The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Michel Eduardo Giacomotti and Janvier Chalopin decided to establish the Jiu-Jitsu Academy in the Bahamas, they knew that they could use a world famous competitor to inspire the local competitors.

After starting the academy in November, the official opening took place over the weekend and five-time Super Heavyweight champion Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu came to town to lend his support to the organizers.

"It's unbelievable. This place is just magical," said Abreu as he participated in a two-day training session over the weekend at the academy in the Pineapple Business Park and the AIP.

"Since we got here, we got nothing but an amazing experience. Everybody was super welcoming me and my team. Beautiful people on the island, the nature here is just second to none. I've traveled the world and I have been very impressed with everything that the Bahamas has to offer."

Abreu, regarded as one of thew most highly respected athlete in the sport, said he's definitely looking at bringing Jiu-Hitsu competition to the Bahamas.

"I can't wait to see what the future holds the academy and the sport here in the Bahamas," said Abreu, an ADCC Absolute champion, four-time No-Go world champion, Pan American champion and Brazilian national champion.

A resident of Miami, Florida, Abreu said he like wehat he saw in the potential of the competitors here and they were so open to learn the technique that he is confident that the sport will take over the island with more schools opened up.

"The Bahamas is only about 40 minutes away by plane, which is amazing," Abreu said. "Students from the Bahamas can always come to Miami and vice versa. Most of my guys in Miami would sure like to come here and they would also welcome the Bahamas athletes to Miami," he said.

"I travel a lot myself because of my busy schedule, but for sure anytime that I have an opening, I will fly down here and continue to monitor the Bahamas family and the beautiful nature that you have here."

On Saturday, Abreu presented Giacomotti with his purple belt, promoting him from blue belt. Abreu said it was something that he earned, having spent a lot of time in Miami training at their facility.

While the purple belt is the second adult rank in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the purple belt is the intermediate adult ranking and is just behind the brown belt and two spots behind the black belt.

"Mike is a great guy. He is one of our great students. I know he have great plans for the sport here in the Bahamas and he's dedicated himself to Jiu-Jitsu and especially to this new development here in the Bahamas," Abreu said.

"I'm super, super proud of him. He's someone who gives a lot. I know when I started Jiu-Hitsu, I started as a purple belt in my hometown in Brazil and I got to move up. I know that Mike will eventually move up and hopefully he can become a great fighter for the Bahamas."

Giacomotti said he's just thrilled to have gotten the promotion from Abreu in front of his peers.

"I wasn't expecting the purple belt for at least another year. It's been a long journey with the blue belt, but I still felt I had a long journey to go," Giacomotti said.

"I'm very emotional. I'm very happy. It's a very special day for me. This is just going to make me work harder."

While he's spent a lot of time traveling around the world opening up Jiu-Jitsu schools, Abreu said he just want to inspire people to live the dream and become a part of the growing sport.

"The turnout was amazing. It was more than what I expected," Giacomotti said. "I am happy to have Cyborg in town and for everyone who showed up.

"This is just the beginning and we have a lot more to accomplish, but we are excited to keep promoting, keep introducing and showing the sport to the Bahamas. I think it will bring a lot of good to the youth in the Bahamas."

Chalopin when he his banking partner Giacomotti decided to venture into the promotion of the sport, they knew that they had stumbled onto something great.

"We went into all of the local gyms and we shared the knowledge and tried to get more people to come out and join us," Chalopin said. "As we continued to push the sport, we got more people to out and three months later, the academy is flourishing.

"We started with about 15 guys and now we have more than 30. People, who have come from the various gyms, are still here and we are so proud of the difference that we have met in the sport. It's gone way faster than we expected. I'm glad that we brought it to the Bahamas."

Allaya Hagigal, now in her second month, decided to join the sport because of the exercise as well as learning to defend herself because of her petite size.

"I'm just glad that I am here because I was able to learn so much from him," said Hagigal, one of the two females who participated in the clinic conducted by Abreu. "I think he will motivate us as we continue to perform in the sport."

Hagigal, a 19-year-old teacher, model and co radio talk show host, is hoping that some of the skills she learn in the sport will help her to improve her performance as a rugby player as well.

Also on hand was George Brennen, the chief instructor of Shindo Jinen Karate or Perfect Balance Martial Arts. He said he wanted to support the organizers and he was quite impressed with what he saw.

"I think it's very good. Cyborg is a very experienced guy and he brought a lot of knowledge to the sport here," Brennen said. "I wished there were more Jiu-Jitsu competitors here so that they can learn from him. Hopefully he can come back and make a contribution in the future."