The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER introducing the sport to the Bahamas in November, the Jiu-Jitsu Academy will get a big boost this weekend when they host five-time Super Heavyweight world champion Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu.

He is an ADCC Absolute champion, four-time No-Go world champion, Pan American champion and Brazilian national champion. He went to the United States with nothing in his pockets and nowhere to live.

Today, Abreu is regarded as one of the most highly regarded athletes in the sport and one of the most inspirational people anyone would ever want to meet.

Michel Eduardo Giacomotti, one of the organisers of the Jiu-Jitsu Academy, said they are delighted to bring Abreu in town to share his story and also provide some insight on the sport.

"We are an affiliate of Fight Sports, which is based in Miami," Giacomotti said. "During our grand opening on Saturday, we will have Roberto Abreu in town. We welcome anyone who is interested to come out."

Abreu will conduct from 11am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Jiu-Jitsu Academy's facility in the Pineapple Business Park and the AIP is $100.00 per person. However, both sessions are free of charge for anyone who just wants to watch.

"During the seminar, Giacomotti said Abreu will be providing teaching lessons as they finally bring a new sport to the Bahamas," he pointed out. "We have no one better to come and demonstrate than 'Cyborg' himself.

"We will have four black belts on hand this weekend to assist him."

Manny Romeriz, who heads the Jiu-Jitsu Academy, is the black belt. Since the academy got started in November, Giacomotti said they have attracted more than 75 signed up members and with Abreu in town, they anticipate that the numbers will increase. "We haven't done any marketing for the academy as yet," he said. "We will be doing that after the opening. But we are very pleased with the response we have received so far with this new sports in the Bahamas."

At present, training sessions are held daily from 6-7am for beginners. Women's Open BJJ are held on Wednesdaya and Friday from 9:30-10:30 am and there's an afterschool programme from 4-6 pm. The intro to BJJ goes from 6:30-7:30pm.

The academy, however, is open until 9pm.