On Nov. 8, Walter “Cascao” Vital of GMA Cascao Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas, NV will be up north. The avid competitor who calls the master division home but also dabbles in the adult divisions from time to time has a lot of mat experience.

The black belt, who has won Pans and Worlds twice, will be in Redmond for a three-hour seminar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you pay in advance the cost is $50 per person and if you pay at the door the cost is $60.

The seminar is located at 3732 SW 21st Pl. Redmond, OR 97756.

For more information call 541-977-9499.

Milton Bastos is signed up for the IBJJF Seattle Open and is calling for more black belts to join. Photo: Ivan Trindade

The deadline is fast approaching for one of IBJJF’s newest tournaments: the 2014 IBJJF Seattle Open. This will be the northwest’s first time competing in their backyard.

The event will be held on Oct. 25 at the Everett Community College Fitness Center located at 2206 Tower St., Everett, WA 98201.

Many GMA academies have athletes signed up already including Gracie Barra Seattle, Impact Jiu-Jitsu, Caio Terra Association, Lovato Jiu-Jitsu, Cascao Jiu-Jitsu, Foster Jiu-Jitsu, Ralph Gracie OC, Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Gracie Barra Pasadena, Five Rings Jiu-Jitsu and more.

Earn a gold, go up in IBJJF rankings, prepare for the 2015 grand slam tournaments and enjoy the northwest, perhaps indulging in some coffee.

You can register until Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. PST by going here: www.ibjjf.org

See the athlete list so far: http://static.ibjjfdb.com/Campeonato/000322/en-US/RegistrationsByCategoryAndAcademy.pdf

Often times when in the turtle position, since your leg is close to their shoulder, they will grab for a single leg. Take advantage of this to complete an armbar.

Cascao tells us just how to do this:

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

The Cascao Jiu-Jitsu team ready for the Vegas Summer Open. Photo: Personal Archive

If you’ve checked the athlete list for the 2014 IBJJF Vegas Summer Open, you’ll see that Walter “Cascao” Vital has unleashed his students. The GMA Cascao Jiu-Jitsu team tops the list as the most competitors registered and the hometown team hopes to bring home the team trophy this weekend on Aug. 9.

We decided to ask Walter Cascao two quick questions about what this event means for the team:

GRACIEMAG: What does it mean for the Cascao Jiu-Jitsu team to win in their hometown?

WALTER CASCAO: I’ve aways thought that competition gives motivation to achieve a goal; to demonstrate determination, and perseverance to overcome challenges. Winning a competition in your hometown with the support of the entire team it’s a good way to make them understand that hard work and commitment leads to a greater chance of success.

How much importance do you place on competition for your students?

BJJ tournaments bring together competitors from different ages, weight, and skill levels. it is a chance for me and my students to show that all the time spent on the mat, training, eating right, and preparing for the fights is worth it.

Follow the action live at the Sport Center of Las Vegas this weekend and learn more about Cascao Jiu-Jitsu at www.facebook.com/cascaojiujitsu

The third degree head instructor of GMA Cascao Jiu-Jitsu, Walter “Cascao” Vidal, will be in Spokane, WA for a seminar on Friday, July 11.

The active competitor will be visiting the academy to teach his knowledge of the gentle art that he has acquired over his more than twenty years of experience in both teaching and competing.

There are still spots left for the event at 6 p.m. at Newborn Jiu-Jitsu.

The location of the academy is: 1604 N Monroe St. Spokane, WA 99205.

The cost is $50 per person and you can pay at the door.

For more information please called James Weed at 702-265-6520 and learn more about Cascao Jiu-Jitsu at www.facebook.com/cascaojiujitsu

The black belt pan and world champ, GMA member Walter Cascao Vital will in Troy, Michigan next month for a seminar. Traveling from his Las Vegas academy, Cascao Jiu-Jitsu, the third degree black belt will be spreading his knowledge of the art that he has gathered from over 20 years of experience.

You can catch Cascao on Saturday, June 14 starting at 1 p.m. at Victorious MMA located at 444 West Maple Rd, Suite A Troy, MI 48084. The cost will be $60 per person.

To reserve your spot, contact the academy at victor@victoriousmma.com

Walter Cascão vs Luciano Oliveira. Photo: Ivan Trindade

After suffering a serious injury, Walter “Cascao” of GMA Cascao Jiu-Jitsu entered the competition mats of the 2014 IBJJF Las Vegas Spring Open and took home gold. The third degree black belt fought in the black belt master 2 super-heavyweight division and defeated two opponents for gold.

We asked Cascao how it felt to get onto the mats after such an injury and what it means to take gold on his home turf:

GRACIEMAG: What obstacles did you have to overcome in order to compete at the Vegas Open?

WALTER CASCAO: At the end of January I suffered a bad injury on my spleen that caused a lot of pain and I had to pull out of Pans. For three months I couldn’t train. I was only teaching and trying to recover as fast as possible so I would be able to compete at Vegas Open. Two weeks before the tournament I got back to train what made me feel alive again and gave me all motivation to compete and pursue the top of the podium.

Which was your toughest match?

My first match against Tyler Scott was the hardest one. He came with a solid game and good defense techniques.

How rewarding is it to get back to competition and be on the top of the podium?

Las Vegas is my home. It is where I live and teach Jiu-Jitsu every day. Being able to win gold here is very rewarding and an inspiration to my students. Seeing how proud they are of their professor makes me want to go further always.

Follow more of Walter Cascao and the Cascao Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Las Vegas, NV here: www.facebook.com/cascaojiujitsu

Check out this video of his matches:

GMA member Walter Cascao will be in Redmond, OR for a three-hour seminar on Saturday, March 29.

The two-time world champion and pan champion will be teaching at Joint Lock BJJ located at 3731 SW 21st Place Redmond, OR 97756.

The seminar will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $55 for early registration and $65 at the door.

Contact the academy for more information: 514-977-9499

Learn more about GMA Cascau Jiu-Jitsu at www.facebook.com/cascaojiujitsu

Walter Cascao led the kids and even helped Billie Grace Bonwell earn her gold medal in the grey belt pee-wee 1 female medium-heavyweight division.

Check out more about Cascao Jiu-Jitsu and the kids team at www.cascaojiujitsu.com

Here is a photo album of their day at the Pan Kids: