GRACIEMAG.com showed up at Rio de Janeiro’s Benjamin Constant Institute, an institution specialized in the education of the visually impaired, this Tuesday, to check out the end-of-the-year training session at Felipe Costa’s project for needy visually-impaired children. At the edge of the mat, family members and guests watched on prideful, as the 20 kids practiced.

This year, thanks to donors, the children received gift packages including food, sneakers, shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops and, to everyone’s joy, two gis each.

Michelle Matta, Felipe Costa, João Marcelo, Raul Gazolla and Muzio.

If the presents were not enough, the kids also received a special visit from an actor famous in Brazil, Raul Gazolla, who also happens to be a Rodrigo Comprido black belt. Gazolla enjoyed teaching and training with the kids, even feeling the pressure when green belt Dudu, twice winner of the Copa America, had him in side control.

After training came the most anticipated moment of all, promotions and gift giving. Felipe Costa, Michelle Matta, João Marcelo and Muzio De Angelis spoke of the effort and dedication each of the athletes had exhibited. But Gazolla was the one most touched:

“I was really impressed with your level of technique. Regardless of any challenge, no one can take from us something God gives us, which is our inner strength. Imagine what you want, and you shall achieve it. I started training Jiu-Jitsu at 36 and now I’m 54, and it was one of the best things that happened in my life. It helped me in all respects, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Jiu-Jitsu will only bring you good things, so never give up. Congratulations to all and thank you so much,” said Gazolla to applause.

Michelle promotes little Caleb

In all, ten children were promoted. The talent and skill in the Gentle Art each possessed was apparent. White belt Caleb, upon receiving his belt, was congratulated not just for his Jiu-Jitsu ability, but mainly for his being an exemplary student on and off the mat. Timidly, the tiny athlete broke a broad smile. “I’m feeling better now because of Jiu-Jitsu. I haven’t competed yet, but I want to soon,” he told GRACIEMAG.com.

During the promotion ceremony, volunteer João Marcelo, then a purple belt, was caught by surprise. “I want to tell all of you that João is the soul of the project. He is the one who holds fort oftentimes when neither Michelle nor I can be here. So we of Brasa team decided to promote you, João, to brown belt,” said Felipe Costa. The newly-promoted brown belt fought to hold back his tears.

The only female in the group, Dalila Serpa, drew attention not just for her gender, but mainly for her firm grip and tight guard. Besides practicing Jiu-Jitsu and judo, she is a composer and singer.

Dalila holds her training partner firm. Photos: Gabriel Menezes

In the beginning, when she went to train Jiu-Jitsu elsewhere, Dalila hit an obstacle well known to the visually impaired, which she mentioned candidly. “When I showed up to train, I realized people were afraid to train with me for not knowing how to act,” said Dalila.

Was she bothered? “Of course not. I made a point of showing each of them I was capable of training with everyone there. After that they realized there was no reason to treat me any differently,” she said.

At the end of the session, a civil servant who watched the proceedings remarked to the reporter, “The size of the mountain doesn’t matter, it can never block out the sun; and that’s just what I saw here today. All these children represent the sun that shines under any circumstances.”

In 2008 GRACIEMAG.com was present to capture the vibrant kids enjoying the end-of-the-year party. The joy wasn’t inspired just by the gifts, but mostly for their winning, in every sense.

The group in 2008. Photo: Gabriel Menezes

Professor João Marcelo assays the three years of work, stating much progress with the children has been made.

“We increased the training load and class is packed with students. We managed four gold medals and now on the 12^th the kids will compete at the Jiu-Jitsu Copa America, organized by Abi-Rihan.

“The group has become ever-more united. But the principal progress was made in their character. The ones who noted this change are their teachers at Benjamin Constant Institute. Beyond that, they are treating their teachers and classmates better,” he reports.

The New Year’s resolutions for the program organizers include the elaboration of teaching material, as João Marcelo explains, “In the texts we tell a bit about Jiu-Jitsu’s origins, the history of the families that developed it and we explain tournament point scoring. All that for them to not get caught up only in practice so they can start citing some theory.”

As with in 2008, one of the program’s teachers, Michelle Matta, requests that anyone with the means to do so contribute to the project. Several students will be promoted at the Christmas get-together.

To donate to the project:

Michelle da Cunha Matta (CPF: 042.269.037-65)

Bank:Bradesco
Agency: 3233-6 conta: 83.657-5