Some of Dis, Some of Dat Sunday!!

Here is an excellent video recap of Master Renzo's recent visit to our academy, put together by one of our teammates, Brian Ruppert and his ace, Steven Badagliacco. On this very same evening one of our brothers was receiving a very special promotion.

Now,let me preface this announcement with this segue- there is a particular traditional martial arts organization, which will remain unnamed, that catches a lot of flack at our academy. In fact, some of our training partners were former members..and currently well on their way to 100% BJJ recovery!! While many organizations will make all sorts of  outlandish claims, the traditional martial arts in general must be given their due respect. For those of you that may not know, Prof. Codella  studied Kajukenbo, a Hawaiian martial art, and Estacada for many years. Let us not be short-sighted and sleep on these martial arts. I hope to explore the subject of the traditional martial arts and their influence on BJJ practitioners further with Prof. Codella in a future article. 

Someone else we can discuss this matter with is Mike 2K(Karate/Kimura) Hanrahan who earned his Sandan- 3rd degree black belt in Okinawan Gojuryu! Congratulations, brother!!

*** Prof. Codella is taking our Academy to whole different level, future world class training facility certain to be mentioned with the likes of Greg Jackson MMA, American Top Team,..ok,a bit lofty but the best badass facility on the East Coast for sure!! We will now be offering classes in Muay Thai- The Art of Eight Limbs!- to be taught by Dom Piscitelli, the training partner of Master Renzo's Muay Thai instructor, Jamie Crowder. Imagine the countless combinations in your arsenal  when attacking your opponent: from knees in the clinch to Mike Valente take down or spinning back fist to flying cow hands ala Prof. Fajardo! Unstoppable is what we are destined be!!

***But wait, there's more!!  Codella Academy will now be sponsored by Gaspari Nutrition! fine makers of Myofusion protein, Super Pump and Size ON supplements! More specific details regarding Team Gaspari will be forthcoming.

***Save the date- Saturday August 27th, 2011. Evolution Amateur Fights in Rahway, NJ will be featuring  our warriors Mark F., Ramy and Mike 2K so far. I'll be sure to keep you posted with ticket and fight card info.

***For all those interested in competing, I added a list on the blog, with links, to upcoming local tournaments. If there are other ev that you would like me to add please contact me via email or leave a message for me at the academy.

Now get to training!!

Who's House Is This? Renzo's House!!

Master Renzo left our academy over a week ago and our house is still abuzz with that awesome feeling of positive energy  and team pride that feeds us all to not only train harder but help our fellow teammates to be the best martial artists they can be. That unselfishness, camaraderie, and display of utmost respect is clearly evident when our Professor, Mike Codella and his teacher and mentor, Master Renzo Gracie are together. This is a relationship that some of us may take for granted or many of us may fail to understand how fortunate we are to be taught and led by a professor who has direct and immediate access to his instructor for not only technical knowledge but moral support and guidance as well. Then there's always the opportunity to roll with Master Renzo and get submitted by him to help one put all that valuable information into perspective!!

As I get older and have spent about four years now at the academy, it's impossible to not appreciate this rich and vibrant lineage that 'We' are integral part of. We, as benefactors, just like our Professor,  bear the burden and responsibility to represent Codella Academy and Team Renzo Gracie to the fullest, on the mats and in our daily lives! 

Enough with the preaching to the choir, on to the good stuff!! When Master Renzo is in the house, there is always great stuff, laughs aplenty, awesome techniques, hilarious anecdotes, and well deserved promotions!!!

It has to be fantastic feeling to be slapped with your new belt by Master Renzo himself!! Congratulations!!

The following members were promoted:

Yellow belt- Allan

   

Green belt- Sam,  John I. & Chris P.

Blue belt- Marco Codella, Matt Fallon, Hiram Martinez & Anthony Truscelli

 

Purple belt: Nick Assini, Anthony Balestrieri, Steve Fallon

 

**Black belt- Mark Conroy

**Black belt w/ 1 stripe- Gerry Fajardo

I'll have the technique videos up on the next  blog post. Here are some pics for now...