A coldness loomed over the earth and shook the sporting world when the news had been announced that Los Angeles Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant, 41 has died in a tragic helicopter accident alongside his daughter, Gianna (GiGi) and seven others. RIP to everyone who died in the crash, our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends at this difficult time.
The Mamba Sports Academy
The former NBA star has done so much within his career, and I’m sure he would have had a lot in the pipeline for the future.
One of his future plans is the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California which Kobe launched. The Mamba Sports Academy is a multi-sport training facility for young athletes. The Sports Academy originally opened in 2016 under CEO and founder Chad Faulkner, but the organization is re-branding as part of Bryant’s inclusion.
Bryant said in a press release, “Sports Academy has perfected the art and science of athletic training. From elite players, to young kids getting started. MAMBA Sports Academy is a natural expansion of my commitment to educating & empowering the next generation of kids through sports.”
According to Andrew Cohen for Sport Techie, The 100,000 square foot facility will include a bio-mechanics lab, a cognitive training lab, and an esports training ground. It will also include five basketball courts, five volleyball courts, a turf field, a sports medicine practice, batting cages and pitching mounds, close quarters defense training, a jiu-jitsu school, a sprint track, a learning center for academic tutoring and training, and a yoga or cycling studio.
Kobi’s Dedication to Martial Arts
“I am a wrestler and fighter at heart but athlete by choice.” – Kobe Bryant
Kobe not only had a great respect and dedication to basketball, but to martial arts as well. Having been a fan of Bruce Lee from a young age, Kobe committed to the art of Jeet Kune Do, a martial art developed by Bruce Lee. Jeet Kune Do is a discipline that focuses on maximizing speed while using the least movements possible.
Talking of how Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do inspired the ‘Mamba Mentality’, Bryant said, “He (Bruce) was really big on sharing his knowledge and hoped he could inspire. Not to learn how to fight, but through the art of fighting, learn how to be a better person. That’s what I want to pass on to the future generations.”
Inspired by the basketball champion, Israeli BJJ practitioner Itamar Marani discusses in the video below how Kobe’s basketball drilling systems can be applied to BJJ drilling systems.
Marani reveals how a slight change of mentality will make you work that bit harder – ‘Mamba Mentality’. Below is how some of the the BJJ community reacted to the news that Kobe Bryant had died.
Both Rickson and Igor Gracie have paid their respects to the sporting legend. Rickson shared Lenny Kravitz’ post of Kobe and his daughter GiGi. The post’s caption is “No words. All love.” Igor posted a photo of Kobe captioned, “Legends Never Die!”
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