04.07.2007 Pitbull BJJMarco Nascimento: Keeping it real
If on one extreme there are places in the world where it’s hard to find Jiu-Jitsu, on the other there are places where you can't turn a corner without finding an academy. That is the case with California, and that reflects in the GMA list to be found in any issue of GRACIE Mag, or even on this site. The American state holds the record in number of associates - academies where you can, besides learning Jiu-Jitsu, easily purchase GM.
One of these places belongs to Marco Nascimento, 37, Mestre Bita's first black belt. Among Marco's conquests are several Rio de Janeiro state titles, a Brazilian, a Pan-American and two Nationals.
After teaching in the city of Friburgo, Brazil, for seven years, Marco went to the United States at first just to compete, but ended up attracted by the opportunity presented to him and stayed. “Joe Moreira set it up so I could teach in an academy, and I've been here for four years since," says the Brazilian. "I started teaching for an local, but I set up my own academy a year ago.” In his school, Pitbull BJJ, located in Foster City, Marco alone teaches his 35 students - a number he is proud of. "After the last Pan-American, things improved a good deal. I had been three years without competing; I fought this year and won," said Marco, adding that the number of students at Pitbull doubled after his performance at the championship.
About his plans, Marco reveals that his competitive fire has been re-kindled. “I intend to carry on competing, and I want to fight at the National in August," he says. This posture of his seems to have caught on with his students, who, according to him, “went to his gym for their health, but ended up competing.” So much so that, at the Pan, Pitbull was represented by eight students – an absurd number, considering the size of the academy.
Although he remains humble and down to earth, the teacher is betting on the future. He will soon start his summer camp, at which kids too will be able to play Jiu-Jitsu with Marco. And there is no doubt about it, moms: at Marco Nascimento’s Pitbull BJJ, besides being put on the right track to learning the sport and becoming healthier, they will be exposed to proper values like character and dedication.
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