Graduation ceremony at Vita JJ

GMA member school Vita JJ, in Portugal, had a very special evening on march 10^th.

Professor Sergio Vita promoted 47 students to new belts, from the grey belt for kids to the much celebrated black belt.

The ceremony had over 150 students in attendancy.

After the graduation, students celebrated the 10^th anniversary of Professor Sergio Vita in Portugal.

Vita spoke to the group: “What matters to me about my students is not the rank they hold but their honor, character, humbleness and loyalty! Never forget that!”

Congrats to all!

GMA member Sergio Vita invites all for the Lisboa/Cascais Portugal WPJJ trials.

The event is scheduled next february 25th-26th, at Pavilhão dos Lombos, Cascais.

The winners of each division will compete at the main event with all expenses paid, next April.

For more info, go to worldpro-portugal.com.

GMA member Sergio Vita has some great news about the recent European Open.

Icon JJ Team, formed by Vita JJ and other schools, had a great showing in Lisbon.

The team finished first for the second year in a row at the white belt division and also won the Master and Seniors division.

Vita talked about the accomplishment: “That shows that our organization is evolving nad getting better. Our goal for next year is to win again.”

Individually, Vita also excelled, as he tells us: “I finished third at the lightweight and was the runner up at the absolute, fighting Saulo Ribeiro at the final.”

GMA member Sergio Vita has been teaching Jiu-Jitsu techniques at a self-defense project for Portuguese police.

The classes have been full and the jiu-Jitsu techniques are very useful for the police job.

Vita talks about it: “To be in shape, to have quickness when taking decisions in critical moments and to learn a martial art are all tools to a safer police job”.

For more info, go to vitateambjj.com.

Black belt Anderson Pereira welomed fellow GMA member Sergio Vita for an Icon JJ Team tournament, recently.

Professors Berilo Júnior, from Barcelona; Zé Marcello, from England and Xandinho Izidro, from France, were also present.

The event had also a seminar by Master Crézio de Souza, a Carlson Gracie black belt.

He taught gi and nogi techniques.

Vita talked about the purpose of the event: “We want to unite the team to make a lot of noise at the upcoming 2012 European Open, in January”.

GMA member Diogo Valença, of Gracie Barra Paço dos Arcos, is the vice-president of the Portuguese BJJ Federation, affiliated with the IBJJF.

The event was a huge success with athletes ranging from 4 to 54 years old.

The massive attendance of competitors made this years event the biggest so far.

The final teams results were as fllows:

1) Arte Suave – Prof. Marco Carneiro
2) Nova União Fight Planet – Prof. Manoel Neto
3)  Vita Team – Prof. Sérgio Vita (also a GMA member)

The FPJJB released on its website the appreciation for all involved in the event: “Congratulations to all athletes for the perfect behavior and sportsmanship. We also like to express our gratitude towards the professors for their great work on spreading BJJ in our country”.

Now, the Portuguese BJJ community gets ready for the 2011 European Open, scheduled January 27th-30th.

Pictures by FPJJB.

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