November 2008 - News Archives

Black Belt Ceremony 2008... Simply Spectacular!
11/23/2008

Words are not enough to describe such event. It was a fantastic, flawless night.

Hundreds of students and special guests filled out the YMCA gym to capacity! There wasn't a single seat left, chairs or bleachers. The support from family members was unbelievable and our students experienced one of the most powerful events a Jiu Jitsu Academy could possibly provide.

Mestre Renzo Gracie: THANK YOU! Not only for honoring us with your presence, but also for bringing along your amazing Black Belt students and friends. We know how crazy your schedule is, and that only makes us appreciate your generous efforts even more!

Special Guests, Professors or not: Thank you so much for coming! 30 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts in attendance is not something you see everyday. Hard to describe, even. Also among them, many Mixed Martial Arts sensations, all of them sharing wih us such significant moment. Your support will always be instrumental, as we represent something a lot bigger than our own names. The unity and brotherhood found in Team Renzo Gracie can't be reproduced.

Students and family members: Congratulations! Graduates or not, you made this event a tremendous success! Thank you!

Happy helpers: It couldn't have been done without you and your hard work. From our girls at the merchandise stand to the many volunteers who helped transport and set up the mats, unfold chairs, etc, how could we thank you enough?

Mike Swain: Thank you for the mats. It was an honor to have our Ceremony be held on the same mats used for the Pan American No Gi Championship held earlier this year.

Prof. Almeida greatly appreciates all of the help he has gotten in his life and never forgets where it comes from, so based on that, he speacially awarded with beautiful plaques his best friend/instructor/brother/mentor Mestre Renzo Gracie as well as his greatest friends Luca Atalla (Editor-in-Chief, Gracie Mag), Gene Dunn, Thomas Clifford and Nick Lembo for their ongoing support and contribution to the sport that we all love.

Now, attention students:

We NEED your feedback! Let us know about your experience, take some time to put in writing all of your thoughts regarding such special event. Email your comments to info@ricardoalmeida.com and PLEASE, send some pictures our way! We'd love to post them! Only 1 picture per email please, otherwise the page will never load.
 Send us your best shot!

Enjoy the pictures and CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We had the time of our lives!!!!

 PS: Tom DeBlass, don't think you fooled us for a second. We knew you'd cry...

Happy helpers: Left: Mrs. Casey Long (Erin), Mrs. Steven Bongiorno (Danielle),
soon-to-be Mrs. Nichole DeBlass and Mrs. Stephanie Ibrahim!
Thanks, girls! Your help was instrumental.

 Chris Liguori - Not only won the ROC belt on Friday night, but also got his Purple Belt.

 Greg Moon gets his Brown Belt

 2008 Blck Belt graduates.

The man himself, Martin Rooney with his beautiful daughter Sofia.

Bod Dashnow, Chad Beatty

 Travis Wells gets his Brown Belt.

 Our dear and always supportive Roger Gracie.

 Bob Dashnow gets his Black Belt.

Our very own Max working hard.

 Chad Beatty and Steven Bongiorno get  1st Degree on their Black Belts.

"Tiny Pal" John Rallo, Mr. and Mrs. Lembo.

 Nick Lembo is awarded a beautiful plaque.

 John Dibianco gets his Black Belt from Renzo Gracie.

 Emily Kwok gets her Black Belt.

 Renzo Gracie, Matt Serra, Mike Codella. Luca Atalla.

 Chris Liguori, Frank Edgar.

 Frank Edgar gets his Purple Belt.

 Thomas Clifford receives his plaque.

 Luca Atalla receives his award.

 Nick Lembo.

 Tom DeBlass gets his Black Belt.

 Gene Dunn and his beautiful award.

 Drew Puzon gets his Black Belt.

Kyio Morie gets her Black Belt. Kyio drove to the Academy from and to Atlantic City 3 times a week for the past 10 years! That's a 2 hour-drive each way. Special!

 Casey Long gets his Purple Belt.

 Mark Colangelo gets his Brown Belt from Renzo Gracie.

 Michelle Scarcelle gets her Purple Belt.

 Mestre Renzo Gracie. Always smiling!

 Mestre Renzo Gracie appreciation award.

 Dante Rivera gets his Black Belt.

 Tom DeBlass gets his Black Belt.

 
 John Danaher, Gene Dunn, Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Almeida, Matt Serra.

 Professors:
Gregor Gracie, Alan Teo, Gene Dunn, John Houben, Larry Norman, Rolles Gracie, Jamal Patterson, Dante Rivera, Steve Kim, Steve Bongiorno, Art Keintz, Mike Boyle, Igor Gracie, Chad Beatty, Luca Atalla, Tom DeBlass, John DiBianco, Emily Kwok, Drew Puzon, Brian Walter, Mike Codella, Matt Serra, John Danaher, Ricardo Almeida, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Bob Dashnow and of course,
Mestre Renzo Gracie.

Black Belts Also present but not in the picture: Roger Gracie, Andre Gusmao, John Rallo.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, guys!

Here we go!

 We have our first letter, and we are not surprised that the most dedicated student a teacher could possibly ask for is the one who is most thankful for the experience:

 
    "A Black Belt and what it means?  I am sure each Black Belt has their own meaning of what being one means, so I certainly cannot speak for them.  However, I can take the time out to let everyone know what it means to me.  When I first started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu all I was concerned with was competition.  After some championships won I soon realized this was a very small piece of the puzzle.  You see there is nothing "individual" about Jiu-Jitsu, even a championship.  Especially when you are part of this team. 

Our Lineage is blessed with so many great champions it is hard to ever think of yourself more then a grain of sand on the beach.  However, when given the chance to help others reach their goals through Jiu-Jitsu, this alone is what makes one stand out.  To everyone on their Journey to Black Belt, please never underestimate the POWER of Jiu-Jitsu.  It saves lives and gives people a new found happiness that is hard to understand, until you have actually helped people find it.  With nearly 250 students under my wing and well over 1,000 individuals I can call my teammates, I realize Jiu-Jitsu is about family, respect, loyalty, and devotion. 

The true meaning of Black Belt is one who recognizes all of the ones who helped them get their.  I have a great teacher and brother in Professor Ricardo and have spent many days with him, and you can be assured, even after the Black Belt the first thing I will always do is give my Professor a bow and hug when I see him, because I realize without him there would not be a school called Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 250 students, championships, or any Black Belt.
 
I would like to thank God, who blesses me each day.  My Mother and Father whom I love so much.  Ally Almeida for believing in me the way you do, my beautiful Fiance and soon to be wife Nichole, God has truly blessed me with you my love.  All of my friends, and family.  All of my training partners esp. Steve Kim, Casey Long, and Haz for dealing with me on a daily basis.  My students who I would gladly give my life for each and everyone one of on any given day.  It's true I would die for all of you.  My Professor Ricardo Almeida for teaching me the meaning of what a Black Belt is and teaching me so many of life's valuable lessons.  Now it begins!
Tom DeBlass"

Black Belt Ceremony This Saturday! Are You Coming?
11/17/2008

We have already confirmed the attendance of 30 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts!

If your name is not on the guest list, you will miss out. There's history in the making, guys.

PLEASE, DON'T FORGET YOUR GI.
All students will be wearing them, incuding our special guests!

Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 5:00PM
Location: YMCA Sawmill
185 Sawmill Rd.
Hamilton NJ  08620
Phone: 609-581-9622

Professor Almeida feels right at home next to his two instructors:
Gracie Barra founder Mestre Carlos Gracie Jr. and legendary Mestre Renzo Gracie.

Please check out the updated list of our VERY special guests coming from many parts of the entire Eastern region:

  
 5th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Prof. Almeida's Instructor
 Mestre Renzo Gracie

1st Degree Brazilian Black Belt under Renzo Gracie
Prof. Gene Dunn

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under Mestre Royler Gracie
Thomas Clifford 
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Deputy Attorney
Nick Lembo

 Parisi Speed School Director and Strength and Conditioning Expert

Martin Rooney

and

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts:

Professors

 Rolles Gracie

 Igor Gracie

 Gregor Gracie

 Daniel Gracie

John Danaher

Matt Serra
 
Luca Atalla

Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro

 Alexandre "Soca" Carneiro

John Rallo

 Rob Constance

Andre Gusmao

Brian McPherson

Chad Beatty

Steven Bongiorno

Larry Norman

Jamal Patterson

Art Keintz

Brian Walter

Mike Boyle

John Huben

Steve Kim

 Magno Gama

Augusto "Tio Chico" Vieira

 Leonardo "Tunico" Leite

Andre Laport

Mike Codella

A special shout out goes to our fellow associated instructors and students who will be traveling very long hours from Saratoga Springs, NY and Auburn, Maine. Prof. Chad Beatty and Coach Travis Wells are making the great effort to bring many of their students to be a part of our BB promotion day.

You have never seen so many Black Belts in one room. And they will be training live with you!

We will see you there. Can't wait!

 

Mestre Renzo Gracie Visits RABJJ!
11/17/2008
By Ricardo Almeida.

" 'Are you back training?' in a demanding tone was the first thing I heard when I called Master Renzo Gracie to confirm the seminar we were to hold at RABJJ this past Sunday. Not 'How are you?', 'How are the kids?' or 'How is your  Injury?'.
It is only now that I write  about this past Sunday that I realize that if I was training everything else should be 100% OK.

I believe every person needs a teacher, a tutor, a guide. Someone who has treaded before them and knows where the
'quick sand' and shortcuts are.

Although I haven't heard much about shortcuts, there's been plenty of quick sand and even tougher obstacles to overcome, and  the times  I applied myself the hardest, immersed myself in training, taught the most classes , things just always seemed to fall right into place. It was a good reminder from the man I chose as my mentor.

I am very grateful for having Jiu Jitsu in my life and still am as excited about the next technique or the next class as
when I was a White Belt in Brazil. I will forever feel indebted to my friend Marcelo Rezende who introduced me to Jiu Jitsu.

As myself, most students at RABJJ are referred to the school by  friends and family members. In the spirit of thanksgiving, this past Sunday Mestre Renzo Gracie himself was at the academy  teaching a seminar to
RABJJ students and their guests.It was great to see some people put on their Gi's for the very first time and have the honor of their very first class with one of the biggest Legends in Jiu Jitsu and MMA.

I would like to personally thank Mestre Renzo Gracie for his generosity, as well as RABJJ students
and their guests for their participation in this special event.
Ricardo Almeida"

If you missed it, here are the pictures:

 Autism Speaks, It's Time to Listen.
11/17/2008

It is not a very usual thing in the past few years for anyone to see Prof. Almeida doing seminars all over the world like he used to, due to his many new demanding commitments in life. But since late last year, he made a commitment to raise awareness regarding such impactful issue, which has been growing extremely fast over the past 5 years.

Ten years ago, 1 in every 10.000 children were diagnosed with Austism. Now, 1 in every 150 children are diagnosed every day. That is 1 in every 90 boys. That's so alarming, to say the least.

This past weekend, it was Renzo Gracie Black Belt, Prof. Mike Codella and his Academy's students ( Staten Island ) who worked with us towards the cause. What a great Academy, full of fantastic teachers and students who were super excited not only about Prof.'s visit but also to be a part of such noble project.

We'd like to thank Prof. Mike Codella (who will also be one of our special guests at RABJJ's BB ceremony this upcoming weekend) for inviting us to his school, for introducing us to his students and his beautiful family and for raising a great amount of money that will help raise Austism Awareness.

If you'd like to be better informed about Austism Spectrum Disorder and help out in any way you can, please click on the link below:

www.autismspeaks.org

Here are some of the pictures from a great Gi and No Gi seminar:

The beautiful Codella family.

 RABJJ Academy New Website is finally up!
11/17/2008

We hope you liked the changes, guys!
Check out our brand new video gallery, our soon-to-be finished online store, and most importantly,
our awesome Associated Schools listings!

As we promised, always stepping up a notch! Enjoy the new layout and share with your friends and families.

Ring Of Combat This Weekend. Let's Support Our Boys!
11/17/2008



Coming up this weekend:
 Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat XXII - Championship MMA


The card is stacked with some of the best Team Renzo Gracie fighters, ladies and gentlemen.
Some of RABJJ's finest, our boys Dante Rivera and Chris Liguori are the main stars of the nigh fighting the last bouts of the event, as well as RABJJ Academy's great friend Igor Gracie from Renzo Gracie's Academy in NYC! Professor Almeida has been helping train these warriors day in and day out, so they can get out there on Friday and have a great time!

Also on the card students representing our brother  Matt Serra's Academy and our friends at AMA fight club.
Team Renzo all the way!
Here is the information about the event, make sure you purchase your ticket before the event sells out! Let's represent our Academy in great fashion like we always do!

Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
Fri, Nov 21, 2008 09:00 PM

Tickets are still available, please call 732-822-1353 to grab your own while you can.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.




Left to right: Igor Gracie, Frank Edgar, Chris Liguori.


 



Top: Coach Bo, Jimmy, Frank Edgar, Chris Liguori, Roger, Neiman Gracie.
Bottom: Dancy Debrosse, Prof. Almeida, Prof. Igor Gracie, Rafael "Sapo".

On a side note, Frank Edgar will be fighting his next UFC bout against Matt Wiman next month, and Frankie is looking GOOD! We'll write more about it as the fight gets closer.

Good luck to all of you, guys! We'll be there to cheer you on!

CONGRATULATIONS!
11/17/2008

Let's fill the room with love and congratulate the happy parents-to-be, men and wives:

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Clifford
 Mr. and Mrs. Matt Serra
Mr. and Mrs. Rolles Gracie 
Mr. and Mrs. Frankie Edgar 
and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Liguori .

All of us at RABJJ wish you the best! CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the Eastons!
11/17/2008

We couldn't be happier for such amazing friends! Professor Amal Easton and his beautiful wife Casey tied the knot in a fantastic ceremony in Colorado! Prof. Easton is one of Mestre Renzo's long time student and an unbelievable, multiple times Champion Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, as well as a great friend of all of us here at RABJJ.
We wish you both and Baby Ella a lifetime of happiness, and again,
congratulations to some of the finest people we know!

All of us at the Academy hope to see you again soon!

News from RABJJ Central Maine!
11/17/2008

 Check out a great article about Coach Travis Wells, head Instructor of our Associated Maine Academy:

____________________________________________________
Martial artist

By Kevin Mills , Staff Writer
Monday, November 17, 2008

LoadPhoto(); LoadRelated(); It was a competition, social event and marketing opportunity all in one day.

When Travis Wells competed in the Pan American No-Gi Championships last month, he was just hoping for a good showing.

"I just wanted to go in there and represent well," said Wells, a Turner native and graduate of Leavitt Area High School. "You want to go in and do your best, but you want to be able to represent your school and who you're fighting for."

Wells trains under Ricardo Almeida of Hamilton, N.J. He also runs and teaches at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Academy Street in Auburn.
(click on the link below to read the full article)...

http://www.sunjournal.com/story/292055-3/LocalSports/Martial_artist/