Women at the Groundswell Grappling Concepts camp at GMA BTT Boston. Photo: Bruno Amaral

GMA Brazilian Top Team (BTT) Boston hosted the first ever Boston Women’s Grappling Camp by Groundswell Grappling Concepts on President’s Day weekend (February 14–17, 2014). The camp had over 40 women from all over the United States and of all ages and skill levels. The camp was run by black belts Valerie Worthington, Emily Kwok, and Hannette Staack and organized by Lola Newsom.

The weekend started off with a welcome dinner where new campers and “return offenders” alike were able to chow down on some Brazilian BBQ while getting to know each other and share a few laughs. Saturday and Sunday featured day-long training sessions in both gi and nogi, taught by Valerie, Emily, and Hannette. Our hosts BTT Boston head instructor Bruno Amaral and his student Nathalia Azoff also ran a gi session where they showed some of their favorite drills, techniques, and submissions.

In addition to the physical training, the campers and instructors wrapped up each day by sitting down together to discuss a variety of topics. These roundtables gave campers the chance to ask both the black belts and their fellow campers questions and also trade stories about their Jiu-Jitsu experiences.

The mission statement of Groundswell Grappling Concepts (GGC) is a limited liability company dedicated to supporting self-actualization through BJJ and grappling. They believe the mental, physical, and psychological demands of BJJ and grappling, when properly channeled, have the power to transform lives. They provide products and services aligned with this belief, and with the expectation that personal fulfillment contributes to societal improvement.

To learn more about GMA BTT Boston and their dedicated women, go to www.bttboston.com

More pictures from the event by BTT Boston’s own Bruno Amaral:

Gild Gomes is promoted to black belt at GMA BTT Boston. Photo: Personal Archive

Our GMA Brazilian Top Team Boston had their belt ceremony on Dec. 4 & 5 and it was a complete success!

Professor  João Amaral flew from Florida and Professor Daniel Gazoni came direct from Rio to help Professor Bruno Amaral at BTT Boston to conduct the tests. They promoted over fifty students.

Moments when many students receive stripes and others graduated to their new belts are always remembered.

A special promotion came when Gild Gomes was promoted to the rank of black belt. Professor Amaral says, “Gild has been a dedicated student for many years at Brazilian Top Team and we are all proud to have him part of our family, inside and outside the mat.”

Another remarkable accomplishment of that evening was Vinny Souza receiving the first degree on his black belt.

“This was a truly spectacular year to BTT Boston and we want to congratulate everyone on their accomplishments.”

To learn more about GMA Brazilian Top Team Boston go to www.bttboston.com

The students of Brazilian Top Team Boston toss their colored belts aside for a bit. Photo: Bruno Amaral

GMA Brazilian Top Team Boston will hold a belt ceremony on Dec. 4 – 5. First degree black belt Professor Bruno Amaral has imposed an innovative approach to training during the weeks leading up the ceremony by having every student wear a white belt on the mats– even black belts. Bruno wants to have the students train with an ego-free mentality while rolling.

“You have to leave the ego outside the mat,” he says.

His concept has been well-received so far and the students are having more fun without the ” pressure” that people sometimes attach to their belts.

Less pressure to perform means more fun. Photo: Bruno Amaral

Renan, in blue, at winners' stand of European Championship. Photo: Personal Archive

In a division with such stiff competition as Rafael Mendes, Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” and Mario Reis, among others, Renan Borges is there to just make things harder. The black belt from Brazilian Top Team Boston, our GMA, took second in the featherweight division of the European Championship, losing to Rafael Mendes in the final.

At 23 years of age, Renan started training in 2002, in Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sul. His masters were Dr. Manuel Joao and Taedes Mendonca. In 2007 he moved to Boston as brown belt. Now promoted to black by Joao Amaral and Daniel Gazone in 2008, he’ll be back in action at the Pan-American and Worlds.

Check out the chat GRACIEMAG.com had with the fighter.

What were your preparations for this European Championship like?

I focused on training for the European several months. I was dedicated in my physical preperations, not just on the mat, but also in the gym, to build stamina and strength. The BTT Boston team is to be congratulated for the work it’s been doing. I also trained with black belts from other academies, like Abmar Barbosa and Brian Caldwell. That was fundamental. One week before the European I stopped training to rest my body and save energy. Over there, I also entered the absolute, which was a great way to get back in rhythm. On Sunday, I concentrated for each match and fought as though it were my last. I won my first match via choke and the second on points. I felt good in all my matches.

What do you think of your opponent in the final, Rafael Mendes? What’s your breakdown of your match against him?

Rafael Mendes is one of the great challenges at featherweight, but we should never underestimate anyone. I went into the final focused. It was a tough match. I carried out my game and looked for the sweep the whole time.

Do you intend to compete at the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds? What would be different for this competition?

Yes, I’m going to compete at the Worlds, but first I’m concentrating on the Pan-American. I think the big difference in this competition is that it’s more competitive and attracts a greater number of top athletes.

How is work at BTT Boston going?

It’s going strong and there are good training partners for me. The work we’re doing is really important for my evolution and that of my training partners.