I’ve got some very exciting news to report! We’re honored to have a new guest coach in town, Carlos “Sapaõ” Ban. Sapaõ, who’s a close friend of Edson and a Ralph Gracie black belt, will be spending the summer months with us here in Marbella, teaching BJJ, grappling and his specialty, MMA.

Carlos has spent almost a decade living and training in the United States, first in California with his teacher Ralph Gracie, and then most recently taking up residence in Las Vegas, perfecting his MMA at the Brazilian Top Team (Las Vegas), with the full support of his sponsors, Manto Fight Wear, Jiu Jitsu ProGear.com and Koral Kimonos.

In just the first week in Marbella, it’s amazing to experience a completely new BJJ game, as well as Carlos’ unique approach to training. In addition, Carlos speaks perfect Spanish and American english!

You can read more about Sapaõ at the link below, or feel free to come by Platinum Gym on Mon, Wed and Fri at 8:00 pm, Tues and Thur at 6:00 pm (MMA/grappling) for some great training. Of course, Carlos is available for privates and seminars while he’s here.

http://barrabrothersca.com/index_files/bio.html

• Our very own Pablo Cabo is heading off to Brazil to compete in the BJJ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. This is big time stuff. Pablo’s been training mano-a-mano with Edson for a month or so. He’s totally ripped, and ready to go. Good luck, Pablo– we’re all hoping the best for you, as you represent Spain and Gracie-Barra.

• Jude (above left) is down from the UK to train with us for a few months. He’s a recent Roger Gracie black belt, and a long-time buddy of ours. He always claims to be “out of shape”, but we know the truth.

• Bruno (above right) a BJJ purple-belt from Portugal, came down to Marbella for some quality beach time and training with us. Bruno is one-tough-dude, let me tell you (he submitted me in about 10 seconds with some kind of weird handlock from the guard), but is one of the nicest guys we’ve met. Was great having you Bruno, and we hope to see you back soon!

• Our Swedish buddy Andreas Tjärnberg came down for a week a sun and training, and showed us a few “Goshindo” moves. Great seeing him again!

• The club just keeps growing and growing. Just last night, we had three new Brits join up and a new BJJ purple belt from Brazil recently moved to Marbella. Edson has been showing us a great series of attacks and counters from the spider guard.

• We’ve got a HOT NEW CHICA DEL MES. Check out Olga, From Russia with Love.

• Last, but not least, we’re all looking forward to heading down to the Rota military base on 22 July, for a BJJ and grappling tournament hosted by the US Navy & Marine Corps. Be sure to contact Vinnie Carlucci at CarlucciV@nctams.rota.navy.mil if you’d like to participate, or signup online at:

  http://www.teamchoco.carluccifamily.net/

Un monton de cosas excitantes estan pasando este verano:

+ Nuestro compañero Pablo Cabo está planeando ir a Brasil para competir en el campeonato mundial de Bjj. Pablo ha estado entrenando mano a mano con Edson durante un mes aproximadamente. El está preparado para ir. Mucha suerte Pablo. Estamos todos esperando lo mejor para ti, como representante de España y de la Gracie-Barra.

+ Jude (a la izquierda de la foto) ha bajado de Inglatera para entrenar con nosotros durante unos meses. El es un recien cinturón negro de Roger Gracie, y un viejo conocido de nosotros.

+ Bruno (a la derecha de la foto), cinturón purpura de Portugal, vino a Marbella a pasar unos dias de playa y entrenar con nosotros. Dejame decirte que Bruno es un tio duro (el me finalizó aproximadamente en 10 segundos con una llave de mano desde la guardia), pero es uno de los mejores tios que hemos encontrado. Fue bueno el tenerte Bruno, y esperamos verte pronto de vuelta!

+ Nuestro Buddy sueco, Andreas Tjärnberg, viajó por una semana de vacaciones y entreno, y nos enseñó algunos movimientos “Goshindo”. Fantastico volver a verlo!

+ El club continua creciendo y creciendo. La pasada noche, tuvimos tres nuevos miembros británicos y un nuevo cinturon purpura de Bjj de Brasil que recientemente se desplazó a Marbella. Edson nos ha estado enseñando una magnifica serie de ataques y defensas desde la guardia araña.

+ Tenemos una nueva chica del mes. Olga, desde Rusia con amor.

+ Para el final, pero no lo menos importante, nos estamos preparando para el campeonato de Bjj y Grappling organizado por la US Navy & Marine Corp, en la base militar de Rota, el 22 de Julio. Si quieres participar, contacta con Vinnie Carlucci, en Carlucci@nctams.rota.navy.mil o realiza la inscripción en:
http://www.teamchoco.carluccifamily.net

As we continue to prepare for the European’s, tonight’s training was a test of endurance. We trained six-minute circuits of takedowns, guard passing, and guard defending. Man, it was hard (but fun! Ok, maybe not so fun…) (Oh, that was, of course, after our warmup 20 minute Spinning class with Don Psycho.)

We then moved on to tournament-like competitions, beginning on our feet. I fought with Pablo, and man is he getting good. I think he’s going to medal for sure at the European’s, and he’s probably getting close to purple-belt by now.

As you can see from the above photo, the group is growing, and we’ve got a super cool place to train!

After class, we all did the “Spa Circuit”. The lovely girls working at Platinum explained the circuit — (1) quick shower, (2) 15 minutes in the jacuzzi (5 minutes in each of the three jacuzzi “zones”), (3) quick shower (4) 15 minutes in the steam room, (5) quick shower and finally (6) 15 minutes on the heated waterbed. This gym is almost too good to be true!

Como continuación de nuestra preparación para el europeo, esta noche fue un entrenamiento para mejorar nuestra resistencia. Entrenamos un circuito de 6 minutos que constaba de proyecciones, pase de guardia y defensa de guardia. Fue muy duro (pero divertido! Ok, a lo mejor no tan diverido ..)(Ha, y fue después de 20 minutos de spinning con el Sr. phicopata).

A continuación realizamos un entrenamiento de competición, empezando en posición de pie. Yo luché con Pablo, y está mejorando mucho. Estoy seguro que está preparado para una medalla en el Europeo, y está probablemente muy cerca de obtener cinturón púrpura.

Como puedes ver en la foto de arriba, el grupo está creciendo, y tenemos un sitio inmejorable para entrenar!

Después de clase, todos hicimos el “circuito de Spa”. Las preciosas mujeres que trabajan en el Platinum nos explicaron el circuito — (1) ducha rápida, (2) 15 minutos en el jacuzzi (5 minutos en cada una de las tres zonas de jacuzzi), (3) ducha rápida (4) 15 minutos en la sauna, (5) ducha rápida y finalmente (6) 15 minutos en las camas de agua caliente. Este gimnasio es demasiado bueno para ser verdad!

Existen diferentes modos de pago, incluyendo entre otros un único pago para tres meses de 249 Euros, que incluye ser miembro a todos los efectos del gimnasio ( puedes realizar todas las actividades incluidas como jiu-jitsu, gimnasio, spa, etc.).

De todas maneras, es Enero, y eso significa entrenar para el Campeonato de Europa a finales de mes en Lisboa (Portugal). Muchos de nosotros llegamos una hora antes, ya que el entrenador del gimnasio nos ha preparado un programa especial para mejorar el cardio para poner en forma al equipo. Dejame contarte que son 30 minutos de pedaleo tres veces por semana conducidos por un instructor de spinning español psicópata. Estamos seguros de estar en forma para final de mes.

En el apartado relacionado con nuestro entrenamiento, se incluyen técnicas específicas para competición. No voy a entrar en detalles ya que no quiero revelar nuestros secretos. (Ok, solo uno – Nosotros vamos a empezar todos los combates desde la posición de Karate Kid).

Para los interesados en ir al campeonato, aqui están los detalles:

http://www.cbjj.com.br/english/european2006.htm

There are several pricing options, including a three-month deal for 249 Euro, including full gym membership (i.e. everything — jiu-jitsu, gym, spa, etc.)

Anyway, it’s January, and that means training for the European Championships at the end of the month in Lisbon (Portugal.) Most of us arrived an hour early, as the gym’s Spinning coach has prepared a special cardio program to get the team in shape. Let me tell you, 30 minutes of pedaling, driven by a screaming Spanish psychopath spinning instructor three times per week, and we’re sure to be in shape by the end of the month.

Training itself involved mostly techniques specific to competitions. I won’t go into it more than that, as we don’t want to give away any of our secrets. (Ok, just one secret — We’re going to start all fights in that one-legged duck stance from Karate Kid.)

For those of you interested in going, here are the details:

http://www.cbjj.com.br/english/european2006.htm

Update: For those not quite familiar with the sport of grappling– Despite what it looks like, Bray and Jeff, in the above picture, are actually participating in the act of combat. There is absolutely nothing romantic going on there, and Bray is not trying to pull Jeff’s pants up just a little bit higher.

Well, it’s the holiday season, and that means trying to balance training with travel and Christmas activities. Your humble author is presently in the US, in the middle of an absolute eat-a-thon. And being in the US, that means training at my home-away-from-home, the Gracie-Barra gym of Paul Creighton Mixed Martial Arts, in Duluth, Georgia.

I met Paul about three and a half years ago, when his gym had an enrollment of about four students. Last night, we had a hard time finding room for the nearly 20 people! (And that was the “advanced” class, which takes place after the “beginners” class at 5:45 pm.) The place is definitely growing, and that’s great for Paul and the sport in the northern Atlanta area.

Training in Duluth also means getting see my old buddies like Bray, Josh and whirlwind Mark. It’s been a lot of fun. Last night we did a guard pass (no-gi, passing the butterfly guard) and a leg bar submission.

The news from Marbella (via Mike) is that Edson’s received a great offer, and we’re now training at the brand new Platinum Gym, in downtown Puerto Banus (five minutes from Marbella.) Mike reported that the first night of training was great, although Jose Antonio submitted him about three times. Jose, we better see you at the Europeans!

(Speaking of the Europeans, how in the world am I going make weight by 30 January, given my commitment to have at least one Starbucks Mocca Frappuccino per day???)

Tonight we trained a nice pass of the sitting guard, and a standup judo-related takedown. We sparred for about 30 minutes at the end of class. Now that Edson is training hard, we really see his talent!

Be sure to check out a video of tonight’s technique!

The training focused on defending the back position, with some special training for about 20 minutes.

As part of our training we then did some tournament simulated fighting, beginning on our feet (we do this from time to time). The first match-up was yours truly (me) against Pablo Cabo. Unfortunately, my undefeated record came to an end, as I lost to Pablo 2 points to 2 points, with him winning by advantage. It was a tough fight, with both of us getting a takedown (2 points).

The great news of the day was our first belt graduation! The following students received awards:

Blue belts:

• Matt (me): 3 grades
• Jose Antonio: 3 grades
• Ben: 3 grades
• Mike: 3 grades
• Cesar: 3 grades
• Dani Capoiera: 3 grades
• Pablo Cabo: 3 grades

White belts:

• Dani Nagore: 3 grades
• Antonio: 3 grades
• Leo: 3 grades
• Reza: 3 grades
• Pasi: 3 grades
• Jarno: 3 grades

Congratulations everybody. Let’s get ready for the Europeans!

Ah, be sure to frequently visit the students photo gallery as we add student photos weekly.

We had a lot of fun at training tonight. Edson showed us some techniques for taking the back position, attacking from the back, and defending from the back. We spent about 20 minutes in specific training, and then about 30 minutes in live sparring. Edson’s recovering well from his broken hand, and is back sparring with the guys.

Jose Antonio was back tonight from his 25 day trip to Argentina, and, unfortunately for the rest of us, he did lose much technique during those days. ;-)

And most importantly, we decided that we’re going to introduce a “Chica del Mes” (Girl of the Month) section for this website. Stay tuned!