Crazy 88 Coaches Present at Career Day at St Mark School

Hello everyone, it’s Coach Rodeo again! For the second year in a row Crazy 88 BJJ Kids Martial Arts program instructors made an appearance at St Mark school of Catonsville’s Career Day. Last year, Coach Danny and I went in and gave a 20 minute presentation to three 1st grade classes. If you don’t know him, my son Tyler, is a student there.

This year Coach Jon and I would be the instructors to attend Career Day looking to find some future World champions. Last year, Career Day was such a success that they were completely booked and we were on the waiting list. Well, as luck would have it, a presenter had to pull out and we got the call to come in. This time we would be showing off our moves to the 6th grade classes. Apparently we made an impression last year as many parents and students remembered us. Even the assistant principal Mr. Carl Berger, said he was expecting us as wrestling season was winding down.

Coach Jon and I showed up at 8:15 in the morning and were in the classroom by 8:30. The kids were very excited to see us and very enthusiastic. It wasn’t hard for us to find volunteers for our moves. We started the day off with explaining who we were and what Jiu Jitsu was all about. We talked to them about some of the rules that we have here in the Kids Martial Arts program and what a normal class was like. We then asked for some volunteers to run through some exercises. We had them do jumping jacks, pushups, and fast feet (otherwise known as burpies). We decided to show them some Self defense moves. There wasn’t a problem finding eager students ready to impress their fellow students with their moves! The first thing we showed them was the 1-2 combo; which they picked up very quickly so we added in the round kick. Lucky for me, I drew the short straw and was the kicking dummy and let me tell you; those kids can kick hard!

We ran out of time quickly as we did a short question and answer session with the kids. They had some very good questions and were very happy to have us. I know I speak for Coach Jon when I say, all in all, it was a great experience and can’t wait to go back next year. Hopefully we’ll see some new faces in the Kids program soon!

Brackets for the Houston BJJ Open Posted…

Alfonso Washington wants to redeem himself after a 0-0 Judges Decision at the European BJJ Championships. Al also has a Muay Thai smoker bout next weekend so he is keeping himself busy in all areas of fighting!

Big Al's Division - White Belt Ultra

Tye Ryan Murphy and Kevin Dalton are both looking to get solid IBJJF tournament experience. Tye had a strong showing at the European BJJ Championships where he won 3 before losing on points to the eventual champion and will build upon that to get onto the medal stand in Houston.  In Tye’s way is US Nationals medalist Trevor Cowan, who should be the biggest challenge on that page.  On the other side of the bracket is Team Third Law’s Kevin Dalton, who is one of Roberto’s most active competitors and also a political activist.

Tye Ryan Murphy's Division - Blue Middle page 1/2

Tye Ryan Murphy Division - Blue Middle page 2/2

Evan “Oz” Gideon should have some good matches and is one of the favorites to win the division. Evan is looking forward to a rematch with Shiloh Roberts (Lovato BJJ) who defeated him by two points in the semi-finals of the US Nationals last year.  This is “Oz” first IBJJF tournament of the year and he is excited.  In 2009, with less than one year of training, he was able to make the Elite Eight of the PanAms and take double Bronze’s at the US Nationals – a solid foundation for the 2010 competition season.

Evan Gideon's Division - Blue Middle Heavy

Roberto Torralbas' Division - Purple Middle