Posted by Tommy Hackett on 5th April 2008
The more I hear from BJJ black belts the more I hear about basics, basics, basics. That’s less than I expected about gogoplatas and flying armbars, and more than I thought about defensive posture and guard passes.
Here’s BJ Penn’s take on the matter as he begins his BJJ 101 instructional series, hosted on his site. Maybe we all can’t be BJJ mundial champions, but I think we can all use some pointers from one:
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Posted in Tommy Hackett, Training, jiu-jitsu | No Comments »
Posted by Tommy Hackett on 9th March 2008
by Tommy Hackett
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I’m approaching my 33rd birthday, and it’s no surprise that it doesn’t much feel like my 23rd. Mostly, that’s actually a good thing: unlike my early 20’s, I’m happily married, working a decent job, and about the happiest I can remember being. But, sometimes, it’s not so good. I don’t miss those days, but if you press me I’ll admit sometimes it’s a pain when you just can’t move as easily, or eat and drink as carelessly, as before.
In attempts to slow the process, I’ve given Brazilian jiu-jitsu a try… and the so called “gentle art” doesn’t always seem so gentle.
So if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for inspiration, and you just might be in luck. A few minutes listening to Felicia Oh, the 2007 Pan-American black belt champion, could turn your day around. In her blog, Oh responded to the notion of quitting BJJ when you reach your late 30’s:
“I turned 40 a few weeks ago. I started BJJ when I was 33. So, it would seem that it is never too late.”
As Joe Rogan might say, this woman is my hero.
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Posted in ADCC, Tommy Hackett, jiu-jitsu | 1 Comment »
Posted by Kendall Shields on 24th January 2008
Posted in Hidehiko Yoshida, Japan, Kendall Shields, Roger Gracie, jiu-jitsu, judo | Comments Off
Posted by Tommy Hackett on 20th January 2008
It’s a new day for Mario Sperry, the newest coach for the International Fight League.
The two time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and 13 year veteran of MMA is busy creating not only a new competition team and school, but one in a new home, in a new country, and for a new organization. While plans for his Las Vegas school are being finalized, he’s imparting his wisdom to students at seminars across the US, like yesterday at Marcelo Alonso’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Seattle. The occassion marked Sperry’s fourth visit to the Emerald City to visit his old friend from the Carlson Gracie Team.
Pictured: Mario Sperry demonstrates an entry into an armlock at last night’s Seattle seminar
Working with MMA and BJJ champions like Rodrigo Nogueira and Ricardo Arona may seem like a world apart from conducting a seminar where he may be expected to help introduce the “gentle art” to a new student. But in conversation with Sperry, the two appear to have a surprising amount in common.
“I’ve always believed that jiu-jitsu is a very simple art,” the world champion begins, taking a break as the seminar breaks between its gi and no-gi instruction.
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Posted in IFL, Interviews, Mario Sperry, Tommy Hackett, jiu-jitsu | No Comments »
