Photo: Personal archive

Jorge Fernandes, a twelve-year-old, is a jewel currently being shaped at American Top Team Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. Jorjão, as he is known, extended a good phase in competition as he won, for the second time, the Pan Kids, held recently by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) in California.

Despite being so young, Jorjão already knows that in order to conquer big challenges in his personal life, he needs dedication, perseverance and, especially, to forgo moments of leisure. That, in his view, is what enabled him to win the tournament again.   

“It’s the result of a lot of discipline and sacrifice to keep up with the diet and training,” he said in a recent interview. “I gave up a lot of fun times with my friends. Really, I like training and competing, so I’m always at the gym training and traveling to the competitions. And I believe this causes me to have more interest in the sport, and gives me rhythm and experience in competition.”

Taught by his dad, Junior Fernandes, who is a black-belt under Ricardo Libório, Jorjão revealed that, in one of his elimination matches, he used a spinning choke that he learned from his father. This move shocked the audience.

“It’s a choke I like to use when I fight playing guard, but I learned some variations from my dad to play on top,” said the young champion. “I just adjusted it to my game. I studied all my possible opponents, and that was a factor that defined my wins. Jiu-jitsu is a sport that requires studying; there are lots of intelligent athletes.”

The results of his studies are seen in practice, through his social media, when Jorjão shares the experiences he’s been having as he trains and competes in judo. “It’s not that I like judo the way I like jiu-jitsu,” he said; “it’s just because it’s the complement to my jiu-jitsu.”

Jorjão added: “I’m in second in the U.S. rankings. I know that judo helps me in my physical preparation as well, so I look at it like I do jiu-jitsu: wherever there’s judo, I try to go to fight and train.”

Jorge has accumulated several gold medals, and it’s worth noting his titles at the American Nationals and US Open Judo Championships.

Practicing a safe and healthy martial art like Jiu-Jitsu is a major help in bringing up your brood.

As GRACIEMAG.com always tries to drive home, your little one will learn to defend himself, besides assimilating concepts like loyalty, discipline, respect and honor.

And if you’re a practitioner yourself, that’s even better. After all, you’ll be able to spend more time with him and teach him what you know.

Can you imagine your weekends, clearing out the couch and having a roll on the living room floor?

There are those who don’t limit themselves to imagining, as you can see in the video below. Because Jiu-Jitsu can be great company, but nothing like the love between parents and their kids.

Branson Graf and family at Pan Kids 2012 (Photo by Deb Blyth/GRACIEMAG.com)

How about adding “give Jiu-Jitsu a chance” to your New Year’s resolutions?

C’mon, try it out. At a good gentle-art school, your kids learn how to defend themselves, and by year’s end they’ve learned so much more than that.

They’ve learned such concepts as loyalty, discipline, dedication, respect and honor. Precepts for making them better people—and they learn to defend themselves when their parents and protectors aren’t around to boot.

Watch the class below, and rest assured: with Jiu-Jitsu your kids will never be alone again.

Cuban myth Teófilo Stevenson was a three-time boxing world champion and three-time Olympic champion, between 1972 and 1980. Publiclity photo.

Seven days after three-time Olympic gold medalist Teófilo Stevenson passed away, GRACIEMAG.com puts together an article to pay tribute to the mythical pugilist.

The victim of a heart attack on the 11th of this month in Havana, the 60-year-old Cuban fighter left some precious lessons for those who practice and appreciate martial arts.

1. TIME IS A GREAT TEACHER

Fidel Castro’s favorite fighter was the beneficiary of great trainers, like former Cuban champion John Herrera, from the outset of his career forward. It was years of dedication, however, that made the difference. Stevenson started at nine years of age, accumulating eight years’ worth of experience before making his debut as an adult. Not too many people have the good fortune of training since such a tender age, but one needs to understand that many hours of flight time will take you a long way.

2. DEBUT WITH A LOSS

Teófilo Stevenson has his place reserved in the history of fighting, thanks to the three Olympic gold medals (1972/76/80) he won—in boxing, only two other men have accomplished such a feat: Hungary’s László Papp and also-Cuban Félix Savón. And he probably would have won a fourth had it not been for the boycott on the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984. Interestingly, although he is now seen as a superhuman fighter, he started out losing, like every “white belt.” It happened on his debut as an adult, to the more experienced Gabriel Garcia. Learn from Teófilo and persevere. Sometimes results are merely trifles.

(Watch the pugilist at the Pan-American Games of 1975, in Mexico:)

3. REPETITIONS AND MORE REPETITIONS

At a certain point in his career, his coaches noticed that Stevenson’s jab needed some honing. And it was precisely the Cuban’s potent jab that was a cornerstone of his career, taking him to the mark of 302 wins and just 22 defeats. Before heading to the gym, ask yourself, ‘Where am I weak? Where am I strong?’ Find your strengths and weaknesses, and talk to your coaches about shoring them up. It can make all the difference at your next competition or training session.

4. SELF-KNOWLEDGE, DESIRE AND MONEY

One time, the Cuban fighter was offered 5 million dollars to turn pro and take on Muhammad Ali in a title fight right off the bat. Stevenson declined. He preferred to stay in Cuba, to inspire the youth and be an hero in his home country. What drives you? Is it just money? If all you fight for is money, then that can shorten your path significantly, when the money ain’t much. Or worse, when the money’s a-plenty.

5. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THAT THE OTHERS DON’T?

Like Ali, Stevenson fused the power and reach of a heavyweight with the agility and speed of a lightweight. What aspects and qualities do you have that the rest of your division doesn’t? Invest in that and be the best you can be.

6. FIGHTING, SPORT AND THE MEANING OF LIFE

After hanging up his gloves, the champion went on to teach young fighters on the Cuban national team. He forged champions and men, and saw how teaching and learning are two sides of the same coin. Therein lies perhaps the greatest teaching Teófilo left, which to some wise men is the meaning of life on this planet: first, find out what you really do well. Then, pass it onwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOB7_BFqUeU

Thiago Tavares celebrates win at UFC Rio, in 2011. Photo: UFC publicity.

A Jiu-Jitsu black belt and UFC star, Thiago Tavares is back to attacking on all fronts—as an event promoter. Tomorrow, the Rio de Janeiro-Santa Catarina transplant will be putting on Insano Fight in São José, a town bordering Florianópolis in Tavares’s adopted state.

It’s the second time the UFC star is promoting an MMA event, and he’s still got his work cut out for him, as he explains to GRACIEMAG.com.

“Fighting is a lot easier. It’s really rough; even a simple authorization from city hall is complex and hard to get. They have to authorize everything, from the volume of the audio to the overall setup, and nothing goes your way but in the end it all works out,” he says.

HONOR THE MASTERS AND EAT MAT

The event will feature an under-80kg GP tourney, as well as under-66 kg and over-93 kg title fights. According to Tavares, the show will be broadcast on Band television station across the state of Santa Catarina.

After announcing the finalized card, Thiago spoke a bit about his success in Jiu-Jitsu and what to do to be a good UFC fighter.

“The first lesson is to be loyal. A man who isn’t loyal to his teachers, to his friends, won’t get anywhere, no matter what your profession. Whether a fighter or a dentist, you need to be loyal to the people around you. It’s the least you can do to honor them,” he says.

“Another tip: dedication. Everything you do in life you should do as best you can; otherwise there’s no point. Jiu-Jitsu fighters’ wanting to go professional need to train a lot, do lots of physical conditioning and eat mat, training Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts the whole day. And never forget that only Jiu-Jitsu saves your skin,” says Tavares in closing.

Insano Fight
Arena Multiuso, São José, Santa Catarina, Brazil
March 2, 2012

Under-80kg GP
Santiago Ponzinibbio (Argentina) vs Ricardo Hulk de Oliveira
Renato Pezinho vs Sebastião Junior

Superfights
Rafael Rocha vs Fernando Giacomechi
Josenildo Mazinho vs Buiu Santos
Nil Rocha vs Luciano Oliveira
Marcio Junior vs Morris “Hulk”
Marcelo Piazza vs Julio Cascaes
Rangel Pires vs Thiago Bel

Over-93kg title fight
Phellipe Mira vs James Junior

Under-80kg GP final
Winner of fight 1 vs Winner of fight 2

Under-66kg title fight
Nazareno Malegarie vs Jonas Lis

Flavio Canto does armbar repetitions during Jiu-Jitsu training. Photo: Gustavo Aragão (GRACIEMAG archives/2006).

An Olympic medal-winning judoka with a slick Jiu-Jitsu game, founder of an institute that has changed the lives of 1,200 young people for the better thus far, a television anchorman for Brazil’s Sportv channel, the boyfriend of Brazilian actress Fiorella Matheis., not to mention he’s a good surfer too—there are plenty of reasons for you, GRACIEMAG.com readers, and normal mortals alike to admire Flavio Canto, 36.

Obsessed in training and his professional life, the bronze medalist from the Athens Olympics laid out a series of lessons that led to his becoming the successful competitor/teacher he is today, in an article in “Trip” magazine. GRACIEMAG took the chance to sort the highlights of these teachings from Canto’s career for you.

1. LEARN TO BUDGET YOUR TIME

In 2011, Flavio Canto had to live with a knee injury, a serious bacterial infection in the injured area, four surgical operations and a lengthy period of recovery. But that didn’t diminish his discipline and dedication one bit, as he kept up his training, presented on the “Sensei Sportv” TV program, taught judo and Jiu-Jitsu at his Instituto Reação outreach project, and took seventh at the Judo World Championship in Paris. Canto is a master of the art of getting the most out of the hours of the day, living by the credo, “If I like it, I’ll find time to do it.” You can do it, too. Concentrate on what’s important, eliminate wasted time, and live a more fulfilling life.

2. GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT, AND OF SUCCESS

Flavio always wanted to make a difference and fight against the plight of the underprivileged that was stuck in his face every day, living amid the inequality rife in Rio de Janeiro. He’d hand out meals, collect clothing, trudge up favelas to try and teach the kids to read, and only after years of this did he realize that the martial arts were the greatest weapon he had for his cause. “What I did wasn’t much, it didn’t make major changes in anyone’s life,” he told reporter Pedro Só of “Trip” magazine. “I found myself when I came to the understanding that judo could be used as a tool for social inclusion,” Canto often says. Don’t waste time with what you only do well. Focus on what you’re great at, and you’ll make a difference.

3. HOW ABOUT A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE?

Canto was born in Oxford, England, and his move to Rio was decisive in shaping the way he sees life today. He breaks it down: “The misery in Brazil, which to many is just a normal part of life, always shocked me.” If you’re feeling disheartened or stuck in a rut, one reason could be that you’ve been looking at things from the same perspective for too long. Take a trip, compete against different people, practice aspects of Jiu-Jitsu you used to scoff at. Changing your point of view is always a healthy thing to do, and often it can revolutionize a life.

4. REPEAT THE TECHNIQUE TILL IT’S PERFECT

Flavio designates obsession as his greatest flaw. “If I can’t get a position into perfect placement, I very well may stay up all night till I’ve got it the way I want it.” Be loaded with defects like Flavio Canto is. Perhaps with your game will get more and more like his, as shown in the video.

5. A LOSS IN JIU-JITSU IS AN OPPORTUNITY

“In 2000, when I lost the tryouts for the Sydney Olympics, I realized my world hadn’t come to an end,” begins Canto, “I saw that I could use the extra time for a bigger project. That was when I started Reação.” Today the institute Flavio oversees is installed in four major low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha, Tubiacanga, Pequena Cruzada and Cidade de Deus.

According to close friends of his, Flavio knows every one of his students’ names.

6. FLAVIO CANTO WASN’T BORN PERFECT

Reação came to be when Universidade Gama Filho university invited the judoka to teach at the Rocinha favela, for an outreach project called Educação Criança Futuro (Children Education for the Future). “That was when I realized the power sport carries, from the feedback I got from the parents,” remembers Flavio. “The more aggressive and rambunctious kids became more stable—sort of like what happened with me. I wasn’t easy, I went through a phase where I’d get into a lot of fights. And I got beat up a lot too.” The lesson is that it’s never too late to change your ways. Withdraw from what does you harm, and dedicate yourself to growing as a person, Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a professional.

7. DISCOVER THE PLEASURE OF CHANGING SOMEONE FOR THE BETTER

The pleasure Flavio Canto gets from teaching isn’t limited to discovering gems like world runner-up Rafaela Silva, 19, of the Cidade de Deus favela, polished up by Professor Geraldo Bernardes. Rafa, tipped by experts to be an Olympic champion down the road, is just another one of the students Flavio learns from every day. “I learn much more from them than I teach them. They make me a less selfish person, more humane, basically a better person,” Flavio told “TPM” magazine one time. And he wraps up by teaching what drives him these days: “For every life we see transformed there’s the feeling we’re doing so little, that so many more lives could have undergone such changes. It’s a feeling sort of like the one from ‘Schindler’s List’. That’s why we keep demanding more an more of ourselves.

Bernardo Rezende, 51, coaching for the last 20 years, holds more than 30 major volleyball titles and earns up to 35,000 reais per lecture, where the theme is almost always the same: strategies and tactics for becoming a superchampion.

In a recent interview with reporter Milly Lacombe in “Gol” magazine, the Brazilian national volleyball team coach taught what he did to make a living through his passion, volleyball, and laid out some important topics for finding success in training and competition. GRACIEMAG.com compiled the highlights. Read, reflect, and dedicate yourself.

Bernardo, in CBV publicity photo

Mistakes:

“Making mistakes is key. But when you make that big mistake all you think is, ‘Shoot, this is really bad.’ You can’t see the bright side of it, and it tortures you so much until you go off in pursuit of another route. When you make a mistake, you question yourself, and the questioning breeds change, change breeds growth, and growth breeds satisfaction. The only ones who don’t make mistakes are the ones who don’t try. There’s a ton of people out there who don’t make mistakes because they don’t do. All they do is talk about what the other people do. At first, when we make a mistake, we end up in a miserable funk, overwhelmed with frustration. Only afterward do we manage to get out of it.

Getting over the hump:

To get out of it you have to assume responsibility. In Brazil, culturally, people aren’t big on assuming responsibility. “It was the government that didn’t do it,” “The opponent was better.” It’s always someone else’s fault. If you don’t assume responsibility, you’ll never understand why you messed up or how to fix it.

Comfort zone:

Discomfort is a perpetual part of life. If I feel comfortable, that in itself is a discomfort to me. But it’s discomfort that makes me forge ahead. I can’t sit back and relax. I try keeping the players on a tight leash. Anyone who can’t handle pressure can’t be on the team. I’m almost never in an absolute comfort zone. When things are going too well I get worried; something’s wrong. I’m not that good, it can’t be that easy. Feeling relaxed is unwelcome.

Fame:

Public recognition and the fans’ affection instill two feelings in me. The first is almost pride. I see it and I think, ‘Cool, we did something great.’ But then I get home and think, ‘I can’t allow myself to disappoint these people.’