Legends of Rio in the Heart of the Big Apple

14 Oct, 2013

Shaolin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Last weekend, October 11 to 13th, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Camp united three famous schools in NYC. The camp created by New Jersey attorney James J. Sexton took fifteen students of all levels that came from different parts of US to sharpen their BJJ skill with Rio de Janeiro’s legends Renzo Gracie, Marcelo Garcia and Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro. The camp founder said he created the camp to help students from all over the USA and abroad recognize the amazing BJJ training opportunities to be found in Manhattan. “We’ve got three incredible academies within less than one mile of each other,” said Sexton.

The Day One of the Camp kicked off with a two-hour seminar at Shaolin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro who worked on a variety of half guard escapes and sweeps. After the seminar campers remained for regular Friday afternoon classes at the Shaolin Academy and enjoyed training with his students. In the evening they attended training at the Marcelo Garcia Academy. The Fundamentals Gi class provided the BJJ students, of all levels, with a great training experience, learning close guard opening techniques. The Blue Belts and above remained for the Advanced Gi class. The camp, which attracted all levels of students from white to black belt, started off Day Two on Saturday with a “white belts only” class at Shaolin academy. This was followed by an advanced class and rolling with Shaolin’s students. On Saturday afternoon, the Camp offered a three-hour seminar with Gerry “Kid Peligro” Costa reviewing closed guard sweeps. Sunday morning, the Camp concluded with the completion of the “trifecta” of NYC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies. The Campers attended a private class at Renzo Gracie Academy taught by Igor Gracie and UFC fighter Rafael “Sapo” Natal.

NYC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu camp founder believes the camp encourages students to visit all of the academies of New York City without hesitation. “They all greeted our group with open arms and made us feel incredibly welcome. It’s a testament to how unifying and positive the brotherhood and sisterhood of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu really is.” Completed Sexton.