The seminar on August 9 brought together the Las Vegas Jiu-Jitsu community. Photo: Frank Curreri

Read how the event unfolded through the words of Frank Curreri as he was in attendance of the historic event:

Anyone who owns a red-and-black belt, as Sergio Penha does, cannot help but be from “The Old School.” Part of that code, being a so-called “Man’s Man,” means masking weakness. It means that a guy like Penha, veteran of Grandmaster Osvaldo Alves’ ferocious dog-eat-dog style training sessions, would rather spend an afternoon getting teeth pulled in a dentist’s office, without anesthesia, than be caught crying.

Of course, even the most powerful and emotionally disciplined leader has an achilles heel. Especially when one of his longtime students, a black belt no less, meets a sudden death way before anyone imagined. Such a tragedy recently befell David Vanbuskirk, a police officer who died July 22 rescuing a stranded hiker in the mountains 35 miles from the Las Vegas strip.

Vanbuskirk successfully saved the hiker’s life – as he had saved hundreds of others throughout his career – but lost his own when his harness (connected to a helicopter) somehow came loose. A fun-loving guy who could light up any room with his near-perfect smile, Vanbuskirk was just 36 years old.

Sergio Penha address those present. Photo: Frank Curreri

A magical power of our art is how it transforms strangers into friends, and friends into blood. One day you’re training with a guy, a year later he feels like “family.” It’s a popular refrain and cliché in BJJ circles. Think about it: How many times have you heard a BJJ player say, “My students are like family to me” or“My teammates are like family to me”? 

Now let’s change gears and entertain another mental exercise: How often do you hear someone say “they are like family to me” about the instructors or students at the BJJ academy five miles down the road? The academy that is competing with your academy for the same students, the same dollars, for the same gold medals and bragging rights and prestige at local tournaments?

Maybe never, right?

Which is what made a recent Friday night seminar in Las Vegas so historic. Eighty BJJ players gathered at Xtreme Couture’s gym for a seminar that raised $10,000 for Vanbuskirk’s widow. Considering the price tag for admittance – a mere $50 – the 3-hour experience should go down as one of the greatest BJJ seminar bargains ever. I would have eagerly parted with $50 bucks to attend a seminar run only by Sergio Penha, famed for his epic match with Rickson Gracie and for leaping over brown belt entirely and going straight from purple to black belt. What certified the seminar as awesomely ridiculous is  that it, in addition to Penha, it featured technical instruction from five other top-shelf black belts from across the BJJ-rich Las Vegas Valley.

The rest of the formidable list of volunteer instructors: six-time world champion Robert Drysdale; world-class black belt Simpson Go; Amilcar “Mica” Cipili, a Royler Gracie affiliate whose teams have fared very well in local tournaments; Neal Melanson, the Jiu-Jitsu coach at Xtreme Couture who is a black belt in Judo and Hayastan under Karo Parisyan (and awarded Randy Couture a black belt in the same art); and Robert Follis, a BJJ black belt and one of the brightest (if unsung and often overlooked) coaching minds in MMA who has worked extensively with Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen and Matt Linland, among others.

Even the most seasoned BJJ player could learn a few things in a room packed with that much knowledge and experience, which may explain why at least 17 total BJJ black belts attended the seminar. The tragedy of Officer Vanbuskirk’s death and the watershed event that ensued provided a proper perspective for what it really means to be “family” in BJJ. A reminder that should echo across continents to any BJJ schools and instructors who may have gotten too wrapped up in the “us/them” mentality.

“We’ve come together; we are brothers,” Sergio Penha said while addressing everyone in attendance. “Drysdale, Mica …you know, we fight each other all the time when my students compete against your students. That’s the way it has to be, but we also have to respect each other. I respect Drysdale, Mica, Chad (Lyman) and everyone who shares the love of BJJ. I love this sport.”

Many different rivaling teams came together. Photo: Frank Curreri

“When I started doing this sport we didn’t have many rules,” Penha said. “I came from a time where, if a guy closed his guard, you lifted him and smashed him to the ground … You could go for the neck crank, you could go for the heel hook, you could do whatever you want, but there had to be respect. And that’s the way I respect every single one of you. If you step on the mat and you’re training every single day, I have respect for you because you are showing balls (holds both hands out wide and gestures).”

Randy Couture volunteered to participate in the seminar but was in Bulgaria filming the Expendables 3 movie and could not get the green light for a getaway, according to Chad Lyman, one of three Las Vegas police officers who dreamed up the seminar as a way to honor their fallen peer.

“We’re trying as a Jiu-Jitsu community to remember one of our own who fell serving other people. We came together in unity, doing something that we loved and that (Officer Vanbuskirk) loved,” said Lyman, who following the seminar received his BJJ black belt from Michael Chapman.

Given the amazing success of the August seminar – which was organized, planned and executed in just eight days – Lyman said officers are already discussing the possibility of making this an annual event to honor law enforcement who perish in the line of duty.

Penha with young Carlos (black gi) and Duda

While the GRACIEMAG team was keenly capturing every second of the epic matches that unfolded at the World Pro – the result of which will soon be in our beloved readers’ hands – I allowed myself a moment of introspection and took to evaluating another event that was, in my humble opinion, perhaps even more significant: The Abu Dhabi Kids Cup.

Nearly a month after watching the kids in action, I realized that in a decade we will have highly-competitive international tournaments – still predominantly won by Brazilians, sure, but that’s by no means a given. As with soccer, foreigners learn the game. Truth is, the kids are already learning, and there are already some young standouts brimming with promise for the adult category.

The greatest barometer for gauging my statement’s validity was hearing teachers here and even Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed himself ask the following question time and again: “Who is this kid?”

Kids they were, sure, but they put on tremendous displays of technique. Some examples:

Alaa Al Kayed and Aslan Nakhwa are Jordanians, eleven years old, and the former only didn’t get the finish in his first fight – then he warmed up. His build, strength, and agility in catching his opponents’ arms are reminiscent of Ricardo Libório, and hence his nickname stuck: “Liborinho” (“Little Liborio” in Portuguese).

The latter finished all his matches in the same manner: by snagging the armbar after pulling guard. Yes, Jordan has an excellent youth team – thirteen athletes showed up, eleven took home medals.

Jordan's pint-sized army won eleven medals.

Another major talent is Eduardo Penha, a half American half Brazilian. At fourteen years of age, Jiu-Jitsu is his birthright. His master is his father, Sérgio Penha, a stalwart competitor from the 1980s and teacher to a number of MMA fighters back in the United States.

“Dudu” Penha’s colleague Carlos Lozoya, 14, is another bulldozer. The little American walked right through his opponents. Emirates Team’s teachers witnessed the two sparring. According to Alex Negão, “They train like adults…”

Mohamad Zakaria – a 12-year-old Palestinian living in Abu Dhabi – is considered by many to be one of the greatest phenomenons to come out of the school Jiu-Jitsu program. He won by tapout in every one of the World Pro Kids matches, and he spends all his free time checking out positions on the internet. A fusion of zeal and talent.

Another ace from the Emirates is Ibrahim Hassan al Nuaimi, 12. He is from Al Ain, a town that is proving to be a breeding ground for young talent. Ibrahim won all four of his matches by tapout without so much as an advantage point scored against him. Calm and collect with a knack for getting back mount, he’s another one sure to garner applause in the near future. The really near future.

Little whiz Zakaria / Photos: publicity

Penha, com os pequenos Carlos (kimono preto) e Duda.

Enquanto a reportagem de GRACIEMAG não perdia um instante dos grandes combates do World Pro, cuja reportagem especial chega em breve para os leitores, eu me permiti um momento de introspecção, e tratei de avaliar o evento que, na minha humilde visão, foi talvez mais significativo. A Copa infantil em Abu Dhabi.

Percebo, quase um mês depois de ver a molecada em ação, que teremos em uma década torneios internacionais altamente competitivos, ainda com hegemonia brasileira sim, mas isso não será mais a regra. Como no futebol, os estrangeiros vão aprender. Na verdade, a molecada já está aprendendo, e já despontam as promessas para a categoria adulta.

O termômetro maior dessa minha constatação foi ver, repetidas vezes, os professores daqui e até o Xeque Tahnoon bin Zayed fazer a seguinte pergunta: “Quem é esse garoto?”.

Sim, eram garotos, mas dando um show de técnica. Alguns exemplos:

Alaa Al Kayed e Aslan Nakhwa são jordanianos, têm 11 anos, e o primeiro só não finalizou sua primeira luta, depois esquentou. Seu porte físico, força e agilidade para pegar o braço dos adversários fez alguém lembrar de Ricardo Libório, e por isso o apelido pegou: “Liborinho”.

O segundo finalizou todas no mesmo estilo, puxando para a guarda e pegando o braço. Sim, a Jordânia tem um excelente time infantil – compareceu com 13 atletas e levou 11 medalhas.

O exército miúdo da Jordânia faturou 11 medalhas.

Outro talento é Eduardo Penha, meio brasileiro, meio americano. Aos 14 anos, é filho de peixe, ou melhor de tubarão. Seu pai é seu mestre, Sérgio Penha, clássico competidor dos anos 1980 e professor de muitas feras no MMA na América.

Colega de Duda Penha, Carlos Lozoya, 15 anos, foi outro trator. O pequeno americano não tomou conhecimento dos adversários. Professores da Emirates Team presenciaram um treino dos dois. Segundo Alex Negão, “treino de gente grande…”

Mohamad Zakaria, palestino residente em Abu Dhabi, 12 anos, é considerado por muitos um dos maiores fenômenos do programa de Jiu-Jitsu nas escolas. Finalizou todas as suas lutas no World Pro Kids, e vive assistindo a posições na internet. Interesse unido ao talento.

Dos Emirados também vem Ibrahim Hassan al Nuaimi, 12 anos, residente na cidade de Al Ain, cidade que vem se mostrando um celeiro. Ele finalizou suas quatro lutas sem tomar nenhuma vantagem. Tranquilo e pegador de costas, é mais um que todos vão aplaudir no futuro próximo. Bem próximo.

A ferinha Zakaria. Fotos: Divulgação.

Carlinhos e mais três faixas-vermelhas, durante o Mundial 2010. Foto: Ivan Trindade.

Depois do encerramento do 15º Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu, no domingo dia 6, Carlos Gracie Jr. planejava vir da Califórnia para o Rio de Janeiro.

Antes da viagem, o GRACIEMAG.com conversou com o mestre fundador da Gracie Barra sobre o nível do evento, sobre a condecoração dos três novos faixas-vermelha e preta e sobre a atuação do sobrinho Roger e do filhão Kayron. Confira algumas de suas análises:

Roger e o tri absoluto
“Roger mais uma vez demonstrou a eficiência do Jiu-Jitsu simples, bonito, e mereceu o título absoluto. Por ter lutado no Strikeforce poucos dias antes, deu sinais de que esse fantasma da transição do MMA para o Jiu-Jitsu esportivo não é tão assustador assim, quando se domina o Jiu-Jitsu básico.”

Destaques do Mundial 2010
“Gostei de muitas lutas, e de muitos competidores. Os campeões da faixa-preta foram fora-de-série, mas numa visão da arquibancada, a gente também percebe que há lutadores muito bons que no entanto não fazem a luta ficar boa. São vários motivos, o jogo do cara é muito justo, o oponente também não se mexe, os caras não se arriscam muito – e a luta fica estagnada, não tem aquele toma-lá-dá-cá que levanta o torcedor.
Por isso, independente de vencer ou não, um Marcelinho Garcia, o próprio Roger, o Kron, Kayron e outros caem no gosto do público, pois a luta é boa, a qualquer momento pode acontecer uma coisa inédita, uma reviravolta. Gostei das lutas do Kayron também por isso.”

Homenagens
“Os professores Romero Jacaré, Maurição Gomes e Sergio Penha já tinham dado entrada na IBJJF pleiteando a nova graduação de faixa-vermelha. Basta chegar a 31 anos como faixa-preta formado, comprovar a situação junto à Federação e o professor está apto a tornar-se um faixa-coral.
Decidimos então que seria uma homenagem legal durante o evento. A IBJJF entregou aos três um certificado, outorgando o direito de usarem a faixa. Mas a faixa quem entrega é o mestre deles, ou um aluno de destaque em caso de impossibilidade.”

A multiplicação da faixa-coral
“A cada Mundial estamos sempre dispostos a fazer homenagens desse tipo, e aproveitamos e deixamos claros os critérios que regem o Jiu-Jitsu e a graduação à faixa vermelha-e-preta. Há muita gente por aí amarrando a faixa-coral com menos de 20 anos de faixa-preta, alguns com dez anos somente. Não temos como controlar, mas sempre seguiremos e reforçaremos a regra universal instituída por nossos grandes mestres. Então quem comprovar junto à IBJJF que tem 31 anos de faixa-preta, terá a graduação certificada. Basta o professor se interessar e procurar a Federação.”

Romero Cavalcanti, entre os alunos Alexandre Paiva e Fabio Gurgel.

A Alliance sagrou-se pentacampeã mundial por equipes, no Mundial 2010, com Gracie Barra em segundo e CheckMat em terceiro.

Foi, definitivamente, um Mundial inesquecível para Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti, que recebeu da IBJJF seu certificado de faixa-coral sob os holofotes e aplausos de todos, juntamente com Sergio Penha e Maurição Gomes, pai de Roger.

Após mais de 31 anos como faixa-preta formado – único critério para tornar-se um faixa vermelha-preta –, Romero tinha dado entrada na IBJJF para receber o certificado, e hoje recebeu enfim a nova faixa nos EUA, em cerimônia emocionante – que orgulharia certamente o mestre de Jacaré, Rolls Gracie.

Parabéns a todos, E vida longa ao mestre Jacaré!