Michael Serg with his team. Photo: Personal archive

Within one year as a black belt, Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ has made strides in his Jiu-Jitsu career. At the 2015 IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open on Jan. 31 he earned his first gold medal and title at the rank of black belt.

This was his third tournament competing as a black belt and three’s a charm. Michael came out on top in the black belt master 2 heavyweight division against Royce Gracie black belt Jon Pyler and UFC veteran Rory Singer.

In his final, he was able to secure the win by a guard pass within the last 30 seconds of the match!

Michael, left, with Marcio Cruz, center, Rafael de Lima, right. Photo: Personal archive

The Marcio Cruz student attributes his success to his students and professor but admits there is always more to go: “I’m happy with winning gold, but I’m not satisfied. I have much to improve. I’m thankful for great students that push me in training and to Marcio for supporting me.”

Learn more about Michael Sergi and Serg BJJ in Savannah, Georgia at www.sergbjj.com

Michael Sergi in the blue. Photo: Erin Herle

Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ traveled from Savannah to NYC for the 2014 IBJJF New York Summer Open. Along with him came two students from his school and one other from Marcio Cruz BJJ.

In total, they took home one gold, one silver and one bronze. For Michael, this was his first tournament as a black belt. Of the experience he says, “I competed against some very good and very experienced competitors.” He earned silver in his medium-heavy weight class and a silver in the open class.

The team as a whole, Marcio Cruz BJJ, came in 24 out of 140 teams with only four competitors. Congratulations.

To learn more about Serg BJJ in Savannah, GA, visit www.sergbjj.com

Pe de Pano promotes first American black belt, Michael Sergi. Photo: Personal Archive

Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz promoted his on of his students to black belt over the weekend of April 26 – 27 at the 2014 IBJJF Boca Raton Open in Florida. This is the first American he has promoted to black belt

The student, Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ was given his black belt after winning gold in the brown belt masters 2 medium-heavy division.

He says, “I was happy about my performance and winning gold, but I was overwhelmed with joy when Marcio wrapped the black belt around my waist on the podium. I am proud to achieve the belt and even more proud that Marcio trusted me enough to make me his black belt. I know he has high expectations. I have a lot more work to do now.”

Learn more about this new black belt and his GMA academy Serg BJJ in Savannah, GA, visit www.sergbjj.com

The Serg BJJ team representing at the 2013 IBJJF Atlanta Open. Photo: Personal Archive

The Serg BJJ / Team Marcio Cruz Savannah Academy traveled from Savannah, GA to the 2013 IBJJF Atlanta Open on Saturday, Aug. 31. The team was comprised of eighteen athletes and they brought home eleven medals.

Ultimately, their small group came in tenth place out of a total of 73 teams that were representing at the international championship.

The list of individual athletes:

WHITE / Adult / Male / Rooster Brandon Hunnicutt
WHITE / Adult / Male / Rooster Jakob Williams
WHITE / Adult / Male / Light Feather James Moseley
WHITE / Adult / Male / Feather Parker Sass
WHITE / Adult / Male / Middle Samuel Norton
BLUE / Adult / Male / Light Feather Cody Keers
BLUE / Adult / Male / Light Feather Josh Sipes
BLUE / Adult / Male / Light Aaron Hines
BLUE / Adult / Male / Middle Dag Gay
BLUE / Adult / Male / Ultra Heavy Danny Hellmann
BLUE / Master / Male / Middle Trent Sikes
BLUE / Master / Male / Heavy James Owens
BLUE / Master / Male / Heavy JR Gay
PURPLE / Adult / Male / Heavy Austin Avera
PURPLE / Adult / Male / Heavy Dustin Waters
PURPLE / Master / Male / Feather John Rodgers
PURPLE / Senior 1 / Male / Middle Harry West
BROWN / Senior 1 / Male / Heavy Michael Sergi

In a facebook post addressed to his students, head instructor Michael Sergi said, “I’m proud of the way our guys competed and represented. I was very proud of the poise and confidence that each of you had in your matches. You not only represented well on the mats you represented well off of the mats. Your sportsmanship and respect for the other competitors/spectators deserves just as much attention. There were too many outstanding things that took place competitively for me to mention in this post. Know that your effort and attitude was judged way more than the results of your matches regardless of the outcome.

What must be addressed are the many thanks and words of appreciation for everyone involved. I appreciate the courage and commitment to the guys that competed this weekend. Each of you stepped up big. Without you we wouldn’t have achieved such a level of success. A big thank you to the team members that took the time to travel to Atlanta and support those competing. I want to mention all of your names, but there are too many to list. You guys are the best and your presence meant so much. Another big thank you to the family and friends that supported us back home. You play a big part of our success too. Another big thank you to Professor Marcio Cruz. Your guidance and words regarding your expectations for the team are motivating for all of us to set higher goals and accomplish bigger things.”

Congratulations to the Serg BJJ team, Michael Sergi and Professor Marcio Cruz in leading the team to their victories.

More information about Serg BJJ can be found at www.SergBJJ.com