Just got to Japan after a long flight. I will be spending a little over a week at the Ajinomoto National Training Center with the National Team preparing for the 2011 World Championships and University Wrestlers preparing for Japan University Nationals. As for myself, I will be entering a No-Gi Grappling Tournament on Sunday August, 21 in Japan.
I didn't land in Narita until about 4pm so, after arriving to the NTC we got some food, and headed to the community bath. The community bath is an interesting experience, and I want to say it is something unique to Japan. It's like going to a heated indoor pool with everyone completely naked. Obviously the baths are split by gender, but you can't help but feel a little out of your element being naked in front of people you never met.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
New Kids System from IBJJF
Here is a brief explanation of the New Kids System designed by the IBJJF.
As Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to evolve, new and up-to-date rules should also follow. The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) considered and made the decision to implement some changes to its rules, rules and systems. A few of these rules have been in existence for a very long time. Most people don’t like change, these changes however are essential for that controlled development of the activity and also the respect it warrants within the grappling sport arena.
The BJJ belt system for kids’ belt promotion might find some positive changes. No more will a young child need to wait years to be able to experience positive reward reinforcement with the tiresome belt ranking system. Unlike grown-ups, children need to see that their persistence, effort, and hard work are being compensated. This positive conditioning can lead to children attempting to train longer and get better in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools have used various belt ranking systems for children. This inconsistency is visible at competitions from traditional stripes to the horizontal belt color combinations. This inconsistency is one thing the IBJJF will change to be able to display a more organized Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt ranking for children.
On January 1, 2012, the brand new IBJJF belt system for kids goes into effect. Kids who start training at 4 years old are only marketed once they turn seven years of age.
To avoid demotivating other kids and also avoid technical differences between beginners and more knowledgeable kids, IBJJF’s new belt system stated a division be included to each already established BJJ belt color.
Belt color for kids will be split into three sub-colors
The gray belt will be extended to children from 4 to fifteen years old.
Using the new belt colors, instructors will have the ability to promote their students each year. For instance, the IBJJF suggests a youngster who begins training at four remain at white belt for six months before being upgraded to gray-white belt.
Example:
If the kid starts at the age of 4, IBJJF suggests 6 months as a white belt, then being graduated to the grey/white belt on the sixth month of training. As for the white/gray belt, it would take six more months until the next graduation – solid grey. After training one year in the solid grey rank, the practitioner would be graduated to gray/black, after a year of training and the by the age of 7 years old the kid is eligible for the next graduation group which is yellow.
After graduating to white/yellow, and 3 years as a yellow belt group, by the age of 10 years old the kid is eligible to enter the Orange belt group, after 3 years in the orange group, by the age of 13 years old the kid is eligible to enter the green belt graduation group. The cycle repeats itself until the students years of training under the kid belt system is done and they are ready to transition to the adult belt ranking system.
New Belt System For BJJ Children’s Competition
As for competitions, each color belt group will be joined in the same group, the whole grey group competes together, the whole yellow group competes together, and same for other belt groups.
The same rules apply and no changes will be made as for weight, age and gender, similar to the way used today.
For athletes 4 – 15 years old in competition, if there is not enough to find a match, merging two or more different color groups in a bracket will be the action taken.
Examples for belt divisions in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition:
Grey Group – White/Grey, Solid Grey and grey/Black are grouped together.
Yellow group – White/yellow, solid yellow and yellow/black compete together divided only by age, weight and gender.
The BJJ belt system for kids’ belt promotion might find some positive changes. No more will a young child need to wait years to be able to experience positive reward reinforcement with the tiresome belt ranking system. Unlike grown-ups, children need to see that their persistence, effort, and hard work are being compensated. This positive conditioning can lead to children attempting to train longer and get better in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools have used various belt ranking systems for children. This inconsistency is visible at competitions from traditional stripes to the horizontal belt color combinations. This inconsistency is one thing the IBJJF will change to be able to display a more organized Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt ranking for children.
On January 1, 2012, the brand new IBJJF belt system for kids goes into effect. Kids who start training at 4 years old are only marketed once they turn seven years of age.
To avoid demotivating other kids and also avoid technical differences between beginners and more knowledgeable kids, IBJJF’s new belt system stated a division be included to each already established BJJ belt color.
Belt color for kids will be split into three sub-colors
The gray belt will be extended to children from 4 to fifteen years old.
Using the new belt colors, instructors will have the ability to promote their students each year. For instance, the IBJJF suggests a youngster who begins training at four remain at white belt for six months before being upgraded to gray-white belt.
Example:
If the kid starts at the age of 4, IBJJF suggests 6 months as a white belt, then being graduated to the grey/white belt on the sixth month of training. As for the white/gray belt, it would take six more months until the next graduation – solid grey. After training one year in the solid grey rank, the practitioner would be graduated to gray/black, after a year of training and the by the age of 7 years old the kid is eligible for the next graduation group which is yellow.
After graduating to white/yellow, and 3 years as a yellow belt group, by the age of 10 years old the kid is eligible to enter the Orange belt group, after 3 years in the orange group, by the age of 13 years old the kid is eligible to enter the green belt graduation group. The cycle repeats itself until the students years of training under the kid belt system is done and they are ready to transition to the adult belt ranking system.
New Belt System For BJJ Children’s Competition
As for competitions, each color belt group will be joined in the same group, the whole grey group competes together, the whole yellow group competes together, and same for other belt groups.
The same rules apply and no changes will be made as for weight, age and gender, similar to the way used today.
For athletes 4 – 15 years old in competition, if there is not enough to find a match, merging two or more different color groups in a bracket will be the action taken.
Examples for belt divisions in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition:
Grey Group – White/Grey, Solid Grey and grey/Black are grouped together.
Yellow group – White/yellow, solid yellow and yellow/black compete together divided only by age, weight and gender.
Eliot Kelly
"The more motivated you are the stronger you will become."
Monday, August 8, 2011
90% ATTITUDE
- ATTITUDE -
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home ... or a school. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we do have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDES.
~ Chuck Swindoll & Nancy Harms
Last week we looked at what Vince Lombardi had to say about your inner dialogue and how your attitude changes how you think about yourself. Notice what is being said about attitude here. Attitude is one of the most important things to us because there is always a chain reaction that takes place as a result of your attitude. The cool thing is that you are in charge of your attitude! Similar principles apply to Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu is not so much about what happens but much more about how you react to things. You can get frustrated and quit or you can keep trying. The decision is yours, what kind of attitude will you have today?
Friday, August 5, 2011
YOU CAN ATTITUDE
The word of the month for August is Attitude! Many times our attitude is a result of our what we are thinking. It is important that we check up on how we are thinking about things so that we have an attitude of a champion.
Here is what Vince Lombardi has to say...
- YOU CAN -
If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't
If you like to win but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't
If you think you are outclassed, you are
You've got to think high to rise
You've got to be sure of yourself
Before you can win a prize
If you think you'll lose, you are lost
For out in the world we find
That success begins
With a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind
Life's battle's don't always go to the
Stronger or faster man
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who THINKS he can.
- Vince Lombardi
It is important to remember that many times our attitude is a result of the people we surround ourselves with. If you notice that the people around you don't have an attitude of a champion, share this with them and help them see that their thoughts need to change.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 4-F
ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
Q: What do we need to do in order to Win?
Whether you are doctor, lawyer, businessman, fighter, or whatever your job may be, everyone needs to get all of the same elements together in order to accomplish their goals and become successful.
A few examples would be work ethic, bravery, some talent, and a strategy.
Reading my book would help you understand things in detail, but if you use the elements I talk about, you'll be able to maintain a strong mind and as a result see good results.
The important thing is to know that you have the ability to transform yourself.
In conclusion, I would like to say one more thing.
Above all, I want everyone to know this. In reality, what I accomplished can be done by anyone. That's right, the power we actualize is something that we already had within us.
Therefore, I don't want people to be observing me personally, but rather to realize how I was able to push through to the point where I am today.
I pray that the book Rickson Gracie Undefeated Principles is of strength for those on their way to paving their own path. <END>
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=6
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
Q: What do we need to do in order to Win?
Whether you are doctor, lawyer, businessman, fighter, or whatever your job may be, everyone needs to get all of the same elements together in order to accomplish their goals and become successful.
A few examples would be work ethic, bravery, some talent, and a strategy.
Reading my book would help you understand things in detail, but if you use the elements I talk about, you'll be able to maintain a strong mind and as a result see good results.
The important thing is to know that you have the ability to transform yourself.
In conclusion, I would like to say one more thing.
Above all, I want everyone to know this. In reality, what I accomplished can be done by anyone. That's right, the power we actualize is something that we already had within us.
Therefore, I don't want people to be observing me personally, but rather to realize how I was able to push through to the point where I am today.
I pray that the book Rickson Gracie Undefeated Principles is of strength for those on their way to paving their own path. <END>
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=6
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 4-E
ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie.
Q: What's the reason you decided to publish the book Rickson Gracie Undefeated Principles?
After my retirement I started thinking about new goals for myself, and what came to surface was that I wanted to teach and spread to as many people as possible about correct Jiu-Jitsu, ideal Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu that stems from Self-Defense.
In addition, for those who have no connection to Martial Arts, I wished to express the philosophical learnings that took place as a result of practicing Jiu-Jitsu. I wanted to leave behind the important lessons I had learned from my life up to this moment.
I don't intend on reminiscing over memories of the past.
That's why I chose not to talk about my private life in the book. Of course there are parts I where I explain my personal circumstances to help communicate what it is I am trying to say.
However, my intentions from this book are not to talk about what I have left behind or my walk in life.
But that many people have kept their potential dormant the whole time.
Q: So, it's not an "Autobiography" of Rickson Gracie?
That's right. It's not a book about "me" personally, but a narrative on my thought process and how I would behave under different circumstances.
Obviously, there are plenty of people who have been and still are interested in my private life. I think the book help satisfy their curiosity about me.
Q: What would you like to say to your Japanese readers?
In one one word "Bushido." The desire to take on a task with 100% zeal.
To me, "Bushido" is working to achieve some objective with 100% of your strength while stressing the importance of respect.
The "Modern Samurai" living in our present day society, is for fighting to grab ahold of your own happiness.
Whether you are doing a job or working towards a goal, you don't do it because you were told to do it. Reconsider, one more time, if what you are doing will truly come back to bringing you happiness.
Regardless of age, gender, or profession, people are struggling against their fears, sorrows, and many other problems on a daily basis. And I want people to win those battles.
Up Next Part 4-F: "The power to be implemented is something everyone already has"
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=5
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie.
Q: What's the reason you decided to publish the book Rickson Gracie Undefeated Principles?
After my retirement I started thinking about new goals for myself, and what came to surface was that I wanted to teach and spread to as many people as possible about correct Jiu-Jitsu, ideal Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu that stems from Self-Defense.
In addition, for those who have no connection to Martial Arts, I wished to express the philosophical learnings that took place as a result of practicing Jiu-Jitsu. I wanted to leave behind the important lessons I had learned from my life up to this moment.
I don't intend on reminiscing over memories of the past.
That's why I chose not to talk about my private life in the book. Of course there are parts I where I explain my personal circumstances to help communicate what it is I am trying to say.
However, my intentions from this book are not to talk about what I have left behind or my walk in life.
But that many people have kept their potential dormant the whole time.
Q: So, it's not an "Autobiography" of Rickson Gracie?
That's right. It's not a book about "me" personally, but a narrative on my thought process and how I would behave under different circumstances.
Obviously, there are plenty of people who have been and still are interested in my private life. I think the book help satisfy their curiosity about me.
Q: What would you like to say to your Japanese readers?
In one one word "Bushido." The desire to take on a task with 100% zeal.
To me, "Bushido" is working to achieve some objective with 100% of your strength while stressing the importance of respect.
The "Modern Samurai" living in our present day society, is for fighting to grab ahold of your own happiness.
Whether you are doing a job or working towards a goal, you don't do it because you were told to do it. Reconsider, one more time, if what you are doing will truly come back to bringing you happiness.
Regardless of age, gender, or profession, people are struggling against their fears, sorrows, and many other problems on a daily basis. And I want people to win those battles.
Up Next Part 4-F: "The power to be implemented is something everyone already has"
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=5
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 4-D
ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Become a Modern Samurai who fights for their own happiness."
Q: What about the possibility of producing a new mixed martial arts event?
Mixed Martial Arts is an extremely neutral stage where people who have learned different disciplines of martial arts come together to fight. I feel that it's very important to establish a place for that, and I wouldn't mind if that became one of my goals.
However, if the philosophy behind martial arts isn't included in a place like that it has no meaning.
Under the current conditions, I don't believe there are too many parents who would be pushing their children to train to enter mixed martial arts events.
When my family began to promote Vale Tudo in the United States for the world to see, it was a tournament to test and measure the most efficient style of martial arts.
Nowadays its not so much about the best martial art, but a competition to see who is the strongest person. And on the surface of all this we tend to see a clashing of strength rather than a technical battle between the opponents.
If I was able to present and spread the Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts I believe across the world, undertaking a project like that doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Q: Are there any current martial artists you have your eyes on?
I'm not going to bring up any specific names, but there are plenty of technical and talented fighters in Japan.
Unfortunately, the current state of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with shorter rounds and time limits and clearly defined weight classes, the physical fighters are the ones making an impact.
Therefore there's no guarantee that the more technical fighter will end up on top.
This is what I mean by technique. Waiting for a chance to attack when your opponent makes a mistake without wasting any strength. When there is a time limit, that becomes impossible.
Therefore as long as the rules stay the same it will be rare to see a sequence of delicate and technical moves. For Japanese fighters I think that would be to their disadvantage.
Q: Speaking of Japanese fighters, it seems to this day there are many fans who would like to see you and Kazushi Sakuraba in the ring.
I have no inclination to fight anyone right now.
If I were to look back at the times before I was retired..... As long as the circumstances were right, it would have been right to settle the score with Sakuraba, a guy who had beaten many Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighters.
Up Next Part 4-E: "Regardless of age, sex, or occupation, everyone is fighting a daily battle of many problems, grief, or fears. I want them to win those battles."
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=4
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Become a Modern Samurai who fights for their own happiness."
Q: What about the possibility of producing a new mixed martial arts event?
Mixed Martial Arts is an extremely neutral stage where people who have learned different disciplines of martial arts come together to fight. I feel that it's very important to establish a place for that, and I wouldn't mind if that became one of my goals.
However, if the philosophy behind martial arts isn't included in a place like that it has no meaning.
Under the current conditions, I don't believe there are too many parents who would be pushing their children to train to enter mixed martial arts events.
When my family began to promote Vale Tudo in the United States for the world to see, it was a tournament to test and measure the most efficient style of martial arts.
Nowadays its not so much about the best martial art, but a competition to see who is the strongest person. And on the surface of all this we tend to see a clashing of strength rather than a technical battle between the opponents.
If I was able to present and spread the Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts I believe across the world, undertaking a project like that doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Q: Are there any current martial artists you have your eyes on?
I'm not going to bring up any specific names, but there are plenty of technical and talented fighters in Japan.
Unfortunately, the current state of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with shorter rounds and time limits and clearly defined weight classes, the physical fighters are the ones making an impact.
Therefore there's no guarantee that the more technical fighter will end up on top.
This is what I mean by technique. Waiting for a chance to attack when your opponent makes a mistake without wasting any strength. When there is a time limit, that becomes impossible.
Therefore as long as the rules stay the same it will be rare to see a sequence of delicate and technical moves. For Japanese fighters I think that would be to their disadvantage.
Q: Speaking of Japanese fighters, it seems to this day there are many fans who would like to see you and Kazushi Sakuraba in the ring.
I have no inclination to fight anyone right now.
If I were to look back at the times before I was retired..... As long as the circumstances were right, it would have been right to settle the score with Sakuraba, a guy who had beaten many Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighters.
Up Next Part 4-E: "Regardless of age, sex, or occupation, everyone is fighting a daily battle of many problems, grief, or fears. I want them to win those battles."
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=4
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
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