Lyndhurst Football Coach Earns Jiu Jitsu Certification

Carlos Dorjo, a Lyndhurst football coach, earned his jiu jitsu teaching certificate last night.

Dorjo, who coaches the offensive and defensive line for the Lyndhurst high freshmen football team, earned the certification at the Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Academy, located in Lyndhurst on Park Ave.

Dorjo is only the 4th student in the 10 year history of the Academy to earn this certification, which takes up to a year to earn.

Dorjo sets a great example for his players and the students he teaches at the Savarese Academy. Dorjo teaches at 7am classes there.

Four years ago, Dorjo suffered a great setback not only in his BJJ training, but in life. Dorjo tore his ACL and while rehabbing his injury, he tripped and ruptured his patella tendon, making it impossible to rehab the ACL injury.

He missed almost 3 years of training, and had much difficulties at work because he couldn’t walk. His knee looked like a cantaloupe at times. The athlete in Carlos told him to never give up, something he preaches in his teachings every day.

Like the great Michael Jordan once said “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out a way to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” That has been the theme of Dorjo’s return to the mats at the Savarese Academy, where he also works as the school’s program director.

Dorjo is overcoming another obstacle by competing at the New Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (NJBJJF) tournament in August in Homdel, NJ. It will be his first tournament in almost five years.

Dorjo was an excellent competitor before his injury, last winning the Grapplers Challenge in Red Bank NJ in 2011. There he won all of his matches by submission.

Anyone who wants info about the Savarese Academy or is interested in trying a free class, call 201 933-5134 for more info.