A benefit seminar to help raise money for John Flite’s battle with leukemiea brings together east coast BJJ community. Photo: John Flite

A student and long-time friend of black belt Jared Weiner recently revealed that he was diagnosed with leukemia, cancer of the blood cells. John Filte, along with his son, is a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu and part of the BJJ community. Because the gentle art is more than just a workout or hobby, it doesn’t take long before the bonds on the mat extend to the lives of its members. Therefore, the community is joining forces to help John with a benefit seminar.

On Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. in Philadelphia, PA a seminar will be held for John to raise money for his treatments as he works to submit the disease.

Members of the community on the east coast have already confirmed their presence to teach and support the cause: Jared Weiner, Wilson Ries, Rob Schier, Vicente Junior, Daniel Tavares, and Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa who just won the Masters and Seniors Worlds. More athletes will be announced later.

The suggested donation for the event is $50 to help out John and his family. Every affiliation, team, person is welcome. Members of the community from New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts have already confirmed their presence for this benefit seminar.

The address for the location is: BJJ United 428 Old York Rd Jenkintown, PA 19046

For more information contact bjjunitedmma@gmail.com

Vitor Oliveira, absolute champion of the NY Summer Open. Photo: Erin Herle/ GRACIEMAG

The weekend of July 13 saw some high-level Jiu-Jitsu in New York. The IBJJF held the first edition of the New York Jiu-Jitsu Summer Open, in the Nat Holman gymnasium, and the biggest name of the event was Teresópolis, Brazil’s, Vitor Oliveira (GFTeam), who secured gold at both the middleweight and absolute black belt divisions.

Vitor, who passed the guard of DJ Jackson (Lloyd Irvin) in the absolute final, talks about the feat and has some advice for our reader:

GRACIEMAG: What have you learned from winning two golds at the NY Summer Open?

VITOR OLIVEIRA: I had an excellent performance, I was able to apply the positions I wanted. But even with the win, I could see that I need to make adjustments in my game. I think the crowd was instrumental in this achievement – it’s always good to have the fans supporting.

How did your mind operate in the absolute final against the DJ?

This time I believed more in my judo. Early on I applied a takedown and gained two points. Then, I tried not to make mistakes by always attacking. That’s how I applied pressure until I passed the guard. Passing DJ’s guard was time-consuming, because he kept locking my foot in half-guard, but I kept my shoulder on his face and persisted. Near the end, he managed to sweep, but I won by 5-2. The secret to taking him down was to attack at the right time, when he sank the grip on my lapel.

In the middleweight final, you beat Daniel Tavares, of SAS. What have you learned?

I had fought Daniel in the No-Gi Pan last year and already knew a little about his game. I tried to take him down, but couldn’t stabilize the move and ended up leaving the fighting area. The referee brought the fight back to the middle and Daniel pulled the X-guard. I then fell on the side, but didn’t stabilize. Then Daniel went to all fours, which was when I was able to sink the guillotine and finish him.

What is your main trick for the few hours prior to competition?

I try to be as quiet as possible. It’s kinda funny, I always think that I won’t be able to use force [laughs]. My body gets a little soft, but when I get to the mat I am awake and cool. The fighter must always maintain good nutrition, sleep early before the event, try to be focused and avoid eating too much before fighting. It is helpful to have full confidence in your game – this will help in the critical hours throughout the tournament.

What did you learn overall in New York?

I learned a lot about my game. I have to be more alert and adjust my grips better when fighting. I was a little loose when I was caught by surprise in the final with DJ. I like to fight on top very much, preferably in half-guard. So I’ve just got to practice more and get my grips ultra tight.

See the final of the black belt absolute match here:

Vitor Oliveira, campeão absoluto do NY Open de Jiu-Jitsu. Foto: Erin Herle/ GRACIEMAG

O fim de semana passado foi de Jiu-Jitsu de alto nível em Nova York. A IBJJF realizou a primeira edição do New York Summer Open de Jiu-Jitsu, no ginásio Nat Holman, e o maior nome do evento foi a fera de Teresópolis Vitor Oliveira (GFTeam), que garantiu o ouro no médio e no absoluto faixa-preta.

Vitor, que na final do aberto derrubou e passou a guarda de DJ Jackson (Lloyd Irvin) comentou o feito e distribuiu lições.

GRACIEMAG: O que aprendeu ao faturar dois ouros no NY Summer Open?

VITOR OLIVEIRA: Tive uma excelente atuação, fui capaz de aplicar as posições que eu queria. Mas, mesmo com a vitória, pude ver que preciso fazer ajustes no meu jogo. Acho que a torcida foi fundamental nessa conquista, é sempre bom ter a torcida apoiando.

Como sua mente trabalhou na final do absoluto, contra o DJ?

Dessa vez acreditei mais no meu judô. Logo no começo apliquei uma queda e abri dois pontos. Depois, administrei para não errar, mas sempre atacando. Foi assim que pus pressão até passar a guarda. Passar a guarda do DJ foi demorado, porque ele ficava travando meu pé na meia-guarda, mas mantive o ombro no rosto dele e persisti. Quase no fim, ele conseguiu a raspagem, mas venci por 5 a 2. O detalhe para derrubá-lo foi atacar no tempo certo em que ele encaixou a pegada na minha lapela.

Na final do médio, você venceu Daniel Tavares, da SAS. O que aprendeu?

Eu havia lutado com o Daniel no Pan Sem Kimono ano passado, e já conhecia um pouco do jogo dele. Tentei derrubar, porém não estabilizei a queda e acabamos saindo da área de luta. O árbitro voltou o combate no meio e ele puxou para a guarda-X. Eu então caí na lateral, mas não estabilizei. Depois o Daniel ficou de quatro apoios, foi daí que consegui encaixar a guilhotina e finalizar.

Qual seu macete principal para as horas anteriores às competições?

Tento ficar o mais tranquilo possível. É até engraçado, sempre acho que não vou conseguir fazer força [risos]. Eu fico com o corpo um pouco mole, mas quando piso no tatame eu desperto e fico tranquilo. O lutador tem de manter sempre a boa alimentação, dormir cedo antes do evento, procurar estar concentrado e evitar comer muito antes de lutar. É útil ter total confiança em seu jogo, isso vai ajudar nas horas complicadas ao longo do torneio.

O que você aprendeu em Nova York?

Aprendi muito sobre meu jogo. Tenho de ficar mais ligado e ajustar mais as pegadas quando estiver lutando. Fiquei um pouco solto quando fui pego de surpresa na final com o DJ. Gosto muito de lutar por cima, de preferência na meia-guarda. Então é treinar mais e ficar com as pegadas justinhas.

Vitor Oliveira passa a guarda de DJ Jackson, na final do absoluto. Foto: Erin Herle/GRACIEMAG

Após ficar com o bronze no Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu 2013, Vitor Oliveira (GFTeam) viajou até Nova York para pendurar duas medalhas de ouro no peito, no New York Summer Open deste sábado, no ginásio Nat Holman.

Primeiro, Vitor beliscou o ouro no peso médio – ele estrangulou Brian O’Leary (Gracie Humaitá) na semifinal e finalizou Daniel Tavares (SAS) na final. Daniel eliminara DJ Jackson na semifinal por 3 a 0.

Já no absoluto, o faixa-preta da GFTeam fez duas lutas. No primeiro embate, finalizou Roger Ambrosi (Renzo Gracie) no armlock. Na final, fez 5 a 2 em DJ Jackson, repetindo a vitória obtida no Mundial.

Algoz de Gui Mendes vence

Após eliminar Guilherme Mendes no Mundial, Daniel Beleza (SAS) conquistou o peso-pluma ao vencer Jose Jr (Nova União). No pena, Raphael Fernandes (Renzo Gracie) foi o campeão.

Osvaldo Queixinho (Caio Terra) dominou o peso leve. Ele venceu Renan Borges (BTT) na disputa pelo ouro. O meio-pesado foi vencido por Chris Moriarty (Alliance), e o superpesado ficou com Roger Ambrosi.

No feminino, Nyjah Easton (Lloyd Irvin) foi a grande estrela. Ela conquistou o peso-pena e o absoluto. Na final do aberto, Nyjah finalizou Jennifer Petrina (Alliance) no triângulo da montada.

Para ver todos os resultados, clique aqui. Navegue pela galeria de fotos e veja as melhores cenas do torneio.

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The 2013 IBJJF New York Summer Open brought another group of black belts to the big apple in the second New York tournament by the IBJJF this year. Last April we saw a heavy showing of Gracie Barra black belts with Otavio Sousa earning double gold. This year the mix was rather spread out with only a couple black belts from the same team.

Vitor Henrique Oliveira of GFTeam placed third at the 2013 World Championship in the middleweight division losing to the champion, Otavio Sousa. Traveling to New York, he was able to take the place of Otavio and earn double gold as well, winning the middleweight division along the way. Vitor defeated Brian O’Leary of Gracie Humaita with a choke after scoring 20 points to win the semi-final. In the final he faced Daniel Tavares of SAS Team USA submitting him fairly quickly. Daniel defeated DJ Jackson on his way to the final with a three point lead.

In the open weight division, Vitor had two fights. He defeated Roger Ambrosi of Renzo Gracie with a spinning armbar from side control and defeated DJ Jackson in the final by points, 5-2.

The black belt male light-featherweight division had five competitors. Daniel Beleza of SAS Team, who placed third at the 2013 World Championship won the division. He defeated Mark Ramos with a loop choke then defeated Jose Gonzales Jr. of Nova Uniao by a two point lead. The featherweight division held three competitors so in a round robin situation, Raphael Fernandes of Renzo Gracie Team took the gold. He lost to Isac Chavez of Nova Uniao by points his first match, defeated his next match Ramon Flores-Luna by a two point lead and then was able to defeat Isac Chavez in the final. Lightweight gold went to Osvaldo Augusto Queixinho who flew from California. He defeated Fletcher Linton Jr. of Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu with a choke from side control and went on to defeat Renan Borges to win the gold. Middleweight was conquered by Vitor Henrique Oliveira and recapped above. Medium-heavy was won by Christopher Moriarty of Alliance Atlanta and super-heavyweight was won by Roger Ambrosi of Renzo Gracie.

The female black belt open weight division had four competitors. Featherweight Jen Petrina of Marcelo Garcia Academy defeated medium-heavyweight Karen Miller of Florian MMA by points 11-2. Featherweight Nyjah Easton of Team Lloyd Irvin defeated lightweight Bibiana Dos Tan Pacini of Brazilian Top Team with a transitioning armbar from triangle. In the final, Nyjah Easton defeated Jen Petrina with a quick mounted triangle-armbar.

For full results please click here.

Vitor Henrique Oliveira passes the guard of DJ Jackson in the black belt open weight division at the 2013 IBJJF New York Summer Open. Photo: Erin Herle

[highlight]Last chance: Get a FREE Vulkan Pro Light Gi with a 24 month subscription of GRACIEMAG for only $177 Click here and get yours now. Offer ends Friday, July 16. Use Promo Code GMVULKAN during the checkout.

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Tanquinho no Brasileiro de Equipes 2010. Foto: Gustavo Aragão.

Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes segue se preparando para o Mundial 2011, e como prévia se aventurou no Long Island Pride 2011, em Danbury. Tanque fez a superluta contra Ronaldo Campos (Fenix/Barbosa), e não deu bobeira.

“Obrigado Deus! Ganhei minha luta casada no evento Pride XII em Danbury, finalizei em dois minutos! Obrigado ao Renato Tavares e a todos da ATT Vero Beach pelos treinos esses dias!O seminário ontem na ATT foi ótimo e agradeço a todos que foram”, twittou a fera da Soul Fighters, que vai se preparar para o Mundial com Rafael Formiga e Rodolfo Vieira em Connecticut.

Quer aprender sobre os treinos e técnicas de feras como Tanquinho, Rodrigo Minotauro, Renzo Gracie, Demian Maia, Rominho Barral, Rafa Mendes, Vitor Shaolin e tantos outros? Garanta já sua GRACIEMAG aqui, e colecione lições vitais para o seu Jiu-Jitsu.

Tanquinho at 2010 Brazilian Team Nationals. Photo: Gustavo Aragão.

Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes forges ahead in his preparations for the 2011 Worlds, and as expected he ventured into Long Island Pride 2011 in Danbury. Tanque had a supermatch against Ronaldo Campos (Barbosa JJ) and didn’t piddle around.

“Thank God! I won my superfight at Pride XII in Danbury. I got the tapout in two minutes! Thanks to Renato Tavares and everyone at ATT Vero beach for the training these days! The seminar yesterday at ATT was great and thanks to everyone for going,” tweeted the Soul Fighters ace, who is preparing for the Worlds with Rafael Formiga and Rodolfo Vieira in Connecticut.

Want to learn about the training and techniques of beasts like Tanquinho, Rodrigo Minotauro, Renzo Gracie, Demian Maia, Rômulo Barral, Rafael Mendes, Vitor Shaolin and others? Then get your subscription to GRACIEMAG here, to collect vital lessons to enhance your Jiu-Jitsu.

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