Team Brazil ready to embark to the 1995 Pan. Pictures: Rodrigo Clark’s archives

There are only a couple of videos about it on YouTube.

It’s almost impossible to find pictures of the event as well.

The final results are not even posted either on the IBJJF or the CBJJ webpages.

Even so, it did happen.

On June 1995, the first Pan Jiu-Jitsu championship took place in Irvine, California.

The Brazilian athletes all flew together from Rio to compete.

Competitors and his medals after the tournament in California, in 1995.

Among them, people like Roberto “Gordo” Correa, Marcio Feitosa, Alexandre Soca, Rodrigo Clark, Marcelo Tetel, Rommel Cardozo, Leão Teixeira, Fernando Yamasaki, Vinicius Draculino, and many others.

GRACIEMAG founder Luca Atalla, then a 21-year-old competitor, also was there and managed to get a silver medal and report the event for the “Jornal Gracie”, GRACIEMAG’s embryo.

“I had five matches in the blue belt lightweight and ended up with the second place,” remembers Luca.

Leão Teixeira refereeing during first BJJ Pan-Ams, in 1995

Now master, José Henrique Leão Teixeira worked as a referee in the first Pan. He tells us a little bit about the adventure of organizing a championship in the ’90’s:

“It was a big test for us. Carlos Gracie Jr (CBJJ President) had the plan of doing a championship outside Brazil, once he felt Jiu-Jitsu needed to grow and that would only happen with a tournament in the USA. The idea was to have a Brazil vs. USA matches. The first challenge was to get visas to all the athletes, more than 40. We managed to have a meeting with the American Consul in Rio, Mister Olsen, if I’m not mistaken. We travelled with a huge group, many of which on their first international trip. We were welcomed by Joe Moreira in Irvine and the mood in the hotel was of complete euphoria. Everyone wanted to compete so much that the hotel manager reserved a separated room for the guys to train. It was great to see guys from all different squads rolling together. The day of the event begun with the Brazilian anthem playing and all athletes forming on the mat. I remember one great fight between Joe Moreira’s student Bob Bass and Marcio Feitosa, at brown belt.”

“It was a battle and Marcinho was defeated for the first time since he was a yellow belt”, remembers Leão Teixeira. “In the end, it was an event that many didn’t believe that we would be able to put together. We did everything, from setting the mats to refereeing. When we got back to Brazil we had the feeling of contributing with the growth of the sport.”

The group after rolling, at Joe Moreira’s academy

Rodrigo Clark, founder of Gracie Barra Santa Barbara, also recollects on the championship:

“The Pan 95 was a turning point in my life, on and off the mats. It was not only my first competition outside Brazil but also the first time I competed as an ‘adult’. I was only 17 back then and had only competed as a juvenile. It was an amazing experience to be able to compete with the big names of the sport. The actual trip to the USA was important to the development of Jiu-Jitsu. Until then, there was huge barrier dividing the academies in Brazil. After that championship, it started to change. During the trip, we had the chance to get to know our biggest rivals, which created a lot of respected among us. I remember the moment of boarding to the US, when we hardly knew each other and also the moment we came back, when new friendships were already formed. I’m sure that everyone that took part in that trip has a lot of great memories of those days of glory, fighting and fun.”

Rodrigo Clark and the rest of the team waiting to fly to the USA

Gold medalist Alexandre “Soca” Carneiro, leader of Soca BJJ in New York, was also in that group that travelled from Rio to compete in the USA. He tells us what he remembers of the first Pan.

“I believe it was my first international trip to compete. We had a trial in Rio to decide who was going and I won the right to compete representing Brazil. Sadly, when we got to California, Fernando Yamasaki decided not to compete in my division and instead fight my teammate Vinicius Draculino in the light-featherweight. I ended up with a medal without fighting. The event was cool, but there weren’t many competitors. The real good thing was to get a whole bunch of friends together from several generations and academies. I wish I had competed, but it was still nice to be there.”

Vinicius Magalhaes, aka Draculino, tells us what he remembers from the match: “It was a historical event and it was a pleasure to take part in it. We didn’t have many black belts back then. In my division, the light-feather, there was only me so I fought Fernando Yamasaki. This fight became the turning point where I decided to take my career in Jiu-Jitsu seriously. I knew that with that championship the sport had been launched internationally.”

This year, the Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship is taking place in March, in Florida.

Visit ibjjf.com and check the full results and more history about the tournament. Oss…

Rodrigo Clark with Master Carlos Gracie Jr

GMA member Rodrigo Clark had a big surprise earlier this week.

After a training session at GB Mission Viejo, during the team’s training camp for the 2014 Worlds, Clark was awarded with his third degree to the black belt.

The honor came from the hands of the team founder and leader Carlos Gracie Jr.

Clark talked about the graduation: “I was honored to receive my 3rd degree from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. today, during the GB Worlds Training Camp. It’s been a pleasure to represent the Gracie Barra flag and to be part of this incredible BJJ family for so many years. Gracie Barra forever!”

Rodrigo Clark runs Gracie Barra Santa Barbara, in California.

For more info, go to gbsantabarbara.com

Mauricio Grudsky is the first Chilean black belt under Gracie Barra. Photo: Personal Archive

At GMA Gracie Barra Santa Barbara, there is word of a new black belt in town.

Professors Rodrigo Clark and Juan Pablo Garcia granted a black belt to student Mauricio Grudsky. He is the first Chilean to earn a black belt under the Gracie Barra banner.

Congratulations to Gracie Barra Santa Barbara and Mauricio Grudsky on the prestigious promotion.

Learn more at www.gbsantabarbara.com

The Gracie Barra academy in Santa Barbara led by GMA member and 2nd degree black belt Rodrigo Clark have scheduled their celebration for two related anniversaries coming up. On September 27, the head instructor will celebrate his tenth year teaching in Santa Barbara along and the academy will celebrate their fourth year as an academy.

Rodrigo Clark began training Jiu-Jitsu when he was sixteen in 1992 and earned his black from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. The Santa Barbara Gracie Barra academy has been operating on State Street since August 2009.

The celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. and go until 7:00 p.m. at the school located at: 1014 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Master Vinicius ‘Draculino’ Magalhaes will be in town for a seminar so don’t miss the chance to celebrate a solid academy in the Santa Barbara town and learn from a decorated coach.

Learn more about GMA Gracie Barra Santa Barbara and the anniversary party go to: www.gbsantabarbara.com

Check out this highlight of the academy by Andres Quintero:

Shaolin (center) is returning to IBJJF competition.

The first ever Master & Seniors World Championship reached full capacity way before the scheduled registration deadline.

With around 1,000 athletes, the event is scheduled for this coming Sunday, October 7, and is set to be the stage for some great matches.

It’s your chance to be one of the first ever to hold a medal in the event.

GMA member Vitor Shaolin, a three-time world champion, is one of the BJJ stars who decided next Sunday will mark his competition return.

He says the fact that it’s the first edition is one of the reasons: “It is nice to compete in the first edition of an event. I competed at the first edition of the Worlds, back in 1996, and even before that, I competed at the first ever Pan, in 1995, a championship that’s not even in the official IBJJF records.”

The main reason Shaolin is back, however, is that he rediscovered his motivation:”In the last years I dedicated myself to different things like MMA and the running of my NY academy. Other than that, it is hard to train properly being a husband and a father of three. For this one, however, I found some time and the motivation is back. I will be there with 16 students, and that’s a big reason to go. I will also have great teammates like Robson Moura and Gustavo Dantas competing, so why not?”

Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, Alexandre “Gigi” Paiva, Eduardo Telles, Bruno Bastos, Rodrigo Munduruca, Paulo Guillobel, Cassio Werneck, Regis Lebre and Rodrigo Clark are some of the well known names who will see action next Sunday.

If you’re going to compete, don’t forget to arrive early, as the IBJJF warns of traffic issues due to the LB Marathon on the morning of the event. Find out more here and here.

Keep up with all the action here and at GRACIEMAG’S Facebook, Instagram (@graciemagazine) and Twitter pages.

Professor:

Black Belt Rodrigo Clark

Address: 1014 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone: 805 845 2272

Website: www.gbsantabarbara.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/graciebarrasantabarbara

About:

We offer world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for individuals, families, and Law Enforcement officials of Santa Barbara County and is a reference for fitness, character development, self-defense, martial art, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for the communities of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Isla Vista, Santa Inez, Lompoc and Santa Maria.

The Gracie Barra Santa Barbara classes are aligned with the Gracie Barra Program Structure developed by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. to meet specific learning needs from people with different ages, gender and levels. Our clean, friendly, and progress oriented environment allows the students to have a challenging, inspirational, and warm learning and training experience that always make them feel like coming back.

Gracie Barra is for anyone who values discipline, wellness, martial art, respect, and is looking for a well balanced life-style. It doesn’t matter if you are a person with no training background that wants to lose weight or learn self-defense, a busy business man looking for a stress relieving activity, a parent searching for an something to complement the education of your kids, or a experienced martial artist aiming for the further development of your fighting skills, come to the school.

We are sure you will find an exciting and challenging place that will allow you to achieve your goals.

Video:

Tijuca Tênis Clube. Foto: Arquivos GRACIEMAG.com

Uma das competições de Jiu-Jitsu mais charmosas e tradicionais no calendário da IBJJF terá início nesta quinta-feira, no ginásio do Tijuca Tênis Clube, no Rio. É o Internacional de Masters e Sêniors, evento que reúne a “molecada” da arte suave que já passou da casa dos 30 anos. Entre os inscritos, feras do pano que fizeram e ainda fazem história no esporte, lutando ou ensinando.

Dê uma olhada em alguns dos craques inscritos a seguir, e para ver a listagem completa no site da IBJJF, clique aqui.

Master

Felipe Costa
Pedro Raposo
Pablo dos Santos
Carlos Vieira Holanda
Bruno Ramos
Rodrigo Aleixo
Theodoro Canal
Eduardo Telles
Hugo Britto
João Paulo Marques
Cristiano “Titi” Lazzarini
Fernando “Soluço”

Senior

Gabriel Willcox
Omar Salum
Marcos Parrumpinha
Fredson Alves
Paulo Roberto Streckert
Jackson McVicker
Cesar Tozi
Rodrigo Clark
Roberto Godói
Francelino Gonçalves
Adimilson Brites
Reza Monfaradi
Rogério Poggio
Osires Maia

Fabio Leopoldo at 2011 Pan / Photo: Dan Rod

While the number of stars in the Pan 2012 adult division is flabbergasting, the over-30-year-old divisions are a rocky road unto themselves. As GRACIEMAG.com discerned, Irvine, California, will be awash with familiar old faces and seasoned champions come this Thursday the 29th.

Among those signed up for the master, two-time absolute champion of the world Rodrigo Comprido is in, as are professors Flavio Cachorrinho, Denílson Pimenta, Theodoro Canal, Aldo Caveirinha, Daniel “Mano Brown” Pires, Baret Yoshida, Rodrigo Clark, Thiago Silva, Bruno Bastos, Leonardo Peçanha and Roberto Tozi.

EX-UFC FIGHTERS IN SENIOR CLASS

Now in the senior division, Bernardo Pitel (who will also be putting in an appearance at adult) and Renato Tavares join the battle for light featherweight gold, Cleber “Tomadinha” Luciano and Paulo Guilhobel will compete at middleweight, while former UFC fighters Renato “Charuto” Veríssimo and Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida will take to the mats as medium heavyweights. And then there’s Roberto Godói at super heavyweight and Francelino Gonçalves at ultraheavyweight.

“I’ve never won a Pan. I’ve been runner-up and third place before, but never champion; and I want this title. The bracket will be really tough, as usual; but that will just make the conquest all the more satisfying, God willing,” says Francelino.

A fierce competitor who has won the championship on five prior occasions, black belt Fabio Leopoldo’s name appears on the IBJJF list, too. And he’ll be competing at home, amid his students. Check out some of the highlights involving the leader of Gracie Morumbi in Ventura, California, at the 2011 Pan. Watch and learn.

To see the full competitor list, click here.

What do you think, gentle reader; who makes it to the top of the podium in Irvine?

Fabio Leopoldo no Pan 2011. Foto: Dan Rod

Se o número de estrelas no adulto do Pan 2012 é de impressionar, na faixa etária acima de 30 anos os duelos tampouco estão moleza. Como o GRACIEMAG.com analisou, velhos conhecidos e notórios campeões do Jiu-Jitsu estão garantidos em Irvine, na Califórnia.

Entre os inscritos no master, o bicampeão mundial absoluto Rodrigo Comprido está dentro, assim como os professores Flavio Cachorrinho, Denílson Pimenta, Theodoro Canal, Aldo Caveirinha, Daniel Pires “Mano Brown”, Baret Yoshida, Rodrigo Clark, Thiago Silva, Bruno Bastos, Leonardo Peçanha e Roberto Tozi.

Ex-UFCs no sênior

Já na divisão sênior, Bernardo Pitel (que também aparece no adulto) e Renato Tavares devem brigar pelo título do peso-pluma, Cleber “Tomadinha” Luciano e Paulo Guilhobel disputam a categoria médio, enquanto os ex-UFC Renato “Charuto” Veríssimo e Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida se engalfinham no meio-pesado. Outros cascudos são Roberto Godói, no super-pesado, e o cearense Francelino Gonçalves na categoria pesadíssimo.

“Eu nunca venci o Pan, já fui vice e terceiro, mas campeão ainda não, e quero muito este título. A chave como sempre está muito difícil, mas isso só vai valorizar mais essa conquista, se Deus quiser”, diz Francelino.

Fera que já faturou por cinco vezes o torneio, o faixa-preta Fabio Leopoldo também aparece na listagem da IBJJF, e luta em casa, diante dos alunos. Confira alguns dos melhores momentos do líder da Gracie Morumbi em Ventura, Califórnia, no Pan 2011, e aprenda com ele.

Para ver todos os inscritos, clique aqui.

E para você sagaz leitor, quem chega em Irvine com garrafas para vender?

Montanha é professor na GB Miami. Fotos: divulgação.

Entre faixas-pretas como Pablo Popovitch, Rodrigo Cavaca, Renato Tavares, Roberto Cyborg e muitos outros, Daniel de Lima, o Montanha, foi um dos homenageados pela IBJJF no Miami Open 2010. Melhor ainda, o professor da Gracie Barra Miami venceu o absoluto master no evento, categoria que fechou com Rodrigo Clark, numa dobradinha de associados GRACIEMAG (GMA). 

“Fiz um bom combate contra o Jared Weiner, atleta do Lloyd Irvin. Consegui quedar e passei a guarda duas vezes para finalizar com a chave kimura. Ele tinha uma guarda muito agressiva, mas, com paciência, fui passando pouco a pouco, como o mestre Carlos Gracie Jr. ensina! Na final encontrei meu companheiro de equipe Rodrigo Clark, da Gracie Barra Santa Barbara, e fechamos a categoria”, comenta. 

Treinos com Georges St. Pierre.

Um dos homenageados do evento, em reconhecimento ao trabalho feito em prol do Jiu-Jitsu, a festa foi completa para Montanha. 

“É uma honra enorme ter o reconhecimento do nosso trabalho pela Federação Internacional e perante todos que estavam presentes no ginásio. Acredito que com atitudes desse tipo o nosso esporte cresce mais forte ainda. Tenho lutado por seis anos aqui em Miami para ensinar o Jiu-Jitsu que aprendi e este tipo de gesto por parte da Federação incentiva os professores a continuar com mais garra na divulgação da arte suave pela Flórida.” 

Além disso, o professor ficou contente com o resultado de um dos pupilos em Miami.

“O Manny Torres, meu faixa-marrom, venceu no senior o peso e ficou em segundo no absoluto. Ele tem 48 anos e desceu para o senior 1, porque o senior 3 não tinha nenhuma luta para ele. Ele ficou muito feliz por ter conquistado algo tão importante dentro do nosso esporte, depois de cinco anos de treino e muita dedicação!”, encerra.

Montanha teaches at GB Miami. Photos: publicity.

Along with black belts the likes of Pablo Popovitch, Rodrigo Cavaca, Renato Tavares, Roberto Cyborg, and others, Daniel “Montanha” de Lima was one of those paid tribute by the IBJJF at the 2010 Miami Open. Better still, the Gracie Barra Miami teacher won the absolute class of the master division, closing out with Rodrigo Clark, a double win for the GRACIEMA Association (GMA).

“I had a good match with Jared Weiner, a Lloyd Irvin athlete. I managed to get the takedown and pass guard twice, before finishing with a kimura lock. He had a really aggressive guard, but with patience, little by little I made it past, just like Master Carlos Gracie Jr. teaches! I then closed out the final with Rodrigo Clark, of Gracie Barra Santa Barbara,” he explains.

Training with Georges St. Pierre.

One of those honored at the event, in recognition of his work benefitting Jiu-Jitsu, to Montanha the party was complete.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized for by the International Federation and everyone at the gymnasium for the work we do. I feel that such attitudes will only make our sport even stronger. I’ve been here in Miami working hard teaching the Jiu-Jitsu I learned and this type of gesture by the Federation provides incentive for teachers to further there efforts in spreading the gentle art in Florida.”

Furthermore, the teacher was overjoyed with a student of his’ results in Miami.

“Manny Rorres, my brown belt, won his weight group and took runner-up in the absolute in the senior division. He’s 48 and dropped to senior 1 because there were no opponents for him in the senior 3 category. He was really happy about conquering something so important in our sport, after five years of training and lots of dedication!” he says in closing.

Montanha training with the UFC's GSP early this year. Photo: Debora Rosenn.

At last October 23rd’s Miami Open, the master & senior division boasted some top-notch Jiu-Jitsu, too.

After receiving IBJJF teaching diplomas from Rilion Gracie, in a ceremony met with heavy applause, the masters went to war.

Renato Tavares won the lightweight master division by beating Jared Weiner (Lloyd Irvin). Rhe medium heavweight champino was Marcio Silva (Brawler Academy), while Edson Diniz (ATT) made it back onto the winners’ podium after defeating Rodrigo Clark (GB Santa Barbara), in the medium heavyweight division.

With Rilion at center, Florida's teachers were paid tribute for good services rendered to Jiu-Jitsu in the region. Photo: Ray Santana.

At heavyweight, Todd Allen Cutler (Renato Tavares) took first, while Daniel “Montanha” de Lima won the ultra heavyweight division and the absolute. In the open weight division, Daniel took first, with Rodrigo Clark in second, and Jared Weiner and Ethan Day (Renato Tavarez) in third.

In the Senior 1 contest, absolute first place went to Romulo Reis Pereira (Gracie Elite Team), with Guilherme Arashiro (GB) in second, and Marcelo Rodrigues de Araujo (Gracie Elite) in third. Check out Romulo’s win below:

In the Senior 2, Marcelo Conti (Gracie Elite) won the absolute, with Hector Vasquez (GB) in second.

The next IBJJF champions on tap are the No-Gi Brazilian Nations, on the 30th in Rio, and the No-Gi Worlds, on November 7 in California.

For further information, click here.

Rilion, with Marcelo Araujo, Renatinho Tavares and world champion Rodrigo Cavaca. Photo: Ray Santana.