Marcos Tinoco, Dominyka Obelenyte, Marcelo Garcia, Jonathan Satava. Photo: John “Ric” Ricard

When Marcelo Garcia runs his promotion nights at Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York City, he makes sure to leave some level of surprise. It may be seen as a tease or even a prank like when he promoted Gianni Grippo one year ago by making him think he was being promoted to a four-stripe brown belt before whipping out the black belt from his gi.

Dominyka receiving her black belt. Photo: John “Ric” Ricard

This year there were three additions to the MGA black belt team: Dominyka Obelenyte, Marcos Tinoco and Jonathan Satava. All active competitors on the team with multiple accomplishments for each, Marcelo decided it was their time. But not without inviting Marcos and Jon up for more stripes on their brown belts, letting them believe they would have to wait a little longer for their final rank.

Marcos receiving his black belt. Photo: John “Ric” Ricard

Before the ceremony was over, Marcelo gave his speech and called up the three one by one to have their black belts tied around their waist. A microphone placed in their hand, they each told a speech that they may or may not have been prepared for. Dominyka talked of her ten years in the art and wanting to quit while her parents encouraged her throughout her journey. Marcos talked of his struggles in Brazil and the opportunities that both his wife and Marcelo

Jon receiving his black belt. Photo: John “Ric” Ricard

gave to him that led him to this day. And Jon spoke of how he still had photos of Marcelo choking people in his bedroom at his family home that proved how much of a hero Marcelo was for him prior to even training with him.

Thanks to MGinaction, the speeches are available to see online. You can watch them below:

Watch out for Dominyka and Marcos, both entering the 2015 IBJJF European Championship to test their new belts on Jan. 22-25 in Lisbon, Portugal!

GMA member Ezekiel Zayas of Ases BJJ will be at Academia Mutxamel in Mutxamel, Spain on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The Europeans black belt champion will teach from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the academy located at Pedro Cano Izquierdo, 77.

The cost for the seminar is 35 euros.

To reserve your spot call 606 716 482 and for more information about Ezekiel go to www.asesbjj.com.

Alexander Trans against Rodrigo Cavaca at the 2013 European Championship. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Alexander Trans of Checkmat team in Copenhagen, Denmark can be considered the ruler of the European Championship. Four years, three belts and seven medals, six of which were gold. The now ultra-heavyweight black belt is only twenty-four years old and has already medaled at the most prestigious tournaments in his first year at the highest rank.

In 2010 and 2011 Trans was undefeated in every division he entered including both his weight and the absolute. His debut at black belt was the 2012 European Championship where he finished atop the podium with yet another gold from his continent’s tournament however this one held a little more weight being in the black belt division. This past Worlds in June he finished third in the ultra-heavy black belt division, sharing the podium with the best in the world.

Trans received his black belt from Leo Vieira in November 2011 after defeating everything he could in the major tournament seasons. These days he constantly looks to improve without focusing on the shiny medals but rather the skills he continuously builds upon. His current endeavor is the ADCC he prepares to face the giants in the over 99kg division.

See Alexander Trans in the ADCC European Trial last year:

Janni after winning the final of the brown belt female absolute at the 2013 World Championship. Photo: Erin Herle

We have a new female on the black belt roster today as Janni Larsson earns her final belt rank. The Checkmat team member won double gold at the World Championship two years in a row at both purple then brown belt. After she devoted herself more to Jiu-Jitsu nearly three years ago when she moved to Denmark from Sweden for medical school, her competitive skills were unmatched.

In 2012, Janni won the Europeans in purple belt adult lightweight and the absolute division then achieved the same result at the Worlds after bumping up to middleweight. She began this year as a new brown belt winning the absolute at the Europeans, her division at the Pan American Championship with second in the absolute, and then achieved another pair of gold medals at the World Championship in June.

Janni with her coach at the graduation ceremony. Photo: Arte Suave

She was granted her black belt from her instructor Shimon Mochizuki in Copenhagen, Denmark. This fall she focuses her efforts back on her studies at university but as long as she is studying, her freedom garners much training and competition. We will be sure to see her next year at the Worlds.

Showing off all of her medals from 2013 alone. Photo: Personal Archive

The venue is that same as the prestigious European Open. Photo: Raphael Nogueira

The 2013 IBJJF Lisboa Open on July 7 is the first of its kind. Not the first IBJJF tournament to take place in Portugal as the European Open claimed that spot, it is the perfect summer tournament for all who live in Europe.

Whether you take the train, car, bus or plane, Lisbon, Portugal is a great spot for a Jiu-Jitsu vacation. While in town, visit Gracie Barra Portugal where many training sessions have welcomed visitors from white to black. Venture into the city center for shopping at Bairro Alto or the nightlife at Chiado.

Registration for the tournament ends midnight PST on Saturday, June 29. Secure your travel plans and get into the mix to earn your next IBJJF gold medal and first place title.

Caio Terra will be present along with local names at every belt who are sure to give great matches. Young or not young the divisions are available for each age category as well as all rankings.

The location of the event is Complexo Municipal Esportivo do Casal Vistoso which is near the local metro and various hotels such as these listed by the IBJJF.

To register please go to: www.ibjjf.org

Enjoy the landmarks in Lisbon, Portugal when you compete at the 2013 IBJJF Lisboa Open!

On their journey of spreading Jiu-Jitsu competitions worldwide, the IBJJF has given Europeans a chance to compete in a high-level environment at a time other than the European Open every January. Located in Lisbon, Portugal, the Lisboa Open will be held on July 7.

The registration closes Saturday, June 29 and the IBJJF reserves the right to close registration if capacity is reached before its announced date. It’s a good thing they give us a heads up and a great thing to know is that capacity has not yet been reached.

If you’d like to rack up an IBJJF title on your resume, hang a respected medal around your neck and simply experience the joys of high-level competition without flying to the states, sign up now.

Follow Caio Terra’s lead and register early:

To register go to: www.IBJJF.org
For some hotel deals click here.

The Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Evansville, Indiana will be hosting ADCC, European and world champion Braulio Estima for a one-day seminar on June 16 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The cost is $125 and you must register by May 22.

Don’t miss the chance to work with one of the world’s top Jiu-Jitsu champions. If you’re in or around the area, confirm your spot ahead of time by contacting info@jiujitsuconcepts.com and once you receive your confirmation email, you can pay here.

For more information please visit www.thejiujitsuacademy.com

GMA Gracie Barra London Bridge will be hosting champion Victor Estima for a gi seminar on Sunday, April 21 from 2-5 p.m.

Victor is a second degree black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr. and has medaled at the most prestigious tournaments including a gold at the No-Gi Worlds and European Open. This seminar will be held at the Tokei Centre – 28 Magdalen St, London SE1 2EN, United Kingdom.