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!

Master Jair (center-left) receives his gold medal

Master Jair Lourenco has won his fourth jiu-jitsu national championship. Master Jair, who is the founder of the original Kimura Academy, recently competed in the black belt 181-pound division of the national championships held in São Paolo, Brazil. Four straight impressive victories earned Master Jair his fourth national title. The prestigious tournament was sponsored by the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Esportiva. Congratulations, Jair. Parabéns!

Kimura competitors scored several wins at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships held in Long Beach, California June 4-7. While the eight Kimura competitors fell just short of winning medals, they recorded several wins and fought competitively at the prestigious tournament, which was held by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Stanley Chen won three fights and narrowly lost his fourth fight by advantages. A victory would have guaranteed him a finish in the top three places for a medal. Jeff Hsu recorded two victories before being defeated in the third round and Diego and Bruno earned first-round wins as well.

Competitors from the Kimura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy won a total of 22 medals at the New York International Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Hosted by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the tournament was held in New York City on April 18. The academy captured the most medals out of all teams from New England that competed at the championships. “Everyone exceeded my expectations and competed with heart,” said Master Jean Kleber. Jean added that Lucas Lowry put on an outstanding performance, winning a silver medal in the middleweight blue belt adult division and a bronze in the open class. He also noted Dave Keefe, who won a gold in the senior middleweight blue belt division and a silver in the open class. Vitor Luis took home a gold in the master heavyweight blue belt division and Marcos Silva also won a gold in the master heavyweight purple belt division. Jean said all competitors are to be congratulated.

Congratulations to all four Kimura competitors who fought in the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships held March 27-29 in Carson , California . Joey Bell put on an excellent performance, winning three fights and only losing in the finals for a second place finish in the master’s featherweight purple belt division. Bruno Braz also had a third place finish in the adult light featherweight purple belt division. Tho Vu and Lucas Lowry also competed and fought well. The International Jiu-Jitsu Federation hosted the prestigious tournament and more than 1,700 jiu-jitsu competitors attended the event.

Tho Vu put forth another stalwart showing at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship Cup held in Lisbon , Portugal last month. Never taking the easy route, Tho fought in three divisions! Tho, who fights at super featherweight, made an outstanding showing in the Open Weight Division, defeating a middleweight  and two medium heavyweights with three different submissions — triangle, choke, and armbar! Way to go, Tho. He eventually lost to a super heavyweight from Abu Dhabi , giving up 80 pounds.

In the master’s super featherweight division, Tho ended up taking third place, with one memorable victory by triangle submission over a Brazilian competitor from Portugal .

“I’m so proud to be a part of the Kimura team,” said Tho. “Kimura Switzerland and Kimura Brazil were by my side the entire time. They had been with me in Japan , too. It feels like Master Jean is by my side in spirit.”

Tho is now looking to compete in the Pan-American Championships and three tournaments in Brazil this summer, including the Rio Open International as part of the French Nation team at under 76kg. Sponsors looking to support this champion should contact him at 1-781-558-0057 or bjj.tho@gmail.com.

Tho Vu won five of seven fights at the Asia Jiu-Jitsu Championship recently held in Tokyo, Japan. In the master’s blue belt division, Vu submitted three straight opponents and lost his fourth fight 2-0. In the open division, Vu defeated a 181-pound opponent 2-0 and then lost a close decision by one advantage in his second fight.

It was an outstanding performance for a very competitive tournament. The Kimura Switzerland team also competed with seven competitors taking home 12 medals. Vu wanted to thank all of his friends and instructors in Boston who helped prepare for the tournament and his sponsor, WIKIGAZETTE. 

Kimura BJJ competitors put forth another strong showing at the 2008 NAGA North American Championships held in Newark, New Jersey November 8. Competitors took home a total of ten medals, including six first-place finishes.

Purple Belts: Diego took 2^nd place (Adult)

Blue Belts: Tho Vu won two championships (Master and Adult divisions), Bruno took 1^st (Master), Stanley Chen and Lucas Lowry took 3^rd (Adult), Rob had 1^st and 2^nd finishes (Adult & Master), and Xandao 2^nd Place (Adult)

White Belts: Marcelo took 1^st place (Adult) and Jeff Hsu took 1^st place (Adult)

Jeff Hsu said he received one of his most challenging matches date. After winning four fights all by submission, Jeff faced a tough judo competitor in the finals. The fight went the distance with Jeff winning by an advantage.

Check out the NAGA website (http://www.nagafighter.com) for team results, which will be posted soon.

Kimura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu held its Third Kimura BJJ Tournament on October 18, 2008 at the school’s Watertown gym. The event drew over 55 competitors from both its Watertown and South Boston schools for a full day of top notch jiu-jitsu competition.

“This was the most successful school tournament so far,” said Kimura BJJ master, Jean Kleber. “The competitors just keep getting better, and I would like to congratulate everyone who participated.”

Among the many divisions, the tournament had two Absolute Divisions for white belts and blue/purple belts. Jeff Hsu, a 2008 World Jiu Jitsu champion, cleaned up the white belt division, finishing in first place and taking home a prize of a new Atama gi and registration fees for an upcoming NAGA tournament. Jean finished in second place and James finished in third.

For the blue and purple belts, Diego took first in the Absolute Division, with Stanley coming in second and Bruno taking third. Diego also won an Atama gi and NAGA registration fees as a prize.

“Bruno was a revelation,” said Kleber. “He showed the true spirit of jiu-jitsu. He is only maybe 145 pounds, but he was beating people many pounds heavier than him, and was always competitive.”

Kimura’s Marcelo and Bruno took first and third respectively in their white and blue belt gi divisions at Naga’s Battle at the Beach in New Jersey on August 2-3. Both Marcelo and Bruno competed in both the no-gi divisions as well. Despite never having any formal training in no-gi, Marcelo won an impressive 3 fights in that division! Congratulations once again to Marcelo and Bruno and a much deserved round of applause for making the long drive down Wildwood, NJ to represent Kimura BJJ! Fantastic job guys!

(more…)