Felipe Costa Seminar
We started out the year with a visit from one of my favorite people to train with and one of athletes that I coach and corner Felipe Costa. Felipe has made a name for himself by winning No-Gi worlds and taking 3rd at ADCC while medaling in the major IBJJF gi tournaments. He is fresh off winning a match against New Wave/Kingsway competitor in December and winning another grappling title in Russia.Â
He came in for a few days of training and teaching and it was great for the students to be able to learn from him and train with him. The hour and a half seminar focused on side control and mount while adding in tripod passing as well. His Q&A elaborated on his passing and then he followed it by training 21 x 3 minute rounds with the seminar attendees.Â
It was a great experience and to get his feedback on the students and academy gave a clear focus on what needs to be worked on going forward. We had a lot of rave reviews.
Tournament Results Austin Open/Grappling Industries
We also started the year with great results at the tournaments. Sam continued his winning ways at purple belt leaving with gold. While other competitors like Nathan and Bobby left with Silver Medals. Bobby just had another baby a few weeks ago, so big congrats to him.
Then on Feb 21st, we sent a small group down to Austin, Texas to compete in the IBJJF texas open. Keith won his division with Girish and Dwi bringing back medals. It was great to see even when guys weren’t winning, they were first to score and getting after their gameplan. A few things to work on before they head to California for Pans at the end of March.
Also congrats to the Catalyst Jiu-Jitsu team representing Six Blades at the Austin Open as well. My black belt Todd Kornfield won his division getting a couple nice submissions in the process and Tayler won her adult division as well winning her matches by submission. She is really starting to make some waves in her division as she prepares for the major IBJJF competitions this year.
IBJJF No-Gi Grand Prix
Lastly, I went down to coach for a few days in Austin, Texas at Six Blades Headquarters helping world champion Victor Hugo get ready for the IBJJF Grand Prix on Feb 26th for a $50,000 prize. Victor will be in a bracket with 7 other competitors including Michael Pixley, Pedro Marinho, Javier Barter. We worked a lot of positions we thought those matches would take place in. It was a great room, with several IBJJF major winners and of course my instructor Xande Ribeiro. World champion James Pupuolo also made the trip to get in training. While I am coaching these high level guys, I am also able to bring back so much of what I see to our academy and room. It is a ton of fun working with such high level and humble athletes where Xande brings such good culture from the top.
