Gordo Jiu Jitsu - 4 yr B-day & Real Rio Show clips

My flight is booked to leave this Sunday evening.  I just thought I'd put out a quick little shout out to the Gordo Academy on their 4yr anniversary.  The Real Rio show caught the celebration - this clip featuring Gordo, Gordinho (Gordo's Brother), Rafael dos Anjos, and Renzo Gracie (speaking about how Gordo came to BJJ and the Gracies).




There is also a little belt promotion ceremony at the end of this clip.  This is of significance as I got my blue belt from Gordo in October of 2009 (my last night in Rio during my first trip down).  There is a gentleman in this clip who also got a blue from Gordo and he expresses how I felt that night (albeit a bit sad (long story)).

I remember the first time I trained at Gordo's academy - it was a Monday morning.  I had arrived in Rio on the Friday, gotten sick, and spent the weekend trying to feel better as well as trying to overcome the shock of having quit my job, selling everything I could, packing the rest of my stuff away, and going all the way to Rio to follow my heart and leave the crap behind.

Anyhow, I walked in and introduced myself to Gordo. It was a nervous experience to say the least.  I did not know a spit of Portuguese and I was a foreigner in a strange new place.  I did the morning class and afterwards talked to Gordo about prices, times, etc.  It was at this time that Gordo asked me how come I just showed up to and that Dennis had told him this guy from Canada was going to show up a week ago.  I cannot remember what exactly I told him but in the end I ended up training pretty much everyday at Gordo's (this was before the renovations to his academy) and enjoyed it so much I came back a year later.

Here is  pic of Gordo awarding me my blue belt in BJJ:

I plan on going back to Gordo's and Rio soon (in all likelihood next summer).

Here is another clip from the Real with a Gracie Barra Black Belt named "Drive-in" working with some kids in his academy.




Some very impressive Jiu Jitsu from some very young competitors.

Here is a clip with some of the guys from the Connection Rio house rolling at Drive-In's academy:



Well in a few days I will be off to Ryan Hall's academy to train for about a week and a half.  After that I'm down to Charlotte to train at Great Grappling Academy with new Gordo Black Belt Jeremy Ariel.

Peace out.

Andre