Local club to train with Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion

Friday 05 January 2018

A seven-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion considered one of the top practitioners in the discipline will be visiting Jersey tomorrow for a specialist seminar with the students from Gracie Barra.

Braulio Estima visits Jersey at least twice a year to meet and train with students from the local academy, which is based at Fort Regent.

Rob Staples, the head coach at Gracie Barra, says Braulio's visit is always a highlight for all students. "He loves Jersey, it's where he met the mother of his children and he comes back often. He first came over in 2004 and since then it's been a regular thing. He likes building relationships over a period of time, and he is a very approachable person.

"A lot of our students have been training since the academy opened 18 years ago and they look forward to seeing him year after year. Others only started last year and only met him once. He comes to train with the students and he always brings new concepts all the time."

While Braulio's stay in Jersey will be short - he is only here for the day - he will also make a quick visit to the academy in Guernsey. He's then due to return to the Channel Islands later in the year for a five-day summer camp.

With 112 students aged five to 50 eager to learn new training tips, Braulio should have his hands full. Mr Staples says his input will be invaluable. "There's not many other sports where you would get someone who is a World Champion. To be able to have him in Jersey is great, especially since he is a good fit in the academy and we work well with him."

While the seminar will kick off the New Year, the academy's black belts won't let the momentum die down. They'll be working hard throughout the year to continue helping Gracie Barra and its trainees - young and old - to grow in their skills and score some prizes at competitions.

Mr Staples commented: "We have kids who will be competing in National, European and World Championships. There is a real potential and there has been a lot of exposure around martial arts so we will try to keep the momentum going. 

"We will also try to grow the female numbers as we don't have many women at the moment."

Lead picture: John Liot