Group picture from black belt seminar at Triton Fight Center / Photo: Triton Fight Center Facebook

GMA academy Triton Fight Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma is known for bringing BJJ black belts from all over for seminars at their academy, but this time on April 19 and 20 the academy’s head instructor, black belt Piet Wilhelm, hosted an incredible gathering of 10 black belts from different academies to share the mat with their knowledge and experience.  Black belts from all around the country traveled to be a part of this event.

The two-day seminar was Jiu-Jitsu galore with instruction from Forrest Flanary a.k.a. “Classy Grappler” (Team Isreal Gomes) from Houston, TX, Keith Owen (Team Pedro Sauer) from Boise, ID, James Foster (Team Giva Santana) from Seattle, WA, and Renato Tavares (Team Carlson Gracie Sr.) from Vero Beach, FL.

Also among these were black belts Christian Derr (Jean Jacques Machado BJJ) from Owasso, OK, Kentrick Coleman(Renato Tavares BJJ) from Del City OK, John Church (Triton Fight Center BJJ) from Muskogee, OK, Mike Harris (Triton Fight Center BJJ) from Mount Vernon, MO and Rafael Santiago (Guto Campos BJJ) from Amarillo, TX.

If you are ever in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area, Triton Fight Center takes pride in being a drama-free and anti-BJJ politics environment.  They welcome anyone without an ego or negative attitude.  Keep an eye out for more events like these to come.

Visit http://tritonfightcenter.com or call 918-25-CHOKE for upcoming seminars.

Khalifa Murad Lal Nassrati and his professor, with the medal. Photo: Disclosed

Jiu-Jitsu constantly surprises and thrills us. In Abu Dhabi, a young orange belt with a disability in his hand understood what to be special really means.

In the fifth edition of WPJJC held last week, Khalifa Murad Nassrati Lal, 13, was the tournament champion after winning his four fights – three by submission. The four fingers missing on his hand weren’t a problem.

The student of Pedro Damasceno, black belt from BTT, had already won the WPJJC last year and begins to be recognized by peers and authorities of the country.

With nearly four years of Jiu-Jitsu training, Khalifa trains every day in the morning and afternoon with Professor Pedro at his school in the city of Al Ain, in Abu Dhabi.

Pedro recalls that early in his career in Jiu-Jitsu, the boy got a little discouraged until the black belt had an idea to motivate him:

“One day, I showed Khalifa a video of (professor and ADCC champion) Jean Jacques Machado, and he was very impressed to see that there was a great fighter with a reality like his,” he recalls.

“After seeing the video, he told me, “Professor, I will continue to train every day to become a black belt and become a great champion like Jean Jacques. And my nickname may be ‘Little Jean Jacques’,” says Pedro Damasceno.

Do you know other exciting stories with Jiu-Jitsu and the kids? Share with us and your community.

Fabio Clemente helps guide his students at GMA Alliance NYC / Photo by Erin Herle

Fabio Clemente is a leader for many aspects of the sport. He spread the art to places it hadn’t seen, gave opportunities to now top athletes and paved the way for many after him.

GRACIEMAG.com made a visit to his GMA academy on 3rd Ave in New York City this month. As the first Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York, this upstairs nest is home of many champions from past and present.

Fabio Clemente is a black belt under Rigan Machado, coming up in the ranks alongside the Machado family. “I was a blue belt at the same time as Jean Jacque Machado,” he says.

After moving to New York and opening his NYC academy, Fabio became part of the Alliance banner. Not long after the move, the promotion to black belt and the changing of teams, Fabio took the responsibility of sponsoring one Alliance member to move from Brazil to the states. This athlete was Marcelo Garcia.

What you might not know about Fabio beyond his accomplishments and Jiu-Jitsu flagship in the states is his love for photography. In fact, he has worked in Paris for Vogue and many other prestigious fashion outlets. He has since put away the lenses once the digital era erupted and having kids, but he still maintains a strong eye.

After some time with Marcelo teaching at the Alliance academy, the split was made and the Marcelo Garcia Academy was born. Thereafter came another champion: Lucas Lepri.

While Lucas trained and taught classes, the academy helped create a competition atmosphere that only furthered the intensity for team Alliance on the competition mats. Lucas has since moved to teaching at the Alliance Headquarters in Atlanta, GA, but the intensity in New York still remains.

Black belt Leo Iturralde from GMA Alliance Ecuador trains with white belt at Alliance NYC / Photo by Erin Herle

Training at the academy finds people of all ages, genders and ranks. Black belts train with white belts, company is kept tight and the inside jokes are plenty. It is a tight knit family who welcomes any who buzz their door. Many students have been given the opportunity to teach at other places around the town and even at the main academy, allowing full-time focus as an easy option. Fabio maintains a strong lead but a soft hand as he treats his students like his own children– both of whom train religiously.

Check out this video below of the technique of the day taught by Fabio Clemente with his student and assistant, David Bass:

Don’t miss the photos as well. To learn more about the second Jiu-Jitsu academy established in New York, visit www.AllianceBJJNYC.com

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