Some of the women at GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira. Photo: Personal archive

Women don’t always need their very own class to start training but it certainly helps. The women who train at GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira in Stamford, CT earned their very own class two months ago and now the total of girls training is 13.

While some were already training with the guys in the regular classes, there were the ones who joined just recently given that they had each other and only each other to begin their Jiu-Jitsu journey. It helps when women have other women to train with because men can be intimidating. We know that Jiu-Jitsu was made for the weaker, smaller person however it takes a few lessons before realizing this. And an introduction can be scary without someone your own size.

Cesar Pereira has created an atmosphere for the women where they can learn and face similar challenges with similar people who will know what they’re going through.

He says, “Everything started with beginners/ fundamental class. As I had women in this class, I decided to open a women’s class, because some women felt more comfortable training among each other than with guys, also women who never tried BJJ before, and watched the class felt less intimidated. I’m always saying to them that BJJ is a self-defense for itself, that they can get self-confidence to face the problems even outside of the mat and get in shape, of course.”

Watch this highlight of the women’s program at C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira and learn more about the program at www.c3athletics.com

Cesar Pereira seminar at RSCP BJJ/ Eight Points Gym

GMA member Cesar Pereira of C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira in Stamford, CT traveled to his student’s academy to teach a seminar on Friday, Feb. 13. The event was held at RSCP BJJ/Eight Points Gym in North Carolina under Rick Screeton, who received his black belt from Cesar.

Those in attendance were students ranked from white belt to black belt. Cesar taught takedowns, omoplata attacks from closed guard using the lapel. He moved onto avoiding half guard and deep half guard as well as how to pass from those positions. Also, a trick submission from top half guard.

As part of the ceremony, Cesar also made a big promotion. Rick had a brown belt, who is also a muay thai champion, training under him and teaching alongside him. Cesar helped Rick promote Chris Clodfelter to black belt. Chris also teaches the muay thai program and is a professional MMA fighter.

All in all a successful night.

Learn more about Cesar Pereira and GMA C3 Athletics/Cesar Perieira at www.c3athletics.com.

The kids program at C3/Cesar Pereira. Photo: Personal archive

Stephane Smarth, muay thai coach of C3 Athletics/Cesar Pereira where Cesar runs the Jiu-Jitsu program, has found that belt promotions are about something more than just skill. They represent core values and the success of the Jiu-Jitsu program under Cesar. See what Stephane has to say about the program and all programs in regards to stripes and belts:

“It’s that time of the year again when the adults and kids take it to the mats for belt promotions, and as each student lines up by their respective belt ranking, the instructor and those assisting prepare to change these adults’ and kids’ lives. Strips of white tape are torn and placed on the edge of the ring ready to find a new home on over 30 belts. As the students stand attentively, Cesar Pereira begins the promotions with a speech; a speech that addresses all the hard work they’ve put in and more work that needs to be done.

Since the inception of the adults program 3 and 1/2 years ago and kids program a couple of years ago, I have watched a program with just 4 or 5 students flourish to full, blown-out . Specially talking about kids martial arts program with ages ranging from 4 years old to 12, all types of personalities and characters interacting with one another, it can sound like a daunting task to work with a large group of kids, but Cesar does it with such ease and patience– understanding that each student is different and working with them individually.

On the mats, and even off, the students listen to Cesar. They respect him, look up to him and have gained a great deal of trust in him and his teaching. Day after day, these kids put their gis on, tie their belts, bow to the mats, line up and train. Day after day Cesar has them warm up, do basic drills, and execute the technique for the day. Whether they are working from side control, performing an armbar from the mount, or a triangle choke from guard, the kids are constantly being pushed and tested, both mentally and physically.

Many of the students have been in competition, many of them bringing home a medal, and many more will follow. His expectations are not just set on the mats and training, but also in being able to put together what he’s taught and executing those techniques where it counts. Where Cesar excels, however, is not in just teaching Jiu-Jitsu, but also in teaching many values the students can carry throughout life. Values such as discipline, respect, teamwork, self-esteem and confidence are all instilled in each student. He provides them with structure, creates a fun and exciting learning environment and does it in a way the students are not only receptive to it all, but they also reciprocate it.

Ultimately, that’s what belt promotions are about. Not just the execution of technique and going into competition, but also about students carrying out the core values infused in them by their instructor. As each stripe gets placed on a student’s belt, or belt colors change, it is a constant reminder of not only all the hard work they’ve put in over the course of a few months, but also the discipline they will carry with them forever.

It’s been an absolute pleasure watching these kids grow and transform into Jiu-Jitsu students, but without Cesar Pereira, there is no kids program. He is the reason for its success, how it has evolved over the years and the driving force behind its continual growth.”

Learn more about C3 Athletics and Cesar Pereira at www.c3athletics.com

The 2014 IBJJF Pro League middleweight champion, Vitor Oliveira, will be in the town of Stamford, CT for a seminar on Dec. 7.

The multiple-time IBJJF medalist and champion will be lead a class for both gi and no-gi at GMA C3 Athletics. Cesar Pereira will welcome the Pan No-Gi champion to share his knowledge with anyone who wants to learn, no matter the affiliation or team.

The seminar will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The location is C3 Athletics: 330 Fairfield Ave. Stamford, CT.

For GFT and C3 members, you can catch your spot for $45 until Nov. 26, $55 until Dec. 2 and $70 after Dec. 2.

Non-members will pay $75 per person.

To learn more, go to www.c3athletics.com

C3 Athletics team at the 2014 Harrisburg Open. Photo: Personal archive

On Saturday, Nov. 1, GMA member Cesar Pereira took his team to the 2014 Harrisburg Open tournament held by the Pennsylvania State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federsation.

Cesar is head instructor of GMA C3 Athletics and also spends his time refereeing at tournaments such as this one this past weekend.

His student David Rodriguez was the big name in the blue belt adult, winning the middle division in both gi and no-gi. He also conquered the blue belt adult gi open class.

Some of his other students earned medals as well. While they did not win the team trophy, they still brought home eight medals: 3 golds and 5 silvers.

Learn more about Cesar Pereira and C3 athletics in Stamford, CT by visiting www.c3athletics.com

C3 team at the CT State Tournament 2014. Photo: Personal Archive

Over the weekend on Sept. 20, the 2014 Connecticut State BJJ Championship was held in New Milford, CT. One of the teams present on the competition mats was GMA C3 Athletics under Cesar Pereira who traveled from Stamford, CT.

When Cesar was not standing in as a referee in the middle of the mats he was coaching his students.

Overall, the team earned 4 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals. Here are the athletes and their results:

Alucha Menni /Kids Male White/Grey Rooster – Gold/Bronze
Alexa Broems /Kids Female White Middle – Gold
Ioannis Economids /Kids Male Grey Middle – Silver
Trevor Perkins /Junior Male White Light – Bronze
Evyn Nile Christiansen /Junior Female White Medium-Heavy – Bronze
Nicole Melendez /Adult Female White Medium-Heavy – Silver
Alexis Davalos /Adult Male White Light
Eric Gonzalez /Adult Male White Ultra-Heavy – Gold
David Rodriquez /Adult Male Blue Middle – Gold & Open Class Silver
Ryan Duhe /Master 1 Male White Medium-Heavy – Silver
Katherine Ng /Master 2 Female White Light – Silver
Young Kim /Master 2 Male White Ultra-Heavy – Silver
Mario Silva /Master 2 Male Blue Light

A standout athlete for the team was David Rodriguez who not only won gold in his blue belt adult middleweight division but also earned silver in the blue belt adult open weight class.

Learn more about C3 Athletics at www.c3athletics.com