Marcio Macarrão com os filhos faixas-pretas Neiman e Deborah Gracie. Foto: Divulgação

Guardeiro que marcou época, mestre Marcio “Macarrão” Stambowsky ensinou certa vez no GRACIEMAG.com uma de suas defesas mais simples e eficazes contra o sempre incômodo estrangulamento cruzado na guarda.

O faixa vermelha-e-branca, líder da Gracie Sports de Connecticut, nos EUA, nos ensinou a simplesmente “atender o telefone”, e mandar aquele recado claro e direto ao adversário: “Alô! Daqui você não me finaliza mais!”.

Veja a defesa do paizão de Neiman Gracie e evite a linha cruzada nos seus treinos. Oss!

Oswaldo Jurema, em foto de seu acervo pessoal. Foto: Reprodução

Nosso GMI, o faixa-preta Oswaldo Jurema se aventurou no Mundial Master 2022, disputado entre os dias 1º e 3 de setembro, em Las Vegas. Jurema venceu três lutas e conquistou a terceira posição entre os meio-pesados do Master 3.

Representante da Nova União e à frente da Jitsu Academy Connecticut, o experiente professor vive em prol do Jiu-Jitsu nos Estados Unidos há cerca de um ano e tem aproveitado o período no exterior para se testar nas competições. Em bate-papo com a equipe do GRACIEMAG.com, Oswaldo Jurema avaliou o seu desempenho no Mundial 2022 e relatou o que o motiva a competir mesmo depois de tantas conquistas no esporte.

GRACIEMAG: Como você avalia o seu desempenho no Mundial de Master?

OSWALDO JUREMA: Foi muito bom. Num campeonato desse nível, com 60 pessoas na categoria, cada luta é uma final. Num dia inspirado você pode ser campeão, mas também pode perder na primeira luta se cometer um erro bobo. É lógico que após a derrota bate uma frustração por não conquistar o título, mas vi tantos grandes atletas que saíram sem uma medalha que não posso me dar o direito de ver o copo meio vazio.

Qual de suas especialidades você conseguiu aplicar no Mundial? E em quais situações?

Adotei uma postura mais estratégica nesse campeonato. Procurei não me expor muito. Felizmente, consegui raspar de gancho nas primeiras lutas e administrar bem o placar. Sair na frente é fundamental numa luta de 5 minutos.

O que você acha que precisa ajustar no seu jogo para as próximas competições?     

Tecnicamente, eu sempre procuro experimentar coisas novas, principalmente as posições que aprendo com a garotada da nova geração. Porém, para o próximo Mundial, eu pretendo intensificar a preparação física, pois o condicionamento físico faz total diferença num campeonato com mais de duas lutas.

O que te motiva a competir mesmo depois de tantos títulos ao longo desses anos no Jiu-Jitsu?

Meu objetivo é demonstrar para os meus alunos é possível ter uma vida normal e ainda assim ter bons resultados. Você não precisa ser um fenômeno de técnica e nem um superatleta, basta treinar e competir regularmente que conseguirá colocar em prática na competição aquilo que aplica no treino. Não sou e nunca fui adepto da dieta restrita. Tento mostrar às pessoas que não é necessário parar a sua vida para se dedicar a um campeonato, pois não importa se você é campeão mundial ou se perdeu de cara um torneio local. No dia seguinte, a sua vida continuará a mesma. A sua família tem que apoiar a sua decisão de competir e não sofrer com você por meses de dieta restrita e mau humor.

Quais foram os aprendizados nos Estados Unidos nesse período?

Desde que me mudei para os EUA, eu tenho aproveitado os campeonatos da IBJJF para conhecer novos lugares e me manter em ritmo de competição. Me sinto privilegiado de poder viver do Jiu-Jitsu e morar num país onde as pessoas valorizam e respeitam os profissionais que trabalham com esporte em geral.

Quais são os seus próximos objetivos como professor e atleta?

Para ser sincero, não tenho um objetivo específico como atleta. Vou competir enquanto eu estiver me divertindo. Minha maior meta agora é fazer uma grande reforma na minha academia e poder dar ainda mais conforto aos meus alunos.

Neiman, Marcio Macarrão and Deborah Gracie.

“Time passes, and the young rooster grows into the tribe’s strong rooster,” observes Marcio “Macarrão” Stambowsky, referring to his son Neiman, who is preparing for another challenge in MMA – a fight with Javier Torres on Oct. 20.

Neiman, his 28-year-old son from his marriage with Carla Gracie, has six wins – five by submission. With each fight, the father gets better at taming the adrenaline of watching a child of his in the cage. But learning something new every day has always been the strong suit of Macarrão – a nickname he got in his time as a surfer in Ipanema, right around the time he started training with the legendary Rolls Gracie.

We chatted with the 58-year-old master, today a red-and-white–belt, about his famous sweeps, about training at his Gracie Sports gym in Norwalk, Connecticut, and much more.

GRACIEMAG: You began training in 1975, and in June of this year you received the red-and-white belt. What have you been learning in this new phase of accompanying Neiman in MMA?

MARCIO MACARRÃO: Look, every fight of his has been packed with learning. It is an enormous adrenaline, but I think I’ve been managing to manage this nervousness at each match. I’ve been in his corner about four times, but I really don’t like it. What calms me down a bit is realizing that his determination, tenacity and drive are big and genuine. And, of course, the fact that he is always training hard with his mates at Renzo Gracie’s tough team in New York makes me calmer, because I see that he is ready for the challenges that arise. When he sees me nervous he says, “Come on, Dad – don’t get nervous, ’cause I’m alright.” I’m a fan of Neiman’s; I am very proud of him. And, when a father sees that his son applied himself to be there, and he really likes what he’s doing, the adrenaline is replaced with other feelings. Neiman is tough and has been proving it: he’s been put through tough tests a few times, like in his second fight [against Dustin Holyko], and he has shown that he can hang in there.

Did he have this drive to compete as a kid?

When Neiman was five he’d tell me, “One day I want to fight in Japan!” He was already obsessed as he watched his cousins and uncles fighting in Pride FC – Royce, Ryan, Renzo, Ralph… I’ve been playing BJJ with him since he was three, but he began preparing for real in his adolescence. He’s always had an open mind and a lot of interest in learning everything about fighting. For example: when he was a kid, he’s go to Copacabana at Manimal to test himself in Muay Thai. In the end, I believe the most important ingredient for you to achieve success in any activity in life is love. Having love for something is the first step. Only that way do you begin dedicating yourself, indeed, o try to do it in the best way, to strive to break your limit and learn each detail. And that is something I notice he has in him. He’s a homebody; he’s been married for 13 years with Karina, a mature wife. That is, he lives for fighting and has a lot of focus outside the gym too.

Was his time competing as a child important to the athlete he is today?

No doubt, but I believe the biggest advantage the BJJ championships gave him was experience, in spite of the young age. With the tournaments he acquired calm – that ability to cool down when there’s danger, which saves an MMA fighter. His psychology is strong thanks to the BJJ competitions, and since he was a child he’s shown himself to be very tenacious, very brave. Since the training at Renzo’s gym is arduous, he’s evolving well.

Is it true that BJJ entered your life almost as a game?

Well, yes. I really enjoyed watching Bruce Lee movies, doing kicks and pretend-fighting with my brother and friends. One day my friend Maurição Gomes – now a famous teacher and dad to Roger – went to my place in Leblon, and we got tangled up for fun. But that time I was unable to do anything to him: he clinched, took me down and dominated me, like three times. “What’s that, man?” I asked in awe. “It’s that now I’m doing BJJ at João Alberto Barreto,” he explained. Sort of fascinated by that novelty, I talked to my dad, and he said he would take me to train at Carlson’s. When I arrived there, I saw Rolls, who shared the gym with Carlson, at the reception. His image caused a big impression on me – he was young, already a black belt around the waist, nice and very thin. He showed me around, and I signed up immediately. I remember that he explained: “The times are different. Do you want to be my student or my brother Carlson’s?” I didn’t understand and said it didn’t matter. But, as I looked at Rolls, I noticed he had a strong, penetrating stare, and I figured I had said something dumb. “No – look, I want to be your student,” I added. I hadn’t even heard of Rolls before. Afterwards Maurição ended up coming to train with us.

Did you get started that day?

No. Rolls didn’t have a gi to sell, and he told me to buy one there in a store next to the Cordeiro judo gym. The following day I went back. And, from that first class with Rolls, I was in love with BJJ. I noticed that it was an activity I could really learn; it wasn’t anything too complex, even for a child. It was curious, because at the time BJJ was just a martial art – it wasn’t seen as a sport, because there were barely any competitions. And MMA did not even exist.

What did you learn in those first few lessons?

Rolls got me learning just self-defense, standing and on the ground, for the first 45 lessons I took. Defense against headlocks, takedowns, blunt instruments, etc. I believe that gave me a very solid base for my BJJ, because it’s across those 45 lessons that the student deeply understands BJJ’s lever system in practice. It’s from the moment you understand what you’re doing, what you are seeking, that improving becomes possible and quicker. You can’t memorize in a BJJ class.

Can you compare students from the 70s and 80s with students today? Do they seek the same answers when they approach BJJ?

I believe, here in America, many of my students seek out the art to satiate a competitive side that they usually develop in college. But many youths and older men continue to sign up to learn how to defend themselves, like before. But BJJ is very wide, and can be taught in three parts that are a little different: self-defense; competitive BJJ, in and out of the gi; and BJJ applied to MMA, a more specific class for athletes looking to become professionals. But I think every student seeks knowledge: to know the technique, to know themselves.

Why did you get into BJJ?

Just to learn ways to defend myself. As I was the third youngest brother, the bullying started at home. And it’s never been easy being a kid in Rio de Janeiro. I liked surfing in Ipanema, near home, and the youngest used to be intimidated. After I started training, I would even hope for some surfer to try and start something with me! But the bullying quickly subsided; at home, one day I made my older brother tap out 200 times… At the beach, someone said I competed and trained with Rolls, so they never messed with me again. They even started incentivizing me: “Go for it – this wave is yours!”

What was the most memorable fight of your career?

There were a few – some challenges at the gym. But I remember one of the first times I ever fought – I was still starting out as a competitor. I pulled guard, got him in closed guard, choked him, and the guy went to sleep. Rolls, thenceforth, would joke: “Come on – use the mighty one!” I also really liked to sweep and land on the mount, arm already caught. Here in America people even dubbed it the “Macarrão sweep.”

You’ve always been considered a master of sweeps. What do you think of modern guards?

I think there’s a lot new, but half of what we’re seeing there existed in the old days – it’s used for a while and then forgotten… And then it comes back with a vengeance – it’s normal. What changes are the nicknames for the position. The details, really – old and new, – I like trying them out. I think like a doctor: if a doctor goes 20 years without studying, he becomes obsolete. My game has always been one of closed guard – I had a powerful guard as a competitor, – but I don’t like teaching only what works in my game; I teach the student a general outlook, modern techniques included. I just don’t like flourishes. Really, these days, as an older man, I’m even turning into more of a passer.

Any other amazing episodes you cherish?

Most amazing of all was being able to be a part of this story, of the beginning of the BJJ saga. It was a romantic, very cool time, where no one knew the gentle art. I always believed BJJ would grow a lot and go far, but every day I’m amazed at the proportion the art has taken these days – something phenomenal.

Neiman, Marcio Macarrão e Deborah Gracie: família de faixas-pretas. Foto: Divulgação

“Os tempos vão passando, e o galo jovem vai virando o galo forte da tribo”, constata Marcio “Macarrão” Stambowsky, ao falar do filhão Neiman, que se prepara para mais um desafio no MMA, contra Javier Torres, no Bellator 185, dia no dia 20 de outubro de 2017.

Neiman, seu filho de 28 anos com Carla Gracie, coleciona seis triunfos, cinco por finalização. A cada luta, o paizão vai aprendendo mais a domar a adrenalina gigantesca de ver um filho sair na mão no MMA. Mas aprender algo novo a cada dia sempre foi a praia de Macarrão, apelido que ganhou nos tempos de surfista em Ipanema, na época em que começou a treinar com o mito Rolls Gracie.

Conversamos com o mestre de 58 anos, hoje faixa vermelha-e-branca, sobre suas famosas raspagens, sobre os treinos em sua academia Gracie Sports em Connecticut, na cidade de Norwalk, e muito mais. Leia e aprenda com quem sabe.

GRACIEMAG: Você começou a treinar em 1975, e recebeu em junho deste ano a faixa vermelha-e-branca. O que tem aprendido nesta sua nova fase, acompanhando o Neiman no MMA?

MARCIO MACARRÃO: Um prazer estar falando com o GRACIEMAG.com. Olha, cada luta dele tem sido um aprendizado imenso. É uma adrenalina gigantesca, mas acho que estou conseguindo administrar melhor esse nervosismo a cada combate. Já fui córner dele umas quatro vezes, mas realmente não gosto. O que me acalma um pouco é perceber que a determinação, a garra e a vontade dele são grandes e genuínas. E, claro, o fato de que ele está treinando sempre muito forte com seus companheiros, lá no time duríssimo do Renzo em Nova York, me passa mais tranquilidade, pois vejo que ele está pronto para os desafios que aparecem. Quando ele me vê nervoso, diz: “Pô pai, fica nervoso não que estou de boa”. Sou fã do Neiman, tenho muito orgulho dele. E, quando um pai vê que o filho se dedicou para estar ali, e realmente gosta do que está fazendo, a adrenalina dá lugar a outros sentimentos. Neiman é um casca-grossa e tem provado isso: já foi posto a testes duros algumas vezes, como em sua segunda luta (contra Dustin Holyko) e mostrou que resiste bem.

E ele já esbanjava essa vontade de competir desde garoto?

O Neiman, quando tinha 5 anos, me dizia: “Quero um dia lutar no Japão!”. Já estava vidrado ao ver os primos e tios lutando no Pride FC, o Royce, Ryan, Renzo, Ralph… Eu brinco com ele de Jiu-Jitsu desde os 3 anos, mas ele começou a se preparar de verdade na adolescência, sempre teve a mente aberta e muita vontade de aprender tudo relativo a lutas. Por exemplo: quando garoto, ia até Copacabana no Manimal se testar no muay thai. No fim das contas, acredito que o ingrediente mais importante para você atingir o sucesso em qualquer atividade da vida é o amor. Ter amor por alguma coisa é o primeiro passo, só assim você passa a se dedicar, de fato, a tentar fazer da melhor maneira, a procurar se superar e aprender cada detalhe. E isso percebo que ele tem dentro dele. É caseiro, está há 13 anos casado com a Karina, uma esposa madura… Ou seja, vive para a luta e tem muito foco fora da academia também.

Competir no Jiu-Jitsu desde criança foi vital para ele hoje, tecnicamente?

Sem dúvida, mas creio que a maior vantagem que os campeonatos de Jiu-Jitsu deram a ele foi a experiência, apesar da pouca idade. Com os torneios ele adquiriu tranquilidade, aquela capacidade de se acalmar na hora do perigo que salva o lutador de MMA. A parte psicológica dele é forte graças às competições de Jiu-Jitsu, e desde pequeno ele se mostrou muito raçudo, muito valente. Como os treinos lá na academia do Renzo são fortíssimos, ele está evoluindo bem.

É verdade que o Jiu-Jitsu entrou na sua vida quase como uma brincadeira?

Pois é. Eu gostava muito de ver filmes do Bruce Lee, de soltar as pernadas e brincar de lutas com meu irmão e os amigos. Um dia meu amigo Maurição Gomes, hoje famoso professor e pai do Roger, foi lá na minha casa no Leblon e nos embolamos de brincadeira. Mas naquela vez eu não consegui fazer nada com ele: ele me clinchou, me levou ao chão e me dominou, isso umas três vezes. “O que é isso, rapaz?”, eu me espantei. “É que agora estou fazendo Jiu-Jitsu, lá no João Alberto Barreto”, ele explicou. Meio fascinado com aquela novidade, falei com meu pai e ele falou que me levaria para treinar no Carlson. Quando cheguei lá, dei de cara com o Rolls, que dividia a academia com o Carlson, na recepção. A figura dele me causou uma grande impressão – era novinho, já de faixa-preta na cintura, simpático e magrinho. Ele me mostrou a academia e me matriculei na hora. Lembro que ainda explicou: “Os horários são diferentes. Você quer ser aluno meu ou do meu irmão Carlson?”. Não entendi direito e disse que tanto fazia. Mas ao olhar para o Rolls reparei que ele tinha um olhar forte, penetrante, e desconfiei que tinha falado besteira: “Não, olha, eu quero ser seu aluno”, emendei. Nem tinha ouvido falar do Rolls antes. Depois o Maurição acabou vindo treinar com a gente.

Você começou a treinar naquele mesmo dia?

Não, o Rolls não tinha kimono para vender e me falou para comprar ali numa loja perto da academia de judô Cordeiro. No dia seguinte voltei. E desde aquela primeira aula do Rolls fiquei apaixonado pelo Jiu-Jitsu. Percebi que era uma atividade que eu poderia realmente aprender, não era nada mirabolante mesmo para uma criança. Era curioso porque naquela época o Jiu-Jitsu era somente uma arte marcial, não era visto como esporte pois não havia quase competições. E o MMA nem existia.

O que você aprendeu nessas primeiras aulas, mestre?

O Rolls me pôs para aprender apenas defesa pessoal em pé e no chão, nas primeiras 45 aulas que tive. Defesa de gravata, quedas, paulada etc. Acredito que aquilo me deu uma base muito sólida para o meu Jiu-Jitsu, pois são nessas 45 aulas que o aluno compreende profundamente o sistema de alavancas do Jiu-Jitsu na prática. É a partir do momento que você entende o que está fazendo, que entende o que está buscando, que o aperfeiçoamento se torna possível e se acelera. Não se pode “decorar” na aula de Jiu-Jitsu.

Dá para comparar os alunos daquele tempo, os anos 1970/80, com os seus alunos de hoje? Eles buscam as mesmas respostas, quando procuram o Jiu-Jitsu?

Creio que aqui na América muitos dos meus alunos buscam a arte para saciar um lado esportivo, de disputas, que eles costumam desenvolver nos tempos de universidade. Mas muitos jovens e senhores continuam se matriculando para saberem se defender, como antigamente. Mas o Jiu-Jitsu é muito amplo, e pode ser ensinado em três partes um pouco diferentes: a defesa pessoal; o Jiu-Jitsu esportivo, com ou sem kimono; e o Jiu-Jitsu aplicado para o MMA, uma aula mais específica para atletas que buscam ser profissionais. Mas acho que todo aluno busca conhecimento: conhecer a técnica, conhecer a si mesmo.

Você buscou o Jiu-Jitsu para quê?

Para aprender meios de me defender mesmo. Como eu era o terceiro irmão mais novo, o bullying já começava dentro de casa. E nunca foi fácil ser criança no Rio de Janeiro. Eu gostava de surfar em Ipanema, perto de casa, e os mais novos também eram intimidados. Depois que comecei a treinar eu ficava até torcendo para algum surfista vir tentar alguma coisa comigo! Mas o bullying acabou rápido; em casa, fiz um dia meu irmão mais velho batucar 200 vezes… Na praia alguém comentou que eu competia e treinava no Rolls, então nunca mais mexeram comigo. Passaram até a me incentivar: “Vai que essa onda é sua!” (risos).

Qual foi a luta mais marcante da sua carreira?

Houve algumas, uns tira-teimas na academia. Mas lembro de uma das primeiras lutas que fiz, eu ainda estava começando como competidor. Eu puxei para a guarda, pus na fechada, estrangulei e o cara dormiu. O Rolls a partir daí ficava brincando comigo: “Vamos lá, usa a poderosa!”. Eu gostava muito também de raspar e cair montado, já pegando o braço. Aqui na América hoje o pessoal até apelidou de “Macarrão sweep”.

Você sempre foi considerado um mestre das raspagens. O que acha das guardas modernas?

Eu acho que tem muita novidade mas metade do que estamos vendo aí já existia antigamente, fica sendo usado por um tempo depois é esquecido… E depois volta com força, é normal. O que muda são os apelidos da posição. Os detalhes realmente novos e modernos eu gosto de experimentar. Penso como um médico: se um doutor ficar 20 anos sem estudar ele se torna obsoleto. Meu jogo sempre foi de guarda fechada, tive uma guarda poderosa como competidor, mas não gosto de ensinar somente o que funciona no meu jogo, eu passo ao aluno uma visão geral, inclusive técnicas modernas. Só não gosto é de firulas. Hoje em dia, inclusive, mais velho, estou virando até mais passador.

Algum outro episódio sensacional que você guarde com carinho?

O mais sensacional de tudo foi poder ter feito parte dessa história, do início da saga do Jiu-Jitsu. Foi um tempo romântico e muito bacana, em que ninguém conhecia a arte suave. Sempre acreditei que o Jiu-Jitsu cresceria muito e chegaria longe, mas todo dia eu me espanto ao ver a proporção que a arte atingiu nos dias de hoje, algo fenomenal.

Some of the women at GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira. Photo: Personal archive

Women don’t always need their very own class to start training but it certainly helps. The women who train at GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira in Stamford, CT earned their very own class two months ago and now the total of girls training is 13.

While some were already training with the guys in the regular classes, there were the ones who joined just recently given that they had each other and only each other to begin their Jiu-Jitsu journey. It helps when women have other women to train with because men can be intimidating. We know that Jiu-Jitsu was made for the weaker, smaller person however it takes a few lessons before realizing this. And an introduction can be scary without someone your own size.

Cesar Pereira has created an atmosphere for the women where they can learn and face similar challenges with similar people who will know what they’re going through.

He says, “Everything started with beginners/ fundamental class. As I had women in this class, I decided to open a women’s class, because some women felt more comfortable training among each other than with guys, also women who never tried BJJ before, and watched the class felt less intimidated. I’m always saying to them that BJJ is a self-defense for itself, that they can get self-confidence to face the problems even outside of the mat and get in shape, of course.”

Watch this highlight of the women’s program at C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira and learn more about the program at www.c3athletics.com

Cesar Pereira seminar at RSCP BJJ/ Eight Points Gym

GMA member Cesar Pereira of C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira in Stamford, CT traveled to his student’s academy to teach a seminar on Friday, Feb. 13. The event was held at RSCP BJJ/Eight Points Gym in North Carolina under Rick Screeton, who received his black belt from Cesar.

Those in attendance were students ranked from white belt to black belt. Cesar taught takedowns, omoplata attacks from closed guard using the lapel. He moved onto avoiding half guard and deep half guard as well as how to pass from those positions. Also, a trick submission from top half guard.

As part of the ceremony, Cesar also made a big promotion. Rick had a brown belt, who is also a muay thai champion, training under him and teaching alongside him. Cesar helped Rick promote Chris Clodfelter to black belt. Chris also teaches the muay thai program and is a professional MMA fighter.

All in all a successful night.

Learn more about Cesar Pereira and GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Perieira at www.c3athletics.com.

BJJ Tour CT 2014. Photo: Dan Rod

GMA member Claudio Franca has announced yet another date for tournaments around the country– BJJ Tour Connecticut. The one-day gi competition will be held on June 13 at the Wheeler Recreation Field House in Bridgeport, CT.

Registration is now open for the discounted prices as follows:

Kids: $60.00
Juvenile, Adult, Masters: $75.00

These prices will remain until the regular registration period begins on May 26.

The event will be located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport: 120 Waldermere Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

It is with this tournament that the new prize structure will be featured. Black belts will receive cash prizes for winning their divisions and schools can win prizes for their overall scores. The ranking system will also be in effect and this tournament will calculate into overall BJJTour points and BJJTour ranks.

You can register now at https://t360.azurewebsites.net/bjjtour/connecticut.aspx

And learn more information at www.bjjtour.com

Black belt podium at the BJJ Tour Connecticut. Photo: Dan Rod

Claudio Franca led the BJJ Tour of tournaments to a complete and successful year. Coming in 2015, they will have new additions and features.

As of now, the calendar of events are all open for registration besides BJJ Tour California and Las Vegas. Otherwise, you can go to the website and register your spot now in Florida, Texas, Connecticut.

Also in 2015, the BJJ Tour will reveal a ranking system that accounts for all the wins within the competition circuit. You can aim for team awards and black belt awards as well!

Learn more at www.bjjtour.com

The kids program at C3/Cesar Pereira. Photo: Personal archive

Stephane Smarth, muay thai coach of C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira where Cesar runs the Jiu-Jitsu program, has found that belt promotions are about something more than just skill. They represent core values and the success of the Jiu-Jitsu program under Cesar. See what Stephane has to say about the program and all programs in regards to stripes and belts:

“It’s that time of the year again when the adults and kids take it to the mats for belt promotions, and as each student lines up by their respective belt ranking, the instructor and those assisting prepare to change these adults’ and kids’ lives. Strips of white tape are torn and placed on the edge of the ring ready to find a new home on over 30 belts. As the students stand attentively, Cesar Pereira begins the promotions with a speech; a speech that addresses all the hard work they’ve put in and more work that needs to be done.

Since the inception of the adults program 3 and 1/2 years ago and kids program a couple of years ago, I have watched a program with just 4 or 5 students flourish to full, blown-out . Specially talking about kids martial arts program with ages ranging from 4 years old to 12, all types of personalities and characters interacting with one another, it can sound like a daunting task to work with a large group of kids, but Cesar does it with such ease and patience– understanding that each student is different and working with them individually.

On the mats, and even off, the students listen to Cesar. They respect him, look up to him and have gained a great deal of trust in him and his teaching. Day after day, these kids put their gis on, tie their belts, bow to the mats, line up and train. Day after day Cesar has them warm up, do basic drills, and execute the technique for the day. Whether they are working from side control, performing an armbar from the mount, or a triangle choke from guard, the kids are constantly being pushed and tested, both mentally and physically.

Many of the students have been in competition, many of them bringing home a medal, and many more will follow. His expectations are not just set on the mats and training, but also in being able to put together what he’s taught and executing those techniques where it counts. Where Cesar excels, however, is not in just teaching Jiu-Jitsu, but also in teaching many values the students can carry throughout life. Values such as discipline, respect, teamwork, self-esteem and confidence are all instilled in each student. He provides them with structure, creates a fun and exciting learning environment and does it in a way the students are not only receptive to it all, but they also reciprocate it.

Ultimately, that’s what belt promotions are about. Not just the execution of technique and going into competition, but also about students carrying out the core values infused in them by their instructor. As each stripe gets placed on a student’s belt, or belt colors change, it is a constant reminder of not only all the hard work they’ve put in over the course of a few months, but also the discipline they will carry with them forever.

It’s been an absolute pleasure watching these kids grow and transform into Jiu-Jitsu students, but without Cesar Pereira, there is no kids program. He is the reason for its success, how it has evolved over the years and the driving force behind its continual growth.”

Learn more about C3 Athletics and Cesar Pereira at www.c3athletics.com

The 2014 IBJJF Pro League middleweight champion, Vitor Oliveira, will be in the town of Stamford, CT for a seminar on Dec. 7.

The multiple-time IBJJF medalist and champion will be lead a class for both gi and no-gi at GMA C3 Athletics. Cesar Pereira will welcome the Pan No-Gi champion to share his knowledge with anyone who wants to learn, no matter the affiliation or team.

The seminar will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The location is C3 Athletics: 330 Fairfield Ave. Stamford, CT.

For GFT and C3 members, you can catch your spot for $45 until Nov. 26, $55 until Dec. 2 and $70 after Dec. 2.

Non-members will pay $75 per person.

To learn more, go to www.c3athletics.com

C3 Athletics team at the 2014 Harrisburg Open. Photo: Personal archive

On Saturday, Nov. 1, GMA member Cesar Pereira took his team to the 2014 Harrisburg Open tournament held by the Pennsylvania State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federsation.

Cesar is head instructor of GMA C3 Athletics and also spends his time refereeing at tournaments such as this one this past weekend.

His student David Rodriguez was the big name in the blue belt adult, winning the middle division in both gi and no-gi. He also conquered the blue belt adult gi open class.

Some of his other students earned medals as well. While they did not win the team trophy, they still brought home eight medals: 3 golds and 5 silvers.

Learn more about Cesar Pereira and C3 athletics in Stamford, CT by visiting www.c3athletics.com

Osvaldo “Queixinho” will be across the country for the 2014 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship on Sept. 27 but in the meantime he will be teaching some seminars around the area. The Caio Terra Association member boasts competition results around the world and countless hours of teaching.

You can expect to see him in Lyndhurst, NJ at Sub Force BJJ on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The cost for the seminar can be found when you reserve your spot by emailing showtheart@gmail.com. Sub Force BJJ is located at 718 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.

On the following day, Sept. 26, he will be teaching in Brookfield, CT at Soul Fighters. The seminar will begin at 7:30 p.m. and run until 9:30 p.m. The cost is a nice $40 per person. To reserve your spot for this seminar, call (203) 628-8096. Soul Fighters is located at 20 Old Gray Bridge Rd. Brookfield, CT.