Don Achnick Childrens Grappling Seminar was Awesome!

Donnie on the mat teaching

Master Donnie works with Spike-a-Doodle

Aarae Alexander fixes up the kids' techniques

Mason training under Ryan Villogram's watchful eye

Gratuitous seminar pic

All seminar proceeds went to sending Aerae, Derek, Cedric, and Ryan to the World Championships next week!

American Cancer Society is May 2009 Charity

Julius was ambushed by children asking for donations to the American Cancer Society so that became May 2009′s charity of choice.  Cancer sucks!!!

Ryan Corsillo and Cathy Tran-Zwanetz Promoted

Another Day, Another White Belt Getting Surfed On

Tuesday marked the end of an era, as Generation Four of the White Belt Competition Team came to an end; Cathy Tran-Zwanetz and Ryan “LadiesMan217″ Corsillo were promoted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belts.

Cathy Tran-Zwanetz is Crazy 88′s first female Blue Belt promotion.  With a indefatigable work ethic and positive attitude, Cathy has a come a long way in a short time.  Her assistance with the kids classes and Crazy 88 social events has been invaluable.  However, it was not just her off-the-mat activities that led to the belt – Cathy has had a total score of 42-2 pts in 3 competitions and garnered 2 Gold Medals as well.  I am proud to have her represent Crazy 88 as our first woman BJJ Blue Belt!

Ryan Corsillo, or as well call him LadiesMan, is one of the smallest guys in the room.  The reason I bring this up is because it is not easy to come into a training room day in and day out, knowing that everyone has a size advantage over you.  Most students get discouraged and end up deciding to spend their nights watching the box sets of their favorite HBO sitcom or playing X-Box Live (if this is you, we still love you – now get back in the gym).  LadiesMan did not quit and over his months of training developed an effective Jiu-Jitsu style that relies on technique, flexibility, and movement.   Great job LadiesMan!

Ryan "LadiesMan" Corsillo

Cathy Tran-Zwanetz

Our First Couple of BJJ - David Zwanetz and Cathy Tran-Zwanetz

Grapplers Quest Las Vegas Results

It was couples weekend in Vegas as Jon “Devastator” Delbrugge and Tye Ryan Murphy flew out to Las Vegas with significant others in tow.  They had to do some work at the Grapplers Quest before they could relax though.  Devastator started the day off, with 10-0 victory in the Quarterfinals.  He was winning 3-0 in the Semi-finals but lost via Kimura in the final minute of the match, placing him the 3/4 match.  He won dominantly there with another 10-0 annihilation.    A Bronze at the GQ West Advanced as a Blue Belt is a strong accomplishment.

Devastator then had 5 more matches in the Gi division, winning by Brabo, 3-0, 5-0, and 3-2 before coming up 2 points short in the finals.  A long day of competition for our teammate.

Copa Nova Results

** = split division w/ teammate; no losses.

Keith “Trainspotting” Cebula battled hard and finally earned Adult division Gold.  After warming up with a points victory in the 16-man bracket, Keith seio-nage’d and choked his next opponent.  A narrow 2 point victory in the semifinals gave Keith a finals berth where he split the division with teammate, Lenny Maggio.  Great job from the old man! 

Ryan “Ladies Man” Corsillo split Gold with teammate Clarence Melton in the Intermediate division.  He has only one match there that he won 6-0.  LadiesMan also dominated the Gi division, armlocking his 1st opponent, winning by a record-breaking 30-0 in the semifinals, and topping it off with an 8-0 Championship.  4-0 for the day!

“Young” Clarence Melton split Gold with teammate Ryan Corsillo in the Intermediate division.  He has only one match there that he won via armbar submission. 

Cathy Tran-Zwanetz took her first career “L” in a controversial match.  Cathy bumped up a weight class because there were no other girls in her weight.  She was down 2-0 (0-3) in her first match and came up on top of the other girl but time ran out before the referee awarded points causing her to enter the consolation which turned into a classic Cathy match – pass –> mount –> ezekielle.   Fantastic job!

“Lawyer” Dave made his No-Gi Advanced division debut.  He triangled his first opponent before facing Luis Pantoja in the finals.  Luis is an experienced Brown Belt from Yamasaki and it showed as the score was 6-2 before he submitted Dave with a triangle with 30 seconds remaining.

Medical Issues in MMA Seminar at Franklin Square Hospital

Dr. Deza Speaks about Medical Issues in MMA

Julius Park and Jon Delbrugge were on hand at Franklin Square Hospital to assist Dr. Veronica Deza with her talk on “Medical Issues in Martial Arts.”  Dr. Deza is the mother of Aiden and Madeline who are both involved in our Childrens Martial Arts Program.  We gave a short demonstration on MMA techniques and submission holds so the doctors would be more familiar with the mechanics of injury prevalent in MMA.

Tye Ryan Murphy Promoted to Blue Belt

Tye Ryan Murphy moves up the ranks just in time for the Grapplers Quest Las Vegas.  Tye has been leading the White Belt team for the past few months, winning the Open division, and it was time for him to move up to bigger challenges.