Kimura wins NAGA North American team title
The Kimura Academy put on a dominating performance at the NAGA North American Championships, winning the team gi title and taking home more than 20 individual medals. Some 1500 grappling and jiu-jitsu competitors took part in the tournament November 15-16 in Newark, New Jersey.
“Our team put on a strong performance, and we have many new promising students competing with each tournament,” said Kimura head instructor, Jean Kleber.
Kimura scored a whopping 1080 points in the gi division with the second place, Gold Team Fighters, following with 570. The school became the first from New England to win the North American championship.
Among the many Kimura medal winners, Marcos Silva finished in first place in the highly competitive purple super heavyweight division. Andrea Muccini also won gold in the women’s blue belt lightweight division.
First class Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors can be found at Kimura locations in Watertown, South Boston, Framingham, Marlborough, and Medford.
No Practice Thursday & Friday
As a reminder, we will not have practice on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. Practice will resume on Saturday.
Kimura Brazil wins 19 medals at Mundials
Kimura in Brazil!
What a week for Kimura around the world! On Sunday, July 19, Kimura Brazil won 19 medals in the prestigious Mundials tournament held in São Paolo, Brazil. The tournament was hosted by the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Esportiva. Bringing just 25 students, Kimura won medals at all belt levels, including 9 golds, 4 silvers, and 6 bronze medals. Master Jair Lourenco also won the world championship at the black belt level. Congratulations to our master and to all.
Jimmy scores TKO in MMA debut
Courtesy of MMA Photography.com
Kimura fighter Jimmy Collins recorded a dominating victory in his amatuer MMA debut.
Jimmy fought the first fight of the night at a Reality Fighting event in Plymouth, Massachusetts on July 18. The lightweight put on a thrilling performance and made short work of celebrated wrestler Neil Strebig, finishing him by TKO at 1:46 in the first round.
“From the moment the bell rang, everything was just a blur,” said Collins, who competes in the 155-pound lightweight division. “This whole experience from the training to the fight to the roar of the fans has been the craziest time of my life. I loved it.”
Tying up with his opponent early on, Jimmy landed four brutal body shots a la Randy Couture dirty boxing style. He then threw Strebig to the mat and transitioned between side control and a north and south position while throwing strong ground-and-pound punches. Eventually, Jimmy took the mount and finished off Strebig by TKO. It wasn’t a bad night’s work for his first time in the cage.
A gifted athlete, Jimmy lettered in football, baseball, and wrestling at Waltham High School. In football, he actually played nose guard despite his 5′6” stout stature and he went on to become a standout collegiate hitter and catcher on Bryant College’s baseball team in Rhode Island. He later began training in jiu-jitsu, boxing, and MMA. His debut fight came in Reality Fighting, the MMA branch of the NAGA organization.
“I just want to thank everybody who trained me to be the best I could be,” said Jimmy.
He noted his training with Lauzon MMA as run by Joe Lauzon, the UFC veteran and lightweight powerhouse contender. He also thanked longtime boxing and strength and conditioning coaches Peter Welch and Steve Baccari as well Kimura Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Jean Kleber. Jimmy didn’t forget to thank his wife, either, who accomplished a feat comparable to his victory by putting up with him while he cut weight and trained for the fight.
Kimura congratulates, thanks NAGA president
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.
New Takedown Class Wednesdays
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!
Promotion Rescheduled to September 26
The belt promotion at Kimura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy has been rescheduled to September 26, as many students will be on vacation during August. Continue to train hard and consistently and you will be eligible for promotion. More details will be posted later in the summer. There will also be a promotion at the end of the year on December 12. This offers students an unprecedented opportunity to participate in two promotions over just three months. All the more reason to stay focused and keep training in the second half of 2009!
Kimura to compete in BJJ World Championships
Eight Kimura competitors will head to the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships held in Long Beach, California June 4-7. As hosted by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), the tournament is one of the most prestigious in the world and draws thousands of international competitors. For more information and results, check out the IBJJF site (www.ibjjf.org). Everyone wish the best of luck to Jeff, Diego, Stanley, Thang, Ky, Tho, Lucas, and Bruno. Go Kimura!
