After a long hiatus due to COVID-19 lockdowns Fightsportuk Kids BJJ returned to the mats over summer 2021 as restrictions were lifted.
With all of us feeling a bit of mat rust due to working solo drills at home it was nice to get back into the swing of things. So after seeing Odyssey BJJ Head Youth Coach Adam Larkin promoted to Black Belt and Harlow’s primary Youth Coach James Butler promoted to Brown Belt it was the kids turn.
On the 9th of January we got to see sixteen well deserved promotions in Harlow with 6 new Grey-Black belts, 2 Grey belts, and 8 up and coming Grey Whites. With classes returning to a regular schedule and splitting by age and skill we are looking forward to seeing these guys and girls compete in 2022 and hopefully see some Yellow coloured belts this year!
If you are interested in learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in fun and sometimes a chaotic environment then children’s classes are currently held on Sundays and £5 a session -Beginners and Under 10s 9:30 – 10:15, Advanced and Over 10s 10:30 – 11:15.
For more information please contact us directly and we will be happy to help.
Big congratulations to Bogdan, Tomasz, Dylan & Daniel on competing on CW Academy. Win, lose or draw – you were awesome!!!!!!
Well done to Zaff @jits.247 on his bronze medal🥉 @ibjjf London Winter Open 2020 🥋 @odysseybjj 🤜🏽🤛🏽 @fightsportsuk 🦁 🙏🏽. The journey continues…🤙🏽#ibjjflondonopen #ibjjf #fightsportsuk #odysseybjj #michaelrussellbjj #brazilianjiujitsu #bjjaddict #bjjgi #bjjtraining #bjjcompetition #bjjathlete #bjjbluebelt #bjjlifestyle #jiujitsujourney #jiujitsu #bjj #everydayporrada
@esummerbell and Ben Rood on their promotions tonight! All the hard work has paid off – two new #OdysseyBJJ Blue Belts from @fightsportsuk ????
Well done to Chiara and Tom Melillo on their blue belts today @fightsportsuk hard work pays off???? congrats guys! #OdysseyBJJ #FightSportsUK
What a fantastic kids grading and team training day this morning! Congratulations to all on your new belts / stripes, a big thanks to all the coaches from each gym, especially @larkskin007 @joedavis1982@jbizzle_76 for the great job they’ve done to build the classes and in running the kids #BJJ program. #OdysseyBJJ the next generation is looking strong for the future??????
This weekend over 100 students from FightSportsUK, MMA Clinic Romford, MMA Clinic Angel, Hertford Combat Academy, MMAX Dorchester and Samson arrived at Redbridge Judo Club to represent Michael Russell BJJ. The day started with an inspirational speech from Michael Russell announcing the association name change from Michael Russell BJJ to Odyssey BJJ.
Michael spoke of the team expansion over the last 10 years from once a small student base teaching a handful of students to now over 150 students across six gyms, and the future team growth with the bright future of many Odyssey BJJ clubs. Michael spoke of how careful thought and consideration had gone into designing the new logo in order to maintain similarities between the Odyssey and Michael Russell BJJ logos, an association that will always exist in many peoples hearts.
Odyssey means ‘long and exciting journey’ and although challenging at times, Brazilian jiu-jitsu really is an exciting journey. Michael emphasised the importance of enjoying every grade and not being in a rush to get what is perceived as the pot of gold (ones blackbelt). Quoting “appreciate the ups and downs and be happy for your friends, should they receive the next stripe / belt, as your time WILL come, IF you stay with the journey”!!!!
Next came a formal line up in belt order and WOW what a line up it was, including up to 13 brown belts and 6 black belts. The belt promotions started with blue belts, then purple belts, then ending with brown belts, and I can honestly say looking through the lens, it was emotional. So many people coming together from different walks of life!
The day finished with students coming together and sharing their knowledge and passion for the sport by way of open mat techniques and sparring.
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We at FightSportsUK would personally like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone (Michael, Blackbelt Instructors, Assistant Instructors, organisers and students) who made this such an awesome occasion. Having known Michael and some of his students for over 10 years, it really is an honour to be part of such a fantastic family!
Mark Fry – FightSportsUK.
The doors of the Brentwood Centre opened on the 1st September to host ‘Rise of the Champions’ a Premier MMA event in Essex owned by Brad Picket and Micky Papas.
Upon the list of competitors were FightSportsUK Daniel Coates, Che To & Mat Huckle. FightSportsUK done outstanding bringing home 1 win by submission, 1 win by TKO and 1 loss by decision.
Dan Coates def Dardan Gashi via submission (RNC) at 2:17 of round 3
Che To def Nasraht Aliwaiwi via TKO (strikes) at 2:54 of round 1
Aaron “50 Shades” Gray def Matt Huckvale via decision
All fighters showed professionalism, determination and gave it their ALL during their training camp, at the weigh-ins, pre and post fight. We at FightSportsUK are very proud.
We would also like to say thank you to Tony Anderson (Head MMA Coach), Billy Leadly (Head Boxing Coach) & Darren Foster (MMA Coach) for all their hard work in preparing the team and their efforts throughout the night. You have all done FightSportsUK Proud.
Lastly thank you to all FightSports members and friends of the fighters who supported them and to @RiseOfChampionsMMA for running such a professional event.
FightSportsUK would like to congratulate Tony Smith on his promotion to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt under the Michael Russell Team.
Tony started training a long time ago and his promotion came with some emotional words “a few knee ops and injury blips that take bjj practitioners away from what they love. You see, we do this because we have to. It’s something very deep inside us that draws us to a mat of physical and psychological struggle. Our spirit is forged to iron. And we may go away for a while but we can never leave. what a thrill to be recognised by my peers as Brown Belt at 53yrs young”.
The FightSportsUK BJJ team continues to grow from strength to strength. Another high level practitioner to add to this ever growing team. Again well done Tony. OSS
See you all on the mat!
FightSportsUK is excited to announce that its Kids martial arts Essex based classes are growing from strength to strength!
Sunday – 11:00 – 12:00 Kids BJJ ages 5 years to 15 years
BJJ (Brazilian Jiujitsu) is a grappling art which teaches students about leverage. It’s a mental game meets the physical, often being compared to a game of chess with the human body. Your children will learn how to break fall, sweep an opponent and apply proper technique all while having fun and developing good coordination skills.
Thursday – 17:00 – 18:00 Kids Muay Thai ages 6 years to 13 years
Muay Thai is the art of 8 limbs; hands (punching), feet (kicks), knees and elbows. Children will learn how to strike properly along with footwork drills, how to stay calm under pressure, apply the clinch and stay fit!
Kids martial arts classes help improve confidence, fitness, discipline and social skills. Our gym in Harlow, Essex is happy to bring these classes to the community!
We are located in the upstairs area inside Ripped Gym, close to the Harlow town centre and Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The children’s classes offer a different and fun sport for your kids and a way for them to socialise and have fun.
Follow us on social media for more information or feel free to pop in to ask more questions
www.facebook.com/fightsportsuk
www.instagram.com/fightsportsuk
www.twitter.com/fightsportsuk