Winter Grading report

On December 22nd, Aspida Team held its 1st winter grading at the new academy with almost 100 people attending .

The importance of this event is that Master Pantelis Panyides, after 16 years of training BJJ was promoted by his old friend and Master, Renzo Gracie to black belt on a trip to NYC the week before.

Aspida Team Academy was founded by Pantelis in 2003 as the fist BJJ school in Cyprus. From then until summer 2011, the academy didn't have a fixed base. In 2011 Pantelis Panayides and Andreas Achniotis opened the doors of their own academy, adding more classes and more choices for their athletes like boxing, wrestling and physical conditioning. The academy is now an official affiliate academy of master Renzo Gracie.

The numbers of the students they are growing monthly and the standard of the academy is raised by younger more athletic students. Younger talents are joining, promising a great future for the academy.

The valuation of the grading was simple: hard work and dedication were the main criteria. Each athlete is different and so the expectations for us are different from each.

Last but not least, a big thank you to our students and ther families for making the Aspida Team academy possible.

Bjj for Kids

New classes for kids
From the new year 2012 aspidateam will add new classes for kids to the schedule, between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. The kids class will focus on basic techniques of Bjj, flexibility, physical fitness, self defense and team spirit.

Bjj is one of the most evolutionary sports of this century. The sport is the fastest growing and evolving sport of today, suitable for all ages, men and women, and does not require a high level physical strength.

We will aim to teach the sport in a fun and safe environment. Jiu jitsu rolling comes naturally to kids as that is the way they play at that age. My personal experience of the sport at such a young age is that it taught me self discipline, sense of community, and training and fitness became a way of life for me . My oldest friends are from my early wrestling and judo academies. Throughout my studies in university, I continued with Bjj which helped me put a training routine in my life. Competitions are also a good way to evaluate your level, set goals, and winning and losing develops sportsmanship. It teaches them to train and prepare before the competition, making them more responsible, but also teaches them teamwork and cooperation.

Aspidateam winter grading

Like every year on the 22 of December aspidateam will hold a grading where certain students will change belts. This year will be a special one as Pantelis will have just returned from NYC Renzo's academy . This is also the first graduation in our new academy and with a record number of graduates who will change belts.

This year the event will start as an open mat at 19:00 and at 20:30 the grading begins. The idea is to bring the whole team together as well as their friends and family for drinks and Christmas cake.

Please RSVP who will be attending by the 19/12

Milano challenge 2011

The numbers speak for themselves. To be able to successfully organize a bjj competition with 530 fighters, Italian and international, means that the sport is growing rapidly with a lot of fans. Andrea Baggio the host of the event has managed to to turn a small in-house competition into the biggest BJJ event in Italy, and one of the most popular in Europe. All the Milanimal members, staff and friends were working all together so the event ran well-orginised. The team spirit of the Milanimal team was evident, as all the fighters would run to help the staff before and after their fights. This is then true spirit of a hosting team, Bravo Milannimal!

The level of the competition was really high, all the athletes they were well prepared physically and technically but also strategically. A few years ago you would only see fighters using the de la riva or x guard at black belt level on YouTube clips and at world class competitions. Now you see fighters of all levels, including white belts, experimenting with these and other transitions.

As for Aspida Team, I want to congratulate all fighters. Losing or winning is part of the game, but more important was the competition experience. Well done Fantis and Tash . The girls of Aspida Team fought impressively with heart and they managed to go head to head with their opponents. Nasia in the end won the bronze metal in her weight division. Andreas Achniotis won the bonze metal in brown belt Open division.

Andreas Achniotis 3rd place, Brown belt open category.

Nasia Zannouppa 3rd place, White belt -53kg.

Aspida Team at the Milano challenge 2011 - George Phantis, Andreas Achniotis, Nasia Zannouppa and Anastasia Gerali.

The "Milanimal" seminar

Last week, we had the honour to host a seminar with our good friend and trainer Andrea Baggio. Andrea is a brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and main instructor of Milanimal brazilian jiu jitsu academy.

Day 1:The topic of the seminar was how to control the mount position and react on the escape by taking the back. Using the technical mount, how to stay on the position even with different escapes. A new way of moving our weight and balance on the top of the mount position!

Day 2: Andrea emphasized the importance of a strategic game! The topic of the first part was how to take and control the back and choke from this position. The second part was how to defend the choke from the back and escape from the position. The point of having a game plan by taking the back from your opponent forces you to be more aggressive and always be ahead. By always going for your opponent's back, in an attempt to defend and escape, many other possible positions open up. Andrea's advised us to think of BJJ as FLOW-motion, each move leading to many other possible moves like chess as opposed to a choreographed dance.

At the end of the seminar, Andrea promoted me with the brown belt. Grazie Andre. I also want to take this opportunity to thank my friend, partner and trainer Pantelis and all the guys at Aspida team that helped me in my journey to earning this belt. It's not only my achievement, but Aspida Team's achievement. This belt shows that the level of the school is high and promising for the future!

This seminar is the first of many collaborations between Aspida team and Milanimal JJ. We would like to thank Andrea for a very enjoyable and considered seminar and pointers. Everyone enjoyed themselves and certainly learned something new about positions and the importance of a strategic game plan.

Cross Fit

Crossfit is a strength and conditioning program that builds strength and increases endurance while working on your weaknesses using functional movements combined into high intensity, varied workouts.

CrossFit eliminates routine and challenges participants each and every session to strive to be the best they can be. It’s designed for universal scalability, making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience and conditioning who is looking to become leaner, stronger, faster, more fit and confident.

CrossFit is great for developing a broad base of fitness. Rather than working muscles in isolation, CrossFit exercises involve the entire body, a method that gets balanced results much quicker than traditional programs. CrossFit uses Olympic lifting progressions, basic gymnastic skills and high intensity cardio combined with many other movements, beneficial in day-to-day life.

Whether you want to lose weight, increase your functional strength and fitness, training as an elite athlete, in the armed forces, a housewife or a grandparent, CrossFit is for you and will benefit anyone ready to accept the challenge.

Aspida team will add this strength and conditioning program to create more complete athletes in all aspects!

Abu Dhabi pro Trials

Trials for the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship are out. Trials will commence worldwide this September 2011 and continue through March 2012, with the Finals slated for March 13-15 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The competition includes gi and no-gi divisions.

EuropianTrials Dates:

Stockholm, Sweden September 10-11, 2011

Warsaw, Poland October 22-23, 2011

Paris, France December 3-4, 2011

Bucharest, Romania February11-12, 2012

Lisbon, Portugal February 18-19, 2012

London, United Kingdom March 3-4, 2012

The Abu Dhabi World Pro JiuJitsu Championship is different than, but often confused with the ADCC Championships (Abu Dhabi Combat Club- ADCC). Unlike the Abu Dhabi World Pro JiuJitsu Championship, the ADCC is a no-gi submission championship ONLY and is held every two years, with finals taking place in a different worldwide city. This year's ADCC Championship will take place in Nottingham, England, September 24-25.

For further info on dates, locations, and belt divisions held at each location (which vary by region), visit their official website: http://uaejj.com/en/index.php/wpjjc-2012-info

Seminar Andrea Baggio 31.10.2011

The seminar will take place on the 31st of October, and will be open to the public. You may take part in the work-out, or simply observe. Prices are 10 euro for members, and 20 euro for non-members, whether you participate or not. Andrea Baggio will be training with us at the school, on Thursday the 27th of October and prices are 10 euro (members ONLY).

Andrea Baggio "MILANIMAL"

Andrea Baggio is a Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt (under Federico Tisi), being one of the pioneers of BJJ in Italy. He has helped develop the sport in his native country being a coach of the Milanimal Team, hand having founded one of the most important BJJ tournaments in this historical country, the “Milano Challenge”.

Andrea Baggio in Detail

Full Name: Andrea Baggio

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Federico Tisi > Andrea Baggio

Main Achievements:

• European Champion (2008 brown master);
• Scandinavian Open Champion (2005 purple);
• ADCC Italian Trials Champion;
• European Bronze Medallist (2009 black master);
• European Bronze Medallist (2010 black – CBJJE);
• Abu Dhabi Pro Warsaw Trial Bronze Medallist (2011)

Weight Division: Peso Pena (70kg-154lbs)

Favourite Technique: Guard Pass (Toreada)

Team/Association: Milanimal

Andrea Baggio Biography

Andrea Baggio was born in Milano on the 6th of June, 1978. He started learning martial arts as a child, namely Judo, and it was because of Judo that Andrea got interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He started learning BJJ as a way to improve his newazza (Judo ground work) in 2000 with Gustavo Fernandez Triviño who was at the time a purple belt under Freddy Sukata (Triviño later became a black belt and moved to Argentina where he teaches BJJ). Baggio didn’t pursue his Jiu Jitsu education with Fernandez for long, moving to Federico Tisi’s camp in that same year.

Andrea Baggio was awarded all belts by Frederico Tisi, including his black belt on January 2008, just after Baggio won the European Open (IBJJF) in the Brown Belt Master Division.

Despite his engineering degree at Politecnico di Milano, he dedicated himself full time to BJJ working at Milanimal Academy in Milan since he was a purple belt, giving private and group classes. He is also the promoter and founder of one of the most important Italian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament, MILANO CHALLENGE.

Important websites:
Milanimal Website: www.milanimal.com
Milano Challenge: milanochallenge.com

Adcc 2011 results

Superfights

Braulio Estima defeats Jacare (Braulio by points)

Renzo Gracie x Ze Mario Sperry (Ze Mario by points)

Absolute

Joao Assis x Victor Estima (Victor by points)

Gunnar Nelson x Bruno Frazzato (Gunnar by points)
Pablo Popovitch x Janne-Pekka Pietilainen (Pablo by points)
Xande Ribeiro x Jeff Monson (Xande by DQ?)
Vinny Magalhaes x Bruno Bastos (Vinny by points)
Murillo Santana x Marko Helen (Murillo by points)
Sergio Moraes x Antonio Braga Neto (Sergio by heel hook)
Shinzo Ansai x Andre Galvao (Galvao by RNC – Puts him to sleep)

Quarterfinals

Victor Estima x Pablo Popovitch (Pablo by points)
Xande Ribeiro x Gunnar Nelson (Xande by points)
Vinny Magalhaes x Murillo Santana (Murillo by decision)
Sergio Moraes x Andre Galvao (Galvao by points)

Semi Finals

Pablo Popovitch x Xande Ribeiro (Pablo on points)
Murillo Santana x Andre Galvao ( Galvao by points)

3rd Place

Murillo Santana x Xande Ribeiro (Xande by points)

Final

Pablo Popovitch x Andre Galvao (Galvao by toehold)

+99 KGs

Fabricio Werdum x Alexander Trans (Werdum by armbar)
Mateusz Juskowiak x Jeff Monson (Monson by points)
Cyborg Abreu x Sekine Hideki (Cyborg by armbar)
Glover Teixeira x Jarrod Bunch (Teixeira by guillotine)
Vinny Magalhaes x Luke Costello (Vinny by decision)
Jose Fereira Junior x Bruno Bastos (Junior by heel hook)
Gerardi Rinaldi x Mick Wilson (Rinaldi by points)
Janne-Pekka Pietilainen x Rodrigo Artilheiro (Pietilainen by points)

Quarterfinals

Fabricio Werdum x Jeff Monson (Werdum by armbar)
Cyborg Abreu x Glover Teixeira (Cyborg by points)
Vinny Magalhaes x Jose Fereira Junior (Vinny by heel hook)
Gerardi Rinaldi x Janne-Pekka Pietilainen (Rinaldi by points)

Semi Finals

Fabricio Werdum x Cyborg Abreu (Werdum by points)
Vinny Magalhaes x Gerardi Rinaldi (Vinny by points)

3rd Place Match

Cyborg Abreu x Gerardi Rinaldi (Cyborg by footlock)

Final

Fabricio Werdum x Vinny Magalhaes (Vinny by points)

-99 KGs

Xande Ribeiro x Kari Peltola (Xande by armbar)
Sinsho Ansai x Lucio Lagarto Rodrigues (Lagarto by points)
Antonio Braga Neto x Igor Praporshchikov (Braga Neto by triangle)
Joao Assis x James Poupolo (Joao by heelhook)
Rodolfo Vieira x Jesph Lee Baize (Rodolfo by armbar)
Kamil Uminski x Antonio Peinado (Peinado by armbar)
Radek Turek x James Brasco (Turek by points)
Dean Lister x Augusto Ferrari (Lister by points)

Quarterfinals

Xande Ribeiro x Lucio Lagarto Rodrigues (Xande by RNC – puts him to sleep)
Antonio Braga Neto x Joao Assis (Joao by toehold)
Rodolfo Vieira x Antonio Peinado (Rodolfo by points)
Radek Turek x Dean Lister (Lister by heel hook)

Semi Finals

Xande Ribeiro x Joao Assis (Joao by RNC)
Rodolfo Vieira x Dean Lister (Lister by heel hook)

3rd Place Match

Xande Ribeiro x Antonio Peinado (Rodolfo out with injury – Xande by points)

Final

Joao Assis x Dean Lister (Dean by heel hook)

-88 KGs

Rousimar Palahares x Dan Schon (Palahares by heel hook)
Cameron Rowe x David Avellan (Avellan by points)
Rafael Lovato Jr x Jeon Doo Kwang (Lovato Jr by RNC)
Romulo Barral x Kyle Griffin (Griffin by points)
Pablo Popovitch x Zbigniew Tyszka (Pablo by points)
James Harbison x Sergio Moraes (Sergio by points)
Andre Galvao x Don Ortega (Galvao by points)
Gunnar Nelson x Marko Helen (Gunnar by points)

Quarterfinals

Rousimar Palahares x David Avellan (Palahares by kneebar)
Rafael Lovato Jr x Kyle Griffin (Lovato Jr by triangle)
Pablo Popovitch x Sergio Moraes (Pablo by points)
Andre Galvao x Gunnar Nelson (Galvao by points)

Semi Finals

Rousimar Palahares x Rafael Lovato Jr (Palhares by heel hook)
Pablo Popovitch x Andre Galvao (Galvao by points)

3rd Place Match

Rafael Lovato Jr x Pablo Popovitch (Pablo by points)

Final

Rousimar Palahares x Andre Galvao (Galvao by points)

-77 KGs

Marcelo Garcia x Davis Hart (Marcelo by guillotine)
Sanshiro Nakakura x Victor Estima (Victor by points)
Murillo Santana x Jorge Britto (Santana by points)
Kron Gracie x Jason Manly (Kron by guillotine)
Claudio Calasans x Daniel Strauss (Calasans by kneebar)
Vagner Rocha x Augusto Tanquinho Mendes (Tanquinho by footlock)
Leo Viera x Enricco Coco (Leo by points)
JT Torres x Clark Gracie (JT by points)

Quarterfinals

Marcelo Garcia x Victor Estima (Marcelo by guillotine)
Kron Gracie x Murillo Santana (Kron by points)
Claudio Calasans x Augusto Tanquinho Mendes (Calasans by points)
Leo Viera x JT Torres (Leo by points)

Semi Finals

Marcelo Garcia x Kron Gracie (Marcelo by points)
Claudio Calasans x Leo Viera (Leo by points)

3rd Place Match

Kron Gracie x Claudio Calasans (Kron by RNC)

Final

Marcelo Garcia x Leo Viera (Marcelo by triangle)

-66 KGs

Rafael Mendes x Bruno Frazzato (Rafa by points)
Justin Rader x Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas (Rader by points)
Robson Moura x Greger Forsel (Robson by points)
Ryan Hall x Tatsu Hadairo (Hall by points)
Rubens Cobrinha Charles x David Marinakis (Cobrinha by triangle)
Nicolas Renier x Barret Yoshida (Yoshida by RNC)
Jeff Glover x Tom Barlow (Glover by points)
Rafael Dos Santos x Marko Ramos (Ramos by points)

Quarterfinals

Rafael Mendes x Justin Rader (Rafa by RNC)
Robson Moura x Ryan Hall (Robson by points)
Rubens Cobrinha Charles x Barret Yoshida (Cobrinha by points)
Jeff Glover x Marko Ramos (Glover by Darce)

Semi Finals

Rafael Mendes x Robson Moura (Rafa by points)
Rubens Cobrinha Charles x Jeff Glover (Cobrinha by points)

3rd Place Match

Robson Moura x Jeff Glover (Glover by guillotine)

Final

Rafael Mendes x Rubens Cobrinha Charles (Rafa by points)

Women -60 KGs

Luanna Alzuguir x Cathilee Albert (Luanna by sub)
Michelle Nicolinni x Yasmine Wilson (Michelle by sub)
Rosi Sexton x Hashi Takayo (Takayo by points)
Sara Stevenson x Kyra Gracie (Kyra by armbar)

Semi Finals

Luanna Alzuguir x Michelle Nicolinni (Michelle by points)
Hashi Takayo x Kyra Gracie (Kyra by points)

3rd Place Match

Luanna Alzuguir x Hashi Takayo (Luanna by kneebar)

Final

Michelle Nicolinni x Kyra Gracie (Kyra by omoplata)

Women +60 KGs

Gabi Garcia x Devi Ahuja (Gabi by Americana)
Penny Thomas x Talita Nogueira (Penny by RNC)
Ida Hansson x Katrina Weilbacher (Ida by points)
Fiona Muxlow x Hanette Staack (Hanette by RNC)

Semi Finals

Gabi Garcia x Penny Thomas (Gabi by americana)
Ida Hansson x Hanette Staack (Hanette by points)

3rd Place Match

Penny Thomas x Ida Hansson (Ida by injury to Penny)

Final

Gabi Garcia x Hanette Staack (Gabi by points)

Milano challenge 2011

The Milano challenge is be founded by Andrea Baggio BJJ black belt in 2009 .The main idea for this competition was to bring all the Italian athletes for a BJJ challenge for them not just to compete but to test there level in-house or even to start preparing for bigger events like the European championships.

The event's popularity grew in 2010 with athletes from all Europe participating, raising the event to an international high level tournament.

I believe that this year event is promising more. Higher levels, more participants and spectacular matches!

On 26.11.11 The Milano challenge is open to men and women with white, blue, purple and brown belts. Check it out!

www.milanochallenge.com

The new Academy

Tatami area 120 msq

NEW ACADEMY PROGRAM 2011

This program is valid form September 1st 2011

For the advance class on tuesday (18:30-19:30) is for purple belts and over only

For the NO GI (friday)class people that they what to join they have to attend at lest tow classes with the GI!

ACADEMY & HYGIENE RULES

Remember to :

-Be on time

-Bring your belt

-Bring your clean gi

-Nails must be trimmed

-No jewellery or watches

-Respect the others

-Leave your ego at the door

-Keep the gym clean

-Respect the shower que
-Respect the hierarchy

Braulio Estima vs. Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza

One of the most interesting ADCC Super Fights will be this one. We are talking about two top class athletes! Estima was at the peak of his career in 2009, winning gold at ADCC in his weight division and in an open division, and also three times Abu Dhabi World Pro champion. Jacare is five times World Pro champion since the age of 17 and a Strike Force belt holder.

Jacare has a really strong stand up game. He would probably try to keep the fight 'up' and wait for the last minutes to shout for a take down. Control the position and eventually win. On the other hand Braulio has a strong 'guard' and the amazing ability to attack for submission from almost every position. He would probably attempt a take down from the very beginning of the fight and eventually bring the fight in his court.

Andreas

Eddie Bravo vs Royler Gracie 2

The long anticipated match between the two rivals, Bravo and Gracie. Back in 2003, Bravo got the win with a triangle. Is it possible Royler will make the same mistake for a second time? The match at the time, Royler, an already big name, underestimated the basically unknown Bravo, who managed to impose his game plan and tap-out the never before submitted Royler Gracie. Even now, after so many years, Bravo still gets much credit for that match.

The re-match promises much. We are going to see a completely different game, looking at the old match, we've seen Bravo has no problem replacing to guard from cross-side. Royler will need to switch his base and move to North-South. From there attack with guillotines and arm-triangles. Bravo will not stay still, he will turn on all fours or play reverse guard. This gives Royler the opportunity to get the back or attack the legs. I would also like to see Bravo passing Royler's guard. Bravo is such a creative and unorthodox player, we never know what new game plan he's going to bring to the table. In any scenario both players are so flexible and masters of the game, that predictions are hard to make. Here we are split, Andreas believes that Royler is too old to handle Eddie. If the rematch was in the same year, Royler would have won the rematch. But too many years have passed, so he believes unorthodox Eddie is the favourite to win this rematch, while I feel that Royler will have done his homework and be alert this time. He will not as easily fall into Eddie's traps and win this the old fashioned way.

Pantelis

ADCC Finals 2011

So guys, if you're looking for the most spectacular grappling event, look no further: the ADCC finals are on September 24th & 25th in Nottingham, England!

ADCC finals take place every two years, with trials being every other year in different countries on all the continents. The winner of every country's trial then competes in continental trials before making it to the finals. Only the top two have the opportunity to compete in the Finals. ADCC also gives 5 invitation passes to five top grappling athletes (which has included UFC fighters, previous ADCC winners, and other big names). This year, they allowed fans of ADCC Facebook to vote these five invite passes in each weight category.

In this tournament, Aspida mates are competing, such as Pantelis's instrustor Renzo Gracie, friends Braulio Estima, Danny Prokopos, Mario Rinaldi and Penny Thomas. We wish them all GOOD LUCK. We are sure they will all do well!

List of competitors is here and my predictions:

-65.9kg
Rafael Mendes
Greger Forsel
Marko Ramos
David Marinakis
Tetsu Hadairo
Jeff Glover
Bruno Frazzato
Timo-juhani Hirvikangas
Ryan Hall
Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles
Rani Yahya
Baret Yoshida
Robson Moura
Denny Prokopos
Tom Barlow

*** Prediction: Rafael Mendes***

-76.9kg
Jorge Britto
Vagner Rocha
Davis Hart
Takanori Gomi
Enricco Coco
Murilo Santana
Daniel Strauss
Marcelo Garcia
Gunnar Nelson
Leo Vieira
JT Torres
Kron Gracie
Gregor Gracie
Augusto Mendes “Tanquinho”

***Prediction: Marcelo Garcia***

-87.9kg
André Galvão
Marko Helen
Rustam Chsiev
Cameron Rowe
Jeon Doo Kwang
JJ Holmes
Claudio Calasans
Zbigniew Tyszka
Pablo Popovitch
Rafael Lovato jr
Romulo Barral
Rousimar Palhares
Sergio Moraes
Paulo Filho
Dan Schon

***Prediction: Andre Galvao***

-98.9kg
Xande Ribeiro
Kari Peltola
Joseph Lee Baize
Igor Praporshchikov
Animal Anzai
James Poupolo
Augusto Ferrari
Kamil Uminski
Roger Gracie
Rodolfo Viera
Joao Assis
Dean Lister
Alexander Trans
Robert Drysdale

***Roger Gracie***

+99kg
Fabricio Werdum
Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen
Mario Rinaldi
Mick Wilson
Sekine Hideki
Jared Rosholt
Gabriel Vella
Mateusz Juskowiak
Jeff Monson
Bruno Bastos
Roberto “cyborg” abreu
Antonio ”bigfoot” Silva
Vinny Magalhaes
Geraldi Rinaldi
Fereira Jose Junior

***Fabricio Werdum***

-60kg Women
Luanna Alzuguir
Lara Jayne Ng
Hashi Takayo
Cathilee Albert
Michelle Nicolini
Sara Svensson
Kyra Gracie

***Kyra Gracie***

+60kg Women
Hannette Staack
Fiona Muxlow
Penny Thomas
Talita Nogueira
Devi Ahuja
Gabi Garcia
Cris Cyborg

***Cris Cyborg***

*Competitor list subject to change.