Danny and Marc

Following the successful campaign at the recent Dallas Open, GMA member Danny Alvarez had a graduation ceremony at his school in Arlington, TX.

Among many students getting new belts and adding degrees to their belts, Marc Trought received his black belt after years of training.

Danny and AJ

AJ Tucker also received his black belt after many years of training.

Danielle and Danny

Danielle Alvarez, Danny’s daughter, received her brown belt after a very successful run as a purple belt, when she collected numerous medals.

Congratulations to all students who received new belts or degrees.

Know more at www.AlvarezBJJ.com

Bruno Bastos and Daniel Alavarez collecting their first place team trophy at the 2014 IBJJF Dallas Open. Photo: Daniel Alvarez

The Bruno Bastos Association, while new, is growing in numbers and in rank. The Texas team has been competing locally, nationally and internationally and picking up podium shots along the way with a multitude of its athletes. Its team is comprised of GMA Bastos BJJ Midland under Bruno Bastos himself, GMA Alvarez BJJ under Daniel Alvarez and other affiliate academies.

Over the past weekend on Sept. 13, the 2014 IBJJF Dallas Open came to a close with Bruno Bastos Association in the top spot for the team trophy. This is their fourth year in a row taking home the title.

The Alvarez BJJ army with Bruno Bastos students on the podium. Photo: Daniel Alvarez

Part of the association that helped to earn the trophy was GMA Alvarez BJJ. They made up 59 of the 82 competitors who were present in Dallas. They contributed 207 points to the 300 that were earned in total. Led by Daniel Alvarez, their total medal count was 18 gold, 10 silver, 15 bronze.

Both Bastos and Alvarez worked hard during the 12-hour day to coach, push, support, console, promote and congratulate their students. Gold medals were accumulated as were new belt colors for some.

Of the accomplishment, Bruno Bastos says it was exactly what they had planned. “I believe that the right thing to say without being arrogant is that we’re the best team in Texas. We’ve won every IBJJF tournament in Dallas. We’ve placed in the IBJJF tournament [as a team] in Houston. We have athletes winning all over the world. So I have the right to say that we’ve been dominating the scene in Texas,” says the third degree professor.

Learn more about Bastos BJJ Midland here and Alvarez BJJ here.

James Puopolo wins double gold. Photo: Martin Nguyen/Toronto BJJ Scene

The 2013 IBJJF Toronto Open was held this past weekend on Aug. 2 at Ryerson University.

Overall, the local teams had a great time testing their skills against one another. By the end of the day, however, the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu team outscored the other teams by more than doubling the second place.

Here is how the team trophies were distributed:

1 – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu – 192
2 – Action & Reaction Mixed Martial Arts Toronto – 93
3 – Gracie Barra – 50

The teams receiving their team trophies. Photo: Martin Nguyen/Toronto BJJ Scene

This is the third year in a row that Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu has won first place as a team at the Toronto Open.

For the black belts, Rafael Lovato Jr.’s black belt form Oregon was able to claim the double gold in adult divisions. James Puopolo won gold in the super-heavyweight division and the absolute.

GMA member Daniel Alvarez of Alvarez BJJ brought home gold in his black belt master 2 featherweight division and Jorge Britto of GMA Toronto BJJ won his black belt adult heavyweight division.

Check out the full results here: http://static.ibjjfdb.com/Campeonato/000297/en-US/Results.pdf

And see a full photo album by Martin Nguyen of Toronto BJJ Scene here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.929764380372228.1073742030.192240324124641

Danielle at the 2013 American Nationals. Photo: Erin Herle

Purple belt Danielle Alvarez of GMA Alvarez BJJ in Arlington, Texas has set her eyes on the gold at the 2014 World Championships like thousands of others. When you read what her accomplishments have been so far this year alone, you’ll agree that it is in reach. Her dad, Daniel Alvarez, is a black belt who leads a team of competitors all around the world to compete and explore the true limits of a Jiu-Jitsu journey.

I spoke with Danielle about her goals for the worlds and what makes a good role model in Jiu-Jitsu. Check it out:

GRACIEMAG: How has your competition season been this year thus far?

DANIELLE ALVAREZ: This year has been great, I’ve been actively competing and learning a lot this season since January. I won the Europeans, San Francisco Open, Houston Open, Boston Open, FIVE grappling, a women’s superfight and also placed at Pan Ams and Brazilian Nationals.

How often do you get to train and what other priorities do/did you have besides Jiu-Jitsu?

Right now I am out of school for the summer so I am able to train 2-3 times a day, every day of the week. During the semester I would train once every day because I had college classes in the mornings. I also teach a women’s class once a week and help instruct the kids classes 3 times a week at my dad’s gym.

Explain your most proud competition moment this year.

My most proud competition moment this year was winning a superfight in a women’s only tournament in Denton, Texas. I had a very tough ten-minute match against Fabiana Borges and came out with the victory.

Danielle wins the 2014 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship to start the year off right. Photo: Personal archive

What would winning the worlds mean to you?

Winning the Worlds would mean everything to me. None of my other accomplishments in Jiu-Jitsu could compare to a Worlds gold medal. All of the competitions I’ve done so far this season have been preparation for the Worlds and I’ve been looking forward to this all year. A Worlds gold medal is the most important thing to me right now.

What qualities and behaviors do you think make a good role model for Jiu-Jitsu?

I think it is important for role models in Jiu-Jitsu to be respectful and helpful for all belt levels, especially white belts since that’s where everyone’s journey begins. I also think good role models in Jiu-Jitsu should always lead by example and bring positive energy to the people around them.

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You can watch the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship buy purchasing the livestream at www.ibjjftv.com

Purple belts at the European Open. Photo: Ivan Trindade

At the first large IBJJF tournament of the year, athletes other than the black belt superstars were able to find a successful rhythm for the start of the 2014 season in Lisbon, Portugal. The IBJJF European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship brought together international talent from white to brown on the days leading up to Sunday’s black belts and these are some videos showcasing such skills.

Check out some of the lower belts in the next generation of competitors from the four-day weekend on Jan. 23-26:

Danielle Alvarez of GMA Alvarez BJJ took gold in the purple belt female featherweight division:

Eric Cong Phan won the purple belt male light-featherweight division:

Marcio Andre won the brown belt male lightweight division:

Bruno Ivan Tomasetti won the brown belt male open class division:

Vanessa English of GMA Gracie Barra Nottingham won the brown belt female light-featherweight division:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhK5YEBZQY

The 2014 IBJJF Houston Open will be held on Feb. 22 at the University of St. Thomas in the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center like previous years. With many teams located in the lone star state, the tournament regularly brings out a rich group of competitors to make any gold medal worth earning.

The registration is open until Feb. 14. Currently on the roster are members from teams such as Bruno Bastos Association, Alvarez BJJ, Peak Performance, Gracie Barra Texas, Brail 021, Marra Senki and more.

The location of the venue is 3800 Montrose Boulevard Houston, TX 77006

To sign up, go to www.ibjjf.org before the deadline of Feb. 14.

Watch this match between Guilherme Mendes and Pablo Silva from the 2012 Houston Open:

Bruno Bastos promotes Danny Alvarez to second degree black belt. Photo: Personal Archive

GMA member Danny Alvarez, owner and head instructor of Alvarez BJJ in Arlington, TX, was promoted to second degree black belt by Bruno Bastos on Monday, Dec. 9. The promotion marks his sixth year as a black belt.

But it marks more milestones beyond his years at the elite rank. Alvarez reveals on Facebook:

“This was our 5th Year as a Business, we Now have Over 200 Students, I took GOLD in 13 out of my 16 IBJJF divisions & my Team has Kicked Butt All Year in All Local, National & International tournaments!”

Learn more about Alvarez BJJ at www.alvarezbjj.com

GD JIU-JITSU NOVA UNIÃO

The 2013 Nova Uniao USA Expo will be a two day event on Dec. 7-8 in Arlington, Texas.

There will be a seminar open for all teams and affiliations as well as a tournament that is exclusively for Nova Uniao team members: the 3rd Nova Uniao Invitational (Gi only).

The tournament will take place at GMA Alvarez BJJ Academy located at 1114 W. Harris Rd., Suite 104 Arlington, TX 76001 . This tournament is limited strictly to Nova Uniao Association Members who must wear a Nova Uniao patch on their gi. The competition will offer adult (male and female), masters and senior divisions for white, blue and purple belts. All brown and black belt competitors interested in super fights please contact Bruno Bastos at brunobrunojj@hotmail.com. Registration for the tournament ends on Nov. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

On Dec. 8, there will be a super seminar with Nova Uniao black belts: Robson Moura, Vitor “Shaolin” Bruno Bastos, Rico Bastos and Gustavo Dantas. The class will have a format with about 75% drilling techniques, and 25% training (sparring). The event will take place at 1114 W. Harris Rd., Suite 104 Arlington, TX 76001 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for all schools.

• 1 Event – $70 (After Nov. 18, $80)
• 2 Events – $110 (After Nov. 18, $125)

Registration online ends on Friday, Nov. 29. Seminar price at the door is $100, space is limited.

To register, reserve your spot for the seminar and learn more about the 2013 Nova Uniao USA Jiu-Jitsu Expo, go to www.gdjjevents.com

Daniel Alvarez works on a back-take at the IBJJF Toronto Open. Photo: IBJJF

The IBJJF Toronto Open held its second annual event on Saturday, August 3 at York University. The booming city in Canada catered to many local as well as visiting teams from all over the world. Some teams came with a force of many, others with just one representative but the level of skill was high either way.

GMA academies that took home bunches of medals were: Renzo Gracie Ottawa earned twelve medals at the event. Students from Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York traveled with nine competitors and came back with ten medals. Toronto BJJ had three competitors take home medals as well, although more members are not counted as they were registered as Ribeiro BJJ. Total, over 70 competitors from the academy alone were out on the competition mats earning them the first and third place trophy.

Oliver Geddes, a black belt under Roger Gracie from GMA Roger Gracie Academy in London, UK won gold in his black belt adult lightweight division and placed second in the open class.

Jorge Britto of Toronto BJJ placed first in his black belt master middle division and placed second in the open class.

Daniel Alvarez of GMA Alvarez BJJ in Arlington, Texas accomplished gold in the black belt master feather division defeating his opponent 9-0 in points. See the match below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epZiyEY9qSs

Art of Jiu-Jitsu

The Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy took home the first place team trophy for the no-gi day and took home over 30 gold medals between the gi and no-gi. Champs like the Ruotolo twins, Tye and Kade received double gold as well as Alyssa Wilson and Alex Cadena. The two professors, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes focus much of there attention to their growing, large kids team. To see more from the AOJ kids, visit www.ArtofJiuJitsu.com

Art of Jiu-Jitsu kids. Photo: AOJ Facebook

Alvarez BJJ

Team Alvarez BJJ traveled all the way from Arlington, Texas to claim gold for their kids. The team of nine competitors took home a total of ten golds and nine silvers. The team of competitors included: John Gloria, Parker Richardson, Jessica Crane, Ethan Helton, Austin Herle, Cooper Henry, Shorty Herle, Emily Helton, Joel Helton. Professor Danny Alvarez with his daughter Danielle Alvarez coached the kids to victory, making their mark on the west coast. For more information about Alvarez BJJ visit www.AlvarezBJJ.com

Team Alvarez BJJ kids. Photo: Alvarez BJJ Facebook

Gracie Barra Northridge

Gracie Barra Northridge headed by world champion Romulo Barral made the drive with their kids team and took home medals of their own. The team had thirteen competitors with eighteen medals earned by kids ranging from four years old to fifteen years old. The team consisted of: Faith Chavez, Nick Lee, Anthony Menchaca, Natalia Menjavar, Jazelle Castaneda, Isabella Menchaca, Nikita Inger, Salameh Dugum, Chris Menchaca, Eve Chavez, Maxx Lee, Sophie Lee, Kelly Agsaulio. Coach Jaeson Bianchi led the kids to their best performances. For more information about the kids program at GB Northridge visit www.GBNorthridge.com

Siblings Sophie Lee and Maxx Lee were also promoted to orange/white belts after the tournament. Photo: GB Northridge Facebook

Yemaso BJJ

Team Yemaso Jiu-Jitsu team traveled down south from Sacramento, CA to participate in the tournament with a total of three medals to bring home. Professor Marcos Torregrosa looks forward to making big waves in the future. The results they had were: Angelo gold, JT silver, Nico bronze. For more information about the kids program at Team Yemaso, visit www.YemasoBJJ.com

To see what other GMA academies we have, visit our GMA directory here.

The colored belts took over the majority of the mats on Saturday, July 13 as the IBJJF New York Summer Open took place in a moist basement gymnasium at the City College of New York. What felt like another world that captured you for the full day, the schedule was packed with stacked divisions one after the other.

By 10:40, the purple belt males were beginning to infuse the blue belt males on the ten mats and by noon the brown belts had joined in as well. The black belts melded in and before you know it, the divisions were closing up and open weight categories were forming brackets.

Here are the results and standouts that made their way through the hot basement atmosphere, against tough opponents and onto the podium:

Blue belts were mostly dominated by Team Lloyd Irvin members, Malachi Edmond at light-feather, Derrick Holmes at feather and Sodiq Yusuff at light. At rooster, Dean Lewis and all of his 5’2″ self managed to submit his way to his second IBJJF gold ever. He always weighs in below the weight limit and although he just moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia to train at 50/50, he is already reaping reward.

Purple belts showed skill from all teams allowing GFTeam, Alliance Marcelo Garcia, Team Lloyd Irvin and others to take the podium as no one team dominated. Standouts Daniel Goss and Lucas Mattos Moutinho of GFteam took gold in their division and also closed out the open weight division as middleweight and super-heavyweight. The takedowns of Lucas were ferocious and his cardio allowed him to keep up a fast pace throughout all of his matches.

Alliance Marcelo Garcia gained the most points as a team and in turn was granted the first place trophy. For the brown belt males, three divisions from light to medium-heavy were won by members of the Marcelo Garcia crew. Gianni Grippo won the lightweight category moving up from his normal featherweight territory, Dillon Danis who is now making his way into the IBJJF competition podiums won the middleweight division and Matheus Diniz who came from Brazil to train with Marcelo full-time won the medium-heavyweight division.

The brown belt open class was interesting purely because the winner, Maximilian Bohanan, placed second in his weight category, middleweight and the second place Kevin Mahecha placed third in his division, lightweight. Male heavyweight Tim Spriggs placed third after meeting Kevin in the semi-finals but wasn’t able to dominate the match as all of his other matches during the day.

The females brought on high-level competitors from all over: Texas, Atlanta, California, Florida, Boston, Maryland, Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania and more.

Blue belts were dominated by featherweight Annie Xiong and lightweight Anna Burdette from Alliance Marcelo Garcia although more female blue belts placed on the podium also from their team. Heavyweight Michelle Welti of Big Brothers took the top spot of the open weight podium after she defaulted gold in her weight division. Second place went to the middleweight champion Jessica Adams of Nova Uniao with Annie Xiong and fellow featherweight Viviana Eva Velez of Carlson Gracie Team in Puerto Rico taking the third place spots.

Purple belts only had light-feather, light and middle, spreading out the athletes who wanted a fair amount of matches to higher weight categories. Danielle Alvarez of GMA Alvarez BJJ placed second in both weight and absolute proving her comeback to Jiu-Jitsu is getting right back to the top. Double gold went to Katie Merrill of Boston, although a native of New York, who fought her way through five matches. Sera Kim and Jessie Carpenter won their respective division but opted out of the open weight, satisfied with their performances.

For the full results, click here.

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Joe, Danny, Bryan show off their no-gi medals on the podium. Photo: Alvarez BJJ Instagram

Black belt GMA member Danny Alvarez of Alvarez BJJ in Arlington, Texas took a team of students to compete alongside them in Rome, Italy. Normally at most IBJJF events around the country including Boston Open, Houston Open, Las Vegas Open and more, Danny himself pushes for the best results to get onto the podium and shares the same momentum with every one of his students who express the same interest.

On June 29, the first IBJJF Rome Open gave the Alvarez BJJ army a chance to prove their skills in the gi. Here are the results:

Joe Gonzales placed third in his purple belt master medium-heavy division.
Danielle Alvarez placed second in her purple belt adult lightweight division and third in the absolute.
Danny Alvarez won gold in his black belt master featherweight division.

Daughter Danielle Alvarez was out of competition for 10 months as she moved a few hours away from home to attend her first year of college. Prior to becoming a first-year college student, she competed often since she was a juvenile racking up titles in IBJJF tournaments all over the world as an adult, winning a ticket to Abu Dhabi WPJJC and earning the title of best blue belt competitor in Texas two years in a row. This competition was a good start for her return to Jiu-Jitsu competition.

The second day, on Sunday June 30 came the European No-Gi Championship and the time for the team to prove their skills without the gi. Here are the results:

Bryan Landin placed third in his blue senior 1 ultra-heavyweight division.
Joe Gonzales won gold in his purple master medium-heavy division.
Danny Alvarez won another gold in his black belt master featherweight division.

Congratulations to the team.

For more information about Alvarez BJJ you can visit www.AlvarezBJJ.com

Check out Danny Alvarez in action in his final at the European No-Gi Championship:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvvRgQBTl5k