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Forged mma opens

The forge martial arts academy expanded in to the world of mma on the 30Th October with a new cage and extension on the gym. Its a great step forward to the gym and for john as its given everyone a great lift more mat space and the cage and extra classes are attracting lots of new students already. With Ross Pettifer, Sam Bolt, Dave Keeley and Chris smith already fighting for the forge team hopefully we can now bring some new and exciting fighters through. looking forward to next year for Ross's big return to the fight circuit after a few years away, Sam bolt to take his already excellent fight record on to the pro circuit and Chris and Dave planning to fight in the new year.

The Lads Get there Belts..

I was very pleased to see my training partner's Max , Ryan and Noel get there purple belts this week from Lagarto. Ryan's belt was due a long time ago but due to his training schedule he wasn't present at Lagarto session's to receive it. Max the pirate has been my training partner now for 2 years. He started training only a few months before I did so this has become a journey shared. Well done mate. Last but no means least is Noel or the madrev as he is affectionately know, he wears a clerical collar and a faixa roxo. Well done guys.

Judo with the GB team

Last week we were lucky enough to have some of the GB squad stop by at judo. I did'nt get there names as It was a big class on the night. They were hopeful of competing at london 2012 so good look to them. It was a great chance to see high level judo though and inspired me to make sure I make the time too attend more judo classes and give it the time it deserves.

Helio..............You Live On.

Just a small piece on Helio Gracie's passing this year. The original Master and teacher. The inventor, Inspiration, life style guru .............. Many things have been used to describe him. I Don't want to get into that now, Master Helio is fine by me and its not my place to judge how history has remembered him and what part he has played in this sport. Others will do that who were there at that time. This video shows Helio fighting the legendary kimura. Helio was nine years older and weighed only 63 kilo(sourced from Rickson's site). Kimura on the other hand was the heavy weight Judoka champion of the world at the time(Also claimed by many to be the greatest to have ever lived). Kimura was so sure of his powers he said that, If the Helio could last 3 minutes he can declare himself the winner. Kimura did win the fight. but it lasted 13 min.

Braulio.... The Legend..

So as the year ends there's a few things I hope to cover,Respectfully Helio's death. Rogers domination of the world. But with Roger not competing at the Adcc's this year there was the chance for someone to claim to be the next superstar. So lets get this right. Every two years you have the chance to compete against the best in the world. Invite only so you better be well known to start with. Also if your over 30 you won't win, well is hasn't been done yet. So you've got 5 chances that's it. Under twenty hasn't been done, yet. That's if you're invited. So really 3 or 4 chances is the norm, your either not ready or past it. Roger who double winner joined Adcc legends Ricardo Arona and Mark Kerr. With Roger not competing this year the absolute was open well more then normal, Axande, Galvao, Marcelo..... were there in fact everyone you don't want to meet bar Roger were. So win your own weight category and then win the absolute (open weight) and your a legend, well when one man said Braulio will do it, maybe we should listen when That man is Roger Gracie,in fact you should put money on it.

Lagarto Big Class

Lagarto held one of his big classes at The Forge martial arts centre on the 8/11/09 there were a few promotions and stripes handed out. Just like to say congratulations too my good friend Russ who received his purple belt. Russ trains hard not only in BJJ but also in Muay Thai and judo where we train together. his belt was overdue in many peoples opinion one of which was mine. There's a few other of my good training partners who are ready for this belt and I Hope I can report on this soon. On a personal note I received my first stripe on my purple from the big man himself, Obrigado Lucio.