
So nice to meet you
MABrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Welcome to beltchecker man! Hope you enjoy it, and enjoyed reading and learning a little about you!
Thank you !! Appreciate it!!
;)
;)
CJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hello my name is Chris and I've been training since 2009. Started 15 years later than I really should have due to lack of seeing the future that was right in front of me in UFC 1. I was interested in martial arts but never partook in them growing up. Like many guys my age, I grew up watching old Kung Fu movies on Sunday. Karate kid never grabbed me but BloodSport really had my attention. I was so excited when UFC 1 came out expecting a real life BloodSport with flashy moves and kicks. I thought Ken Shamrock was going to take it all. He looked like the one who should one based solely on physically appearance to my 19 yo mind. Instead of processing how awesome it was that was the smaller Royce Gracie used BJJ to beat everyone, I wasn't persuaded by BJJ. When I was 22 I was in a nightclub and was approached by someone who offered me a flyer to fight in a Tough Guy boxing tournament in Philly. He sold it as regular guys just getting in there having fun. This guy was Damon Feldman, local boxing promoter who went on to run Celebrity Boxing on Fox (remember Screech vs Horshack) who brother is the founder of BKFC, connected me with a boxing school in Berlin NJ to get some pointers in before the tournament. I did the tournament 2 months later but continued to train for 2 more years just for fun and fitness. Even though I stopped training, I made a friend in my training partner who continued onto martial arts in Tae Kwon Do , kickboxing and then eventually BJJ. For 2 years he tried to convince me to try BJJ. Finally at age 34, I started. a few years in, my friend started a tournament called Professional Grappling League (PGL). The winner of our first event was Joe Solecki, who is currently a lightweight in the UFC. The tournament caught a lot of attention regionally and we started attracting up and comers. We had Gordon Ryan at Blue Belt competing often, Tom DeBlass, Lex Fridman, Eddie Cummings, Danielle Kelly and many others who went places in grappling or MMA. It was such a fun experience working with everyone right before BJJ became mainstream. Once of my greatest joys has been seeing how many of them have went on to big things. Being a part of PGL will always have a special place in my heart. I always continued to train even though I was never great. I was never an athlete or coordinated. I doubt anyone in my first 6 months of training ever thought I would become a black belt, I am the embodiment of "A blackbelt is a white belt that never quit!"
Everyone does the journey for different reasons. I have no competition aspirations. I train mostly for socialization and mental/physical fitness. One of my goals is to inspire the next generation of noncompetitors who get frustrated with their progress or lack of progress. To be that proof that no matter how bad you think you are, the journey is you against you, a journey of self betterment. Just keep showing up and keep trying hard!!!
Everyone does the journey for different reasons. I have no competition aspirations. I train mostly for socialization and mental/physical fitness. One of my goals is to inspire the next generation of noncompetitors who get frustrated with their progress or lack of progress. To be that proof that no matter how bad you think you are, the journey is you against you, a journey of self betterment. Just keep showing up and keep trying hard!!!
ARBlack beltVerified
JMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I don't know if I ever introduced myself here, but i'm Michael Bateman owner / coach at NXG Combat Sports in Montgomery, Alabama. Our city is home to Maxwell AFB so I have met many of you through your travels with the USAF. Our academy is a member of Tsunami BJJ under Professor Ouano.
My martial arts journey started about 40 years ago in Taekwondo, and later Muay Thai / Muay Lao. In the late 90's I was introduced to grappling through a Judo/Sambo study group at the local university, but it wasn't until around 2008 when I started actually training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being in Alabama (USA) we didn't have a lot of experienced persons in our area, which left our development model much like those who trained elsewhere in the 90's.
Eventually, we affiliated with a team out of Tampa, but additionally I was extremely fortunate to host many brown & black belts come through our academy over the years because of our proximity to the USAF base. Along the road, there have been many who have contributed to my growth, but ultimately I received my Black Belt under Highlander MMA / Team Popovitch.
As the saying goes "people grow... sometimes together, sometimes apart" and over the years the direction of our team and the direction of our affiliation where not the same. After consulting with many of my seniors, mentors, and those who had positively impacted my journey the road lead me to Professor Ouano of Tsunami BJJ who I am blessed to call my coach and friend.
He has been a big blessing to our academy, and a breath of fresh air for myself. As added benefit we now have an even larger network of people to walk beside sharing a similar mission to spread our love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and to use it as a tool to build friendships and positively impact lives.
I was an early adopter of belt checker, but was not very active as a contributor on the forums. I hope to become more active here, and always open our academy doors to those wishing to enjoy some time on the mats! x
My martial arts journey started about 40 years ago in Taekwondo, and later Muay Thai / Muay Lao. In the late 90's I was introduced to grappling through a Judo/Sambo study group at the local university, but it wasn't until around 2008 when I started actually training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being in Alabama (USA) we didn't have a lot of experienced persons in our area, which left our development model much like those who trained elsewhere in the 90's.
Eventually, we affiliated with a team out of Tampa, but additionally I was extremely fortunate to host many brown & black belts come through our academy over the years because of our proximity to the USAF base. Along the road, there have been many who have contributed to my growth, but ultimately I received my Black Belt under Highlander MMA / Team Popovitch.
As the saying goes "people grow... sometimes together, sometimes apart" and over the years the direction of our team and the direction of our affiliation where not the same. After consulting with many of my seniors, mentors, and those who had positively impacted my journey the road lead me to Professor Ouano of Tsunami BJJ who I am blessed to call my coach and friend.
He has been a big blessing to our academy, and a breath of fresh air for myself. As added benefit we now have an even larger network of people to walk beside sharing a similar mission to spread our love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and to use it as a tool to build friendships and positively impact lives.
I was an early adopter of belt checker, but was not very active as a contributor on the forums. I hope to become more active here, and always open our academy doors to those wishing to enjoy some time on the mats! x
Edited 2 year(s) ago
NMBlue beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hello my name is Chris and I've been training since 2009. Started 15 years later than I really should have due to lack of seeing the future that was right in front of me in UFC 1. I was interested in martial arts but never partook in them growing up. Like many guys my age, I grew up watching old Kung Fu movies on Sunday. Karate kid never grabbed me but BloodSport really had my attention. I was so excited when UFC 1 came out expecting a real life BloodSport with flashy moves and kicks. I thought Ken Shamrock was going to take it all. He looked like the one who should one based solely on physically appearance to my 19 yo mind. Instead of processing how awesome it was that was the smaller Royce Gracie used BJJ to beat everyone, I wasn't persuaded by BJJ. When I was 22 I was in a nightclub and was approached by someone who offered me a flyer to fight in a Tough Guy boxing tournament in Philly. He sold it as regular guys just getting in there having fun. This guy was Damon Feldman, local boxing promoter who went on to run Celebrity Boxing on Fox (remember Screech vs Horshack) who brother is the founder of BKFC, connected me with a boxing school in Berlin NJ to get some pointers in before the tournament. I did the tournament 2 months later but continued to train for 2 more years just for fun and fitness. Even though I stopped training, I made a friend in my training partner who continued onto martial arts in Tae Kwon Do , kickboxing and then eventually BJJ. For 2 years he tried to convince me to try BJJ. Finally at age 34, I started. a few years in, my friend started a tournament called Professional Grappling League (PGL). The winner of our first event was Joe Solecki, who is currently a lightweight in the UFC. The tournament caught a lot of attention regionally and we started attracting up and comers. We had Gordon Ryan at Blue Belt competing often, Tom DeBlass, Lex Fridman, Eddie Cummings, Danielle Kelly and many others who went places in grappling or MMA. It was such a fun experience working with everyone right before BJJ became mainstream. Once of my greatest joys has been seeing how many of them have went on to big things. Being a part of PGL will always have a special place in my heart. I always continued to train even though I was never great. I was never an athlete or coordinated. I doubt anyone in my first 6 months of training ever thought I would become a black belt, I am the embodiment of 'A blackbelt is a white belt that never quit!' Everyone does the journey for different reasons. I have no competition aspirations. I train mostly for socialization and mental/physical fitness. One of my goals is to inspire the next generation of noncompetitors who get frustrated with their progress or lack of progress. To be that proof that no matter how bad you think you are, the journey is you against you, a journey of self betterment. Just keep showing up and keep trying hard!!!
Great post. As a 65 year old blue belt, I know that I will never be a competitor. I just want to stay injury free and last as long as I can. I enjoy the training and all the great people I get to meet at my school.
JWhite beltVerifiedIraq
2 year(s) ago
Hi guys my name is hussain am from iraq a saw bjj 2y ago and it stuck with me ever since I've trained TKD and boxing since i was 8 years of age, i haven't been able to train bjj ever since ive seen it due to lack of schools in my town the nearest bjj school is 600-800km away , i found this mma gym near me they have some kind of bjj (not traditional) but the couch there is a judo black belt a very nice person too yet the training is 2 times a week and not very focused no open mat just drilling for 10 min and u get in the cage for one round a 100% fight that wasn't very good for me because i kept getting injures , so i wasn't ready to give up on my bjj journey and bought some mats and started training in my house with a couple of friends i did a very critical searching on what to do and what to focus on granted chasen hill youtube channel helped out alot and bjj black belt who lives in Canada was nice enough to help out , my goal is to spread the word about bjj in my city and country and get good enough to open a bjj school and start teaching , its been a rough road but am not giving up any time soon ,going to travel to another city for 2 days to train in a proper bjj school and bring back home whatever they will be kind enough to teach me , aa would love to hear anyone's input and advise
JJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Hi guys my name is hussain am from iraq a saw bjj 2y ago and it stuck with me ever since I've trained TKD and boxing since i was 8 years of age, i haven't been able to train bjj ever since ive seen it due to lack of schools in my town the nearest bjj school is 600-800km away , i found this mma gym near me they have some kind of bjj (not traditional) but the couch there is a judo black belt a very nice person too yet the training is 2 times a week and not very focused no open mat just drilling for 10 min and u get in the cage for one round a 100% fight that wasn't very good for me because i kept getting injures , so i wasn't ready to give up on my bjj journey and bought some mats and started training in my house with a couple of friends i did a very critical searching on what to do and what to focus on granted chasen hill youtube channel helped out alot and bjj black belt who lives in Canada was nice enough to help out , my goal is to spread the word about bjj in my city and country and get good enough to open a bjj school and start teaching , its been a rough road but am not giving up any time soon ,going to travel to another city for 2 days to train in a proper bjj school and bring back home whatever they will be kind enough to teach me , aa would love to hear anyone's input and advise
What a cool story this will be if you stick with it. Good luck to you. Let me know if I can help in any way!
ARBlack beltVerified
JWhite beltVerifiedIraq
2 year(s) ago
What a cool story this will be if you stick with it. Good luck to you. Let me know if I can help in any way!
thank you my friend i appreciate it
JHBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Can you guys help re-verify my page? I was just recently promoted. Thanks!
JABlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
What a cool story this will be if you stick with it. Good luck to you. Let me know if I can help in any way!
That is a cool story, welcome Hussain!
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Please check out my new Insta
If not appropriate for the forum, I will remove.
If not appropriate for the forum, I will remove.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
HBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Please check out my new Insta If not appropriate for the forum, I will remove.
Can you make it bigger next time? :)
