Clifton resident wins another jiu-jitsu tournament!

Clifton resident wins another jiu-jitsu tournament!

Sean Yadimarco, a Clifton resident, wins another jiu jitsu tournament making that the 4th one he has won this year! The Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student is readying himself for the IBJJF World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in June. Therefore, he is competing as much as he can. This past weekend, he won his division at the North American Grappling Association  (NAGA) tournament, the 2nd time he has won that tournament in the last 2 years. Yadimarco is a bluebelt at only 16 yrs old, a tough rank to receive at that age.

On a tear!

He has been on a tear for the last 2 years. Since January of 2015, Yadimarco has won the following Tournaments: NJBJJF, NAGA, The Good Fight, United Grapplers Association and the Big Apple Open. His instructor, Professor Chris Savarese raves about Sean. “Sean is an absolute beast! He can do anything he puts his mind to. His future is as bright as he wants it. He has those traits you can’t teach like mental toughness and a killer instinct.” Sean was also a standout on the Clifton high School wrestling team last season, making it to the regional tournament before being eliminated.

Savarese Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is differentiated from other martial arts by its focus on grappling and ground fighting. Most notable are the uses of chokeholds and joint locks used to submit opponents. These have earned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a formidable reputation.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enjoys a rich history, avoiding the commercialization that has watered down other martial arts with ‘McDojos,’ cash for pretty coloured belts, and trophies for everyone. Lineage is incredibly important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and practitioners take great pride in tracing their roots back to the origins of BJJ.

BJJ’s roots

BJJ’s roots begin with one of Japanese Judo’s top ground fighting experts, Mitsuyo Maeda. Maeda, aka ‘ Conde Koma  ,’ travelled the globe giving demonstrations and competing against martial artists and fighters from other styles before landing in Brazil in 1914. It was here that Maeda met Carlos Gracie, who became his student. Carlos and his younger brother Helio Gracie are considered the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Since then, different family members have formed their own slightly different variations of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie Humaita Jiu-Jitsu academy in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, remains one of the most prominent and well respected schools. It is now ran by Helio’s sons Rolker and Royler Gracie who Professor Savarese trained under.

BJJ Today

Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to dominate mixed martial arts events, such as the UFC. If one martial art stands out as a leader in MMA today it is definitely BJJ. Fighters from other styles now must incorporate BJJ into their training in order to be able to compete effectively in the octagon.

If you are interested in trying a free class at our Lyndhurst location, call 201 933-5134 for more info.