GMA member Bruce Shepherd, leader of The Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in Evansville, Indiana, decided to celebrate his wedding in Rio de Janeiro and besides the traditional sightseeing, did some competing as well.
The 3rd degree black belt got married to brown belt Amanda Wilson last July in a small ceremony to friends and family.
Amanda (right) on the Podium
When the couple thought about the honeymoon, Rio came to mind and the opportunity to compete at the Rio International Open made the trip more worth than ever.
Bruce (left) competing
Here is what Amanda has to say about the experience:
“This year’s Rio International / Masters & Seniors Tournament was more than just a competition for my husband and I, it was also our honeymoon.
My husband, Bruce Shepherd, is a 3 stripe black belt under Marcelo Ferreira and I am a 3 stripe brown belt under Marcelo. Bruce has trained 15+ years and has enjoyed many successes in both competitions and his Academy.
This is the second year that we have competed in the Rio Tournament and we both enjoy the high level of competition and sportsmanship displayed. We spent the week leading up to the tournament training at Marcelo’s Academy in Rio with our friends and second family.
We are both lucky to count among friends many high level Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to train with while in Brazil.
In between training we made time to do some sightseeing – Corcavado and Sugarloaf. The monkeys were adorable!
Monkeys at "Pão de Açucar" (Sugar Loaf Mountain)
While it may not be considered a traditional honeymoon, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. It was awesome to spend the time with friends while doing a sport that we both enjoy together!”
For more info, go to thejiujitsuacademy.com
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