After a couple of years straight down here I was really missing my skate. Thanks to the generosity of on the move stuntman/coordinator Ken Quinn, I am now mobilized on the streets of Rio. Although not the safest place to travel by skateboard in traffic, it gets me around a lot faster (and I enjoy it).
This week is off to a great start with good training and healthy food. The abundance and variety of healthy food here is amazing. While health suppliments are more than several times the cost of equal products in the US good food is everywhere you look.
Traditional Brazilian food
My lunch usually looks about like this…Grilled chicken, rice, black beans, steamed vegetables, farofa and fresh squeezed orange juice. Who needs overpriced imported protein powder and vitamins when food like this is inexpencive and easy to find. This meal with tip cost $3.00 US.
Monkey near the Academy
Seeing all kinds of wildlife that are not indigenous to Northern America is great. After a while one becomes accustomed to seeing it but just the same, it is good to make time to appreciate it during the day. The photo above was taken standing +/- 6 feet away from this little monkey a few blocks from the academy in Largo da Barra.
Jimmy Tang is a good friend who was awarded his black belt this September by Jean Jacques Machado in Tarzana, California. Not only did Jimmy get his black belt but he is now representing Jean Jacques as the Chief Jiu-Jitsu instructor at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts in Marina del Rey. Congratulations on both getting your black belt and the position as chief instructor at the IAMA.
Jimmy Tang
Jimmy is one of a list of my training partners and friends from the days of John Machado’s academy on the Miracle Mile in LA who have received their black belts. Doug Bacik, Mike Lee and Dave Swift are three more from John Machado who all earned their black belts (last December) congratulation to all of you too!
“Exercitando o Futuro” is a community project helping to point underprivileged youth in the right direction through the sport of Muay Thai. Eduardo “Edu” Pachu and Cadu Andrade head up the organization with the volunteer help and donations from many people in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Here are a few photos from their weekend picnic/football game October 11th. This is truly a great project well worth community support.
Thursday training 10/16/2008
This Thursday’s training wasn’t full but it was good training as always. Still more than a month off till Edu’s fight in the next Fury FC and a month till Rafael dos Anjos debuts in the UFC…both are already looking sharp.
Compliments of Edu
Rafael, “Pitty boy”, Rommel, Dennis
In front: Josh and Gustavo
Today two students from the kids class where promoted: Gustavo was awarded his yellow belt after winning his division this last weekend at Copa Kids, São Gonçalo and Josh his first stripe. Congratulations to you both!
The infamous Olivar Leite is sitting on a stock of top quality Faitex gear straight from Thailand that is going fast. Gloves, shinpads, focus mitts, headgear, jump ropes, etc. Anyone in Rio wanting to purchase these hard to find products contact him directly by email: olivarleitemma@yahoo.com.br
Congratulations to all the GJJ athletes who competed in the Rags AlfaBarra 2008. There where also a couple of guys who made time to come and coach all of the athletes there…Thank you Regis and Paulo ‘Samoa’ !
Regis
Samoa, Regis and I at Rags Copa AlfaBarra
I made it to the academy to see the tail end of the kimono training but was fortunate enough to meet up with Deigo Braga and Zen Mario Sperry for some no kimono. Zen Mario has some crafty attacks from inside the 1/2 guard that keep me backpedaling on the defense.
Zen Mario and Deigo Braga at GJJ (LB)
Having opportunities to train with all of the talent that is part of this academy (weather passing through or fixed there) and Gordo Jiu-Jitsu is something not to be taken for granted. I have come a long way from my native home to be a part of this and it is well worth the effort that brought me here.
Two of the Vikings who where here in Rio training at GJJ, Eivind and Daniel took home gold at the Norwegian Open Championships last weekend. Eivind in the 82.3kilo w/kimono and Daniel the 79 kilo No kimono. Congratulations!
Eivind and Daniel