Royce “Shoyoroll” Kerbow Promoted to Blue Belt

It was back-to-back promotion days at Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as Royce “Shoyoroll” Kerbow received his Blue Belt.  Royce (pronounced as in Rolls Royce and not the first Ultimate Fighting Champion) has been training regularly since he started over a year ago.  Because of his job, he trains when he can – sometimes at 7 AM, sometimes at 11:30 AM, sometimes at the 7 PM and other times at 10:30 PM but he stays consistent and has been steadily improving his skills.

It was a long and tough test with over 25 students in the White Belt class, each wrestling Royce for a minute but he made it through.  Near the end of the test, Royce hurt his knee but he insisted on continuing the test and when it was all over, the Crazy 88 students all clapped and congratulated the newest member of the Blue Belt squad.

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Mikhail Onischenko Promoted to Blue Belt

Congratulations to Mikhail Onischenko, our newest BJJ Blue Belt here at Crazy 88. Mikhail is one of the first group of students that started training when we were located in the half-basketball court at the Body Factory, trying not to crash through the glass windows. Back then, only four pairs of students could roll on the ground at a time and only two pairs could practice takedowns. And we only had classes three times per week!

Mikhail is one of our most dedicated students – he never misses a 7 AM class and usually drives to Reston, VA right after training for his job.   Good work Mikhail!

PS – Just got off the phone with Mike Easton. Everything looks good for a Mixed Martial Arts Seminar on Saturday, January 23. Mike is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and one of the USA’s top 145 lb MMA fighters.  He is a very well-rounded fighter with heavy striking abilities and he has also won Pan-American and World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu medals.  Do not miss this seminar!

Jeff Mueller Takes Elevator to Next Belt

Jeff “Flow Rida” Mueller moved up in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ranks to Blue Belt. Jeff comes from a traditional martial arts background and began training at Crazy 88 in May 2008. He has grown to become a valuable member of the team and demonstrated his dedication to his MMA training by continuing to train when his job sent him to Florida.  Jeff would train the evenings when he could in Tampa, and after flying back to Baltimore on Friday evening, he would come into our Baltimore school for the Saturday class.  Congratulations to Jeff!

IBJJF American Nationals – Day One Results

Evan “Oz” Gideon becomes the first Team Lloyd Irvin medalist at the American Nationals. Evan had a tough first bout vs. Carsell Swain (BTT) but secured a late sweep for a 2-0 victory. His second match was another 2-0 squeeker – this time vs. Guilherme Lima (Drysdale BJJ). In the quarterfinals, Evan was able to secure a pass after a sweep to win 5-0. Unfortunately, our teammate was on the losing side of a 2-0 match in the semifinals vs. a tough grappler from Rafael Lovato’s school.

“Oz” was looking forward to a rematch in the Open division; it was not to be however, as the Lovato BJJ team member would lose in a pigtail match to a lighter competitor.  The lighter competitor then faced Evan and was ahead on points before attempting an illegal leglock and getting disqualified.  In a bizarre turn of events, Evan would be ahead on points in the semi-finals before getting disqualified himself (supposedly an illegal leglock).  A crazy open division but a great performance from teammate who will be bringing back two BJJ medals back to Baltimore.

Roberto Torralbas and Jon “Devastator” Delbrugge will be first up tomorrow!

Womens Jiu Jitsu Team Grows – Ann Pratten Promoted

Bruce Hoyer, Jon Delbrugge, Keith Cebula, and Brian Neal with New Blue Belt, Ann Pratten

Hard work pays off as Ann Pratten becomes our 2nd female Blue Belt ever.  Ann is proof that you can balance family, work, and training.  She has won the White Belt division as well as the Beginner No-Gi almost a year ago.  With a positive attitude and strong work ethic, Ann Pratten will continue to improve and develop into a well-rounded mixed martial artist.

Submission Only 4 Results

** = split division with teammate; no losses.

Zach “SWAT” Perret and “Big” Al Washington drove their crazy butts to Richmond, Virginia from New Jersey after their Muay Thai fights on Saturday to compete in the Submission-Only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event run by US Grappling.   Because of their participation at Brad Daddis’ MMA and Muay Thai smoker event, they were unable to compete in the No Gi but they had a great showing in the Gi and didn’t seem too much the worse for the wear for having been involved in fisticuffs less than 24 hours earlier.

It’s not easy to do a No-Time-Limit grappling tournament PERIOD, much less after a Muay Thai fight, so make sure you give these guys a hand and some ibuprofen when you see them.

Arizona BJJ State Championships 2009 Results

Last time in Arizona, Jon “Devastator” Delbrugge won Gold in the Medio weight class so this time around, he moved up a division to Meio Pesado. 

He won over Luiz Lopez (Rey Diego) 3-0 in his first match of the day.  His 2nd match was against Timothy Wagoner of Siege MMA.  Devastator pulled off the perfect match with sweep (waiter) –> pass –> breadcutter to enter the Final Four.  In the semifinals, Devastator pulled guard again, swept immediately and passed to enter the Championship round.  Jonathan Hill from the MMA Lab was the finals opponent and Devastator was dominant from start to finish, racking up 20+ points before submitting him with a Kimura. 

Look for Jon to be competing at Pesado in his next AZ Tournament.

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

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.

DERELICTE upgraded to Blue Belt Status

Derek “Derelicte” Petty is promoted to Blue Belt. A very nice guy and one of our most consistent students. He has been building up his game bit by bit and it was time to move up. Congratulations!