JW Wright, head instructor of GMA Gracie Humaita St Louis will be in Springfield, MO to teach a seminar on JAnuary 31.

The second degree black belt under Royler Gracie will be teaching at 12 p.m. at Springfield BJJ located at 648 S. Scenic, Springfield, MO 65807.

The cost is $60 per person.

To reserve your spot, please contact Brian Stuebner at 417-841-8250 or email brian@springfieldbjj.net

Learn more about JW Wright and GMA Gracie Humaita St Louis at www.grapplingconcepts.com

JW Wright receives his second degree. Photo: Personal archive

GMA member Professor JW Wright is the head instructor of GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis. He was honored at the Gracie Humaita annual meeting in San Diego, CA where he was promoted to second degree black belt under seventh degree red and black belt, Master Royler Gracie and fourth degree black belt Master David Adiv.

JW is also co-owner of Kozen Jiu-Jitsu, a clothing line and tournament series dedicated to promoting youth and adult Jiu-Jitsu in the Midwest.

Congratulations to JW and the GMA Gracue Humatia St. Louis team. To learn more, visit www.grapplingconcepts.com

Jena Bishop leads all-female training camp at GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis. Photo: Tyler Bishop

Text by Tyler Bishop

On May 2-4 GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis played host to the first ever Women’s BJJ Camp Midwest. The event was orchestrated by Royler Gracie black belt and 2013 brown belt world champion, Jena Bishop. The camp was designed to bring the women in the area together in one place to learn and train Jiu-Jitsu. The camp featured 30 participants of all ages, sizes, and belt levels.

“I never had many opportunities to train with other females when I started learning Jiu-Jitsu, so I have always wanted to organize something in this area that would facilitate that for others. Now that there are so many more women doing Jiu-Jitsu, it seemed like this was something that I could lead and take charge of,” said Bishop. Camp participants came from across the United States and from over ten different affiliations.  “There have already been a lot of requests for me to do it again soon. I would imagine that it is only going to grow. The feedback we have gotten has been very positive.”

The camp took place over three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and featured warm-ups, instruction, drills, positional sparring, open training, and a mock tournament. Jena also made sure that she rolled with every female that attended the camp. “The first time I ever really got to train with a female black belt was at blue belt, the next time was at brown belt. I wanted to make sure every girl that attended got that experience, because it was something I always coveted,” Bishop added.

Jena is currently training for the 2014 World Championships – her first at black belt. She plans to host more camps in the future, and is currently scheduling seminars for the second half of the year.

To find out more about future camps visit www.womensbjjcamp.com, or contact Jena Bishop at BishopBjj@gmail.com.

To learn more about Gracie Humaita St. Louis visit www.grapplingconcepts.com

You can follow more podcasts and info about the students of Gracie Humaita St. Louis by going to www.grapplingconcepts.com

GMA member Joao Faria of Gracie Del Mar will travel to Missouri for a seminar at GMA academy Gracie Humaita St. Louis on Nov. 3.

Professor Joao recently placed third in his division at the 2013 IBJJF Masters and Seniors Worlds. He also placed first at the 2013 Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship the weekend before in New York. And before that he won his MMA fight.

A proud instructor who focuses on helping his students as well as leading by example with an active presence in the competition scene, he has much knowledge to offer.

The seminar will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open to all teams and affiliations.

The address is 1070 Weldon Springs Rd., Weldon Springs, MO.

The cost is $60. To reserve your spot call (636) 614-9498

Learn more about Joao Faria at www.graciedelmar.com and Gracie Humaita St. Louis at www.graciestlouis.com

Jena Bishop earned her black belt from Master Royler Gracie and instructor JW Wright on July 13. Photo: Gracie Humaita St. Louis

American brown belt world champion, Jena Bishop, was promoted to black belt by Master Royler Gracie on July 13 at GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis. Gracie was in town for a seminar and surprised Bishop with the promotion after a spectacular performance at the 2013 IBJJF World Championship.

Jena submitted her way to the World Championship gold medal and lightweight brown belt title. Photo: Erin Herle

Jena Bishop finished atop the lightweight division at brown belt in June of this year defeating the likes of Angelica Galvao, Leanna Dittrich, and Kristina Barlaan, to name a few. Bishop also went on to place in the absolute, as the lightest competitor on the podium. “I am really excited for all of the new challenges that the black belt brings. This is my life, and I am just thankful to be doing what I love,” said Bishop.

Jena Bishop trains in St. Peters, MO at Gracie Humaita St. Louis under Professor JW Wright. Bishop is currently preparing for competition at black belt, and plans to compete more than ever before this year. “As an America female living in the Midwest it can be difficult to find opportunities to compete, but I am looking forward to traveling more and challenging myself more than ever this year.”  Jena Bishop is currently awaiting an invite to ADCC in October, and is preparing for the upcoming Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship  Trials.

Southwest Missouri Championships

GMA member JW Wright, leader of Gracie Humaita St Louis, invites you to be in Mt. Vernon on January 2013.

On that day, takes place the Southwest Missouri Grappling Championships at the Mt. Vernon Highschool.

The event is open for all ages and will features Gi and No-Gi divisions under the IBJJF rules.

For more info, go to midwestgrappler.com