November 16, 2005

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. Click Events for details. Photos to be updated soon.

Rules Clinic

Once again we'd like to thank all the academies, athletes and staff from throughout the State that participated and assisted with this event to make it our biggest and most successful ever; and of course huge thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of Jiu-JItsu in the islands. As a side benefit and thanks to each of you, portions of tournament proceeds also went-on to benefit the Saint Louis Athletic Department and the Red Cross Katrina Relief Fund. Big Mahalo's also to Mr. Todd Los Banos, Saint Louis School AD, for his continued support of our event, and of course the students & staff of Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu for the extra long hours and hard work. We'd also like to thank the American Institute of Massage Therapy for the countless complementary massages they provided to our athletes -- for those that were on the receiving end of those professional hands, you'll agree that it was an invaluable service and heaven felt. (BTW, If there is anyone who was not able to receive a massage at the tournament, and would like to make an appointment, please feel free to contact Monty White for in or out-call service. Institute team members work throughout the islands. Contact: Monty White 808-392-6153 or monty_lmt@yahoo.com)

We sincerely hope this event was a competitive, enjoyable and positive experience for most of you; most especially for the many outer island competitors and their families that had to incur the added travel expense and effort to join us on Oahu. In total we had over 250 athletes competing, which included nearly 3 dozen children and 2 dozen academies representing Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. To be honest, as organizers, the large turnout did catch us a bit off-guard, but a great deal was learned and corrections will be made -- in future events of this size, we will be prepared to have added rings on stand-by to increase the flow of matches, and will be adding a second p.a. system to make formal (individual) medal presentations as weight/division brackets are finalized. We feel it is important in the future to have all competitors, most especially our keiki's, individually recognized on the awards stands for their hard-fought wins and accomplishments.

Ken Ito in classic pose.

If you have any comments or suggestions that might help us improve future events, please do not hesitate to contact us; or if you'd just like to tell us about your positive or negative experiences, we'd love to hear from you. As a side note, we do apologize to some that may have experienced questionable calls and scoring, and hope you do understand that as volunteers and human beings, our referees (representing all academy affiliations) are doing the best they can given the circumstances, but be assured, they will make mistakes from time-to time -- such is the unfortunate nature of any game which relies upon human judgment to make calls and decisions. In future events where questionable calls may arise, our referees (regardless of academy affiliation) will be given the final authority to issue or reverse points, or lack thereof; and in future events, referees will not be allowed the aid of video playback in their decision making process. With so many kids and families present and involved in these sporting events, our main concern is always that we as adults (and BJJ Instructors)  behave as role models, convey proper sportsmanship, and ensure the sport/art of Jiu-Jitsu is portrayed in a positive light -- when athletes and their coaches argue, rant and rave when calls and points are less than  favorable to their athletes or team, this serves no ones interest except your own. While this type of behavior may be an acceptable practice elsewhere, such behavior needs to stop here in Hawaii for the sake of our keiki and our sport/art.  

Once again thanks for coming-out and supporting the sport of Jiu-Jitsu, and hope to see you at our next event.    

Full "Medal" Jacket

June 9, 2005

• Thanks to our sponsors, and to all the students and staff of the following academies for participating in the 2005 HAWAIIAN OPEN OF BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, and continuing to help further and support the sport of Jiu-Jitsu in the islands: Relson Gracie Academy, Casca Grossa Aiea, Relson Gracie Kaneohe, Gracie Kailua, Longman Jiu-Jitsu, HMC, Nova Uniao, North Shore Jiu-Jitsu, Maui Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu, Wahiawa Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling Unlimited, Baret Submission Grappling, Alliance, Jesus is Lord, 808 Fight Factory, City Boxing, JKD Unlimited, BJ Penn MMA, Knuckles Fightclub, Arc's Combat, and Kauai Technical Institute. Words of appreciation also to the students and volunteers of Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu UH Academy, and Mr. Todd Los Banos (Saint Louis School AD), for all your help, hard work and dedication; and to the returning members of 1/3 -- thank you for inspiring us all! See Events Page for tourney results, and event photos will be forthcoming.

• Our own Sidney Silva was in the news recently for an unscheduled fight in his own kitchen; he had just returned home after Wednesday night UH classes, and this is what happened --: "Theft Victim Turns the Tables on Burglary Suspect: A man lies battered and bruised in the hospital Wednesday night after trying to rob a Punchbowl home. Police say 24-year old David Tereo broke into the home on Magellan Street. They say as he was searching each room, including the one where a mother and child slept, when he came face to face with the man of the house . . . Sidney Bautista De Silva. The burglar would pay for the crime even before police arrived. That's because Bautista De Silva is a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Tereo suffered a possible concussion, broken nose and  dislocated shoulder. Police say they believe the suspect was on drugs...and had tried to burglarize another home earlier. When he is released from the hospital, he'll face possible charges of first-degree burglary and third-degree assault." We just thank God Sidney and his family are fine, and for the power of Jiu-Jitsu!!