Kimura BJJ Academy is proud to announce the opening of a new branch in Medford, MA!  Classes are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:15 pm at the Roshankish Martial Arts Center (393 Main St, Medford, MA 02155).  Classes are taught by Carlos Rosales, a brown belt, who is well known at the Kimura BJJ Academy as a highly technical jiujitsu practitioner and fearsome competitor.  Having studied numerous martial arts including Capoeira, Muay Thai, and Kung Fu amongst others, Carlos brings with him an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge.  Anyone interested in classes can contact the Roshankish Martial Arts Center at 781-393-8811 or Carlos directly at 339-224-7190.

Kimura Nova Uniao took home 1st place team honors at the 2009 CBJJE European Championships.  Tho Vu, a Kimura Boston Academy student, took home gold in his purple belt division.  Master Jair Lourenco, Master Jean Kleber’s instructor, took home 1st in the 194 lb black belt division despite his normal weight division being 181 lb!  Congratulations to Master Jair, Tho, and the rest of the extended Kimura team in making such a grand showing!

We are very happy to announce that the 9th Kimura BJJ Academy promotion was a huge success!  With over 100 students in attendance, 8 students receiving their purple belts, and 1 student receiving his brown belt, it truly is a record breaking day for the Kimura Academy.  Master Jean Kleber congratulates each and every student on their very noticeable improvement and dedication to the school and the training.  Special congratulations go to Rodgigo Paulista , Marcos Silva, and Joe Bell who are head instructors at the Kimura branches in Framingham, Marlborough, and South Boston and therefore not only received their promotions but also witnessed and partook in their students promotions.  A very proud day for us all!  Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated and helped at the promotions!

Our belt promotions will be held on September 26 - 1:00 pm at the Kimura BJJ Academy headquarters in Watertown.  All branches (South Boston, Marlborough, and Framingham) are invited to attended.  Promotions are a time to celebrate and recognize all the hard work and progress each student has made in his or her time training.  This particular promotion will be a signifcant milestone for us as 8 students will be awarded their purple belts, bringing the Kimura Academy purple belt total up to 32!  Congratulations to everyone!  We hope to see you all there!

Kimura’s Jimmy Collins and Tho Vu make the headlines!  We are very proud of both Jimmy and Tho for their accomplishments but more importantly their dedication and their character.  They are true representatives of the Kimura spirit and examples for the entire team.  Congratulations once again Jimmy and Tho, we are behind you all the way!

Kimura USA master Jean Kleber trained the jiu-jitsu-MMA standout at the academy’s Brazil branch.

“We are so proud of Formiga,” said Kleber. “We should remember that Kimura is not just the US. Kimura began in Brazil and has spread to Portugal, Switzerland, and now America. We are all a big extended family.”

A reporter for the MMA news website, Sherdog, described the action, “ All three rounds started more or less the same with Kojima pursuing a conservative standup game, snapping off low kicks and grazing high kicks. When da Silva worked up enough courage to press in close for dirty boxing, knees and takedown attempts, he succeeded in stealing the first and third rounds, getting BJ down on the canvas. In the third, da Silva took Kojima’s back and threatened with chokes and punches. The performance earned him a unanimous decision.” 

In Portuguese, “formiga” means “insect” or “ant.” The fighter earned his nickname for his small size, as Shooto bantamweights weigh in at 123 pounds. That’s an ant with a big bite!

Kipp Kollar on Gladiator Magazine cover

Kimura sends a special thanks to NAGA president Kipp Kollar, who recently graced the cover of Gladiator Magazine. Congrats Kipp! You still look ready to fight and you have been a pioneer in grappling, jiu-jitsu, and MMA. Kipp sent Kimura a signed copy of the magazine, noting that the academy was the best jiu-jitsu school in Massachusetts. We thank you and NAGA for everything you have done for the martial arts over the years.

Got takedowns? Master Jean will be teaching a new takedown class on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30pm. Classes will focus exclusively on jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling takedowns. This is a great opportunity to add a new dimension to your game!   

Just a few Kimura competitors took part in the NAGA East Coast Championships in Rhode Island June 27, but they still have two medals to show for it. Digao took third place in a highly competitive adult purple belt division. Marcello took second place in an adult blue belt division. Thang also won two fights as a white belt, only losing in the semi-finals. Eric fought for his first time and fought well. Parabéns!

Kimura BJJ Academy will be closed Friday July 3rd through Sunday July 5th in observation of Independence Day.  We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!