Fard Muhammad Picks December Cause

Our kids have been learning a lot from researching and choosing their own charities and in the spirit of the season, Fard Muhammad has chosen Action Aid International to receive Crazy 88′s monthly donation.  Action Aid’s mission is to “work with poor and excluded people to eradicate poverty and injustice.”

Kids Team Enjoys Holiday Party at Earth Treks

On Sunday, the Kids Team and families had their own party at Earth Treks. The children got to strengthen their grips as they learned to rock climb! A sincere THANK YOU to the Donnellys who sponsored this great outing for the kids!

Kids classes will start back in Monday, January 5. Happy Holidays from all of us here at Crazy 88!

Luckily There was No Trouble at the Party!

2008 Year End Awards @ Holiday Banquest

Most Improved Grappler – Zach “SWAT” Perret

“SWAT” was a mid-year transfer and has made rapid gains through his consistent attendance and work ethic.  He has impeccable cardiovascular conditioning and is quickly bringing up his technical skills to match his physical ones.

Rookie of the Year – Jon “Devastator” Delbrugge

“Devastator” joined Crazy 88 during the summer and has collected medal after medal.  He began with a Beginner No-Gi Gold and has brought himself all the way up to the Advanced division level in 6 short months.  Having local Blue Belt Open and Blue Belt weight class Golds (100% submission rate at Blue Belt) already, he has his eyes set on the International scene in 2009.

Competitor of the Year - Michael Atkin

Mike Atkin, the Grandfather of Crazy 88, is the perennial favorite for this award and he finally got it.  With medals at the Pan-Americans of Gi and No-Gi and countless local victories, Mike is one of the most consistent producers out there.  For Mike Atkin, it is as much of a Lifetime Achievement award as it is an annual commendation.

Mike Atkin, Jon Delbrugge, and Zach Perret Celebrate Their Awards

Paul Schreiner Pt 2

Paul “El Technico” Schreiner came back to the Baltimore area for another seminar.  This time he covered Butterfly Guard passing and a submssion attack from each control position post-pass.  Once again, it was super-technical and definitely gave everyone more stuff to work on.

Michael Florey Returns to Old Form

Crazy 88 closed out the year with a trip to the Lone Star State for the NAGA Texas. It was a 4-man squad featuring 2 new blue belts and 2 veterans.

The first time in the Advanced No-Gi, Jon “Devastator” Delbrugge fought Mundial medalist, Albert Hughes, and was cradle swept in the last 15 seconds of the match losing 2-0.

In Blue belt Gi, Devastator took down, passed, and submitted each of his three opponents to take Gold.

Michael Florey also fought in Absolute No-Gi: BG starts his first match off by pulling into a butterfly guard and heel hooking his opponent to win the fight. In the following round, he lost two points by jumping guard late, and was quickly rolled into a Kimura by his opponent, leading to a quick tap.

His next match was in the Advanced weight division: BG spent some time trying to pass guard before he tapped his opponent out with a Kimura. In the finals, BG finished his opponent with a triangle, taking Gold.

In the Blue Belt Gi Division, BG submitted his first opponent with an armlock from the guard. In the finals, BG won by an advantage for an armlock attempt.

Evan “Oz” Gideon submitted two Blue Belts with armbars and lost a 10-7 slobberknocker to take 3rd in Gi division.

CJ “Never Back Down” Melton didn’t place in No Gi intermediate; he lost in the first round by points. In the Blue Belt division NBD was able to take Bronze after losing in the sem-finals by points.