Vini Aieta seminar and Eduardo Dib Black Belt ceremony

Saturday, 20 August 2011 23:45

dudu_bb

Saturday 20th August was a special day at Toronto BJJ as we welcomed another Professor of Jorge Britto to the academy to award Eduardo Dib (Dudu) his Black Belt. Professor Vini Aieta, the last of Jorges 3 Peers to visit*, led a special class with about 110 students in attendance to see the 1st Black Belt being awarded at Toronto BJJ's Bloor street location. There were also some promotions for some students as we celebrated another day of being able to learn Jiu Jitsu together.

The head of Gracie Tijuca was welcomed by a packed Dojo. Jorge opened up with some words about the occasion and what it meant to him, as did Vini and Dudu and we started class. As we started we also acknowledged Seana's attendance as she continues to inspire everybody with her strength and courage off the mats.

There was not much room to move due to the amount of students but Vini led us with some stretches and then we got to work on the 2 concepts he wished to teach us.

The first concept was breaking down hip escapes into 3 parts and how to correctly use angles ('Galiano' in Portuguese?) and connections with opponents to escape from half guard. The second concept was how to use your hips to be more effective in breaking someone down when they are in your guard. His understanding of such small details is incredible. Jorge translated when Vini wanted to describe more in Portuguese. It was fun to watch Vini demonstrate on Jorge and to see our Professor still gaining knowledge from his Professor and enjoying doing so.

vini_move

We spent alot of time working these moves and I took the opportunity for Vini to demonstrate on me the way he used his hips in the guard so I could get the best understanding. It's a game changer.

We also went over some breathing techniques at the end of the class to get a better understanding of breathing using our diaphragm.

When we lined up for the promotions Jorge again spoke about what it means to be promoted and what he is looking for on and off the mat from his students. He acknowledge his role in helping us get to the next level in Jiu Jitsu and our lives and how we in turn do the same for him. As the main promotions are at the end of the year there was not a massive number of advancements. Also, students who were due to be promoted were not there because of vacations. Some students, including myself, got stripes, there were about half a dozen white to blue belts..2 new purple belts and of course Eduardo received his Black Belt.

I was very happy for Dudu who had not worn the Black Belt which was presented to him in Brazil about 2 weeks before. He was waiting until it was made official here in Toronto and I respect that alot. After some more words from Vini, Jorge and Josh (Toronto BJJ's owner) we huddled together for our group photo.

group_vini

We then prepared the longest gauntlet corridor I have seen and we whipped the backs of the newly promoted students (except Dudu). Then we did Forma (formation), closed and took pictures with our Professors and friends.

alessandro_vini

Alessandro running the gauntlet after getting his Purple Belt

stripe

Myself with Professor Britto, Eduardo and Vini Aieta - 4th stripe on my belt

We have this incredible time in our lives to develop ourselves and our friends in this beautiful art. We can help build each other up and encourage each other every day to become better people. We can share our love of learning and our passion to succeed. It's an amazing thing to be apart of a family like we have at Toronto BJJ and I hope to never have to stop this journey.

Proverbs 13:20 NIV
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Congrats to Eduardo and everybody who was promoted and thanks to Vernon Anothony Kee for taking all the images and allowing me to use them.

For more photos - drop by the SOTN Facebook page

*Saulo Ribeiro, Royler Gracie and Vini Aieta were the 3 Black Belts who trained and promoted Jorge.

Follow @ScottOnTheNet