On Friday night our recently promoted Beston-Gracie Blue Belt Nathan White competed in a Mixed Martial Arts bout against Goran Latinovich (Mick Cutajar) in Manly, Sydney.

Despite dominating the action both standing up and on the ground for the duration of the fight, the contest was ruled a draw due to 2 fouls being called against our representative by the referee.

Congrats to Nathan on such a great showing and I couldn't think of a better way to end what has been an amazing year for our whole team.

Once again, thanks to all who played a part in Nathan's preparation for this fight.

Another great day on the mat for our students this past weekend!

Firstly, a huge congratulations to our first world medalist Dave Frendin who competed in the World Pankration Championships. Taking Gold in his division with no one available to compete against him, he then moved up to fight in the 105kg division taking silver there! Well deserved results for one of the toughest and hardest working fighters in Australian MMA.

On the same day, a team of 4 students Kieran, Luke, Shane and Mark competed in the grappling division of the Budo International Sports National Titles. Having no one else to face them in their division, both Luke and Kieran moved up to the open weight “King of the Mat” division. By far the 2 lightest competitors in the field Luke and Kieran won their way through opposite sides of the brackets to share first place. Shane like Luke and Kieran had no one close to his weight at the competition so opted again to move up and compete with the heavies, and fellow team mate Mark. Shane and Mark both showed great Jiu Jitsu and took third place.

Well done to all competitors from me and the rest of your friends and teammates, and thanks as always to everyone who helped in their preparation.

Just a reminder that Angela has brought back from overseas copies of all of Kid Peligro's best selling books on Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and the Gracies In Action DVD series.

Also she now has copies of the new book by Gracie family legend Prof. Carlson Gracie. The book covers Sport BJJ, Submission Grappling (No Gi), and Vale Tudo techniques and is excellent.

Also we have 2 pairs Large Neoprene Kneepads for sale at cost price. These would suit heavyweights, and are designed sprecifically for grappling training.

Although the year is starting to wind down we still have lots of upcoming events before the end of 2004.

This Sunday Dave Frendin who just won gold in the NSW BJJ Federation circuit will be fighting in the World Pankration Championships which this year is being held in Sydney.

Friday 3rd of December Nathan White has a Mixed Martial Arts match as part of a kickboxing event at Manly Leagues Club. For more information go to www.thaiboxing.com.au, and if you're able to go and support Nathan please see him about tickets, or Newcastle students can see me and I'll pass your details to Nathan.

Good luck to all our team members who are fighting or competing in the coming weeks!

Also don't forget the Jason Izaguirre Seminar and Beston Gracie Central XMAS party both on the 18th of December

The Rumble on the Rock event which is fast becoming the number one MMA promotion in the USA was held last weekend in Hawaii.

Prof. Royler Gracie defeated a Japanese Olympian Wrestler quickly submitting him with a triangle in the second round.

In the main event, Prof. Rodrigo Gracie had a war against B.J. Penn with the fight going the distance, and the judges decision to BJ.

BGC Academy Director Angela Gracie with her cousin and martial arts legend Royce Gracie at ROTR
(Photo courtesy of legendary journalist and best selling author Kid Peligro)

Today was the 3rd leg and final tournament of the NSW BJJ Federation State Circuit for 2004.

Beston Gracie Central had 7 competitors as part of the Gracie Team, taking an amazing 2 gold and one silver medal. Once again I was extremely happy and proud of the way all our guys performed, so congrats to Michael, Shane, Pat, Nick, Dion, Adam, and Dave. Thanks also once again to everyone else at our academies who helped the competitors train and prepare.

More great news is that the Gracie Team won the team trophy for the day aswell, so congrats to all the team and especially Prof. Bruno Panno and Prof. Marcelo Rezende the head instructors of the Gracie Team.

Luke, Shane, Paul "Matrat", and Michael

Saturday 18th December we'll be hosting a seminar with Royler Gracie Blackbelt Jason Izaguirre. Jason is the head instructor of Gracie Kailua academy, and you can read more about him at www.GracieKailua.com

That evening we'll be having our christmas party to celebrate a great year for the team and all family and friends are invited. Please let Angela know if you're planning on coming so she has an idea of numbers.

In response to the huge popularity of our Kids class, we've added a second kids class every week on Wednesday from 5:15 to 6:15. Check out the updated timetable on the Academy page.

An amazing performance by some of the central coast academy members!

Fresh off receiving his yellow belt from Bruno and myself Shane Haffenden won his division. Gracie-Panno blue belt Luke "Lucozade" Nutley won his division as did new Blue Belt Nathan White. Luke and Nathan both made it to the finals of the "King of the Mat" (Absolute) division and shared first place which is the common practice of Brasilian schools.

Congratulations again to all and sorry I wasn't there on the day for this one. Very proud!

Angela now has in stock Bruno Panno - Gracie Sydney Tshirts and Rash Guards. Anyone interested in either please talk to Angela.

Today we were lucky to have Prof. Bruno visit our Newcastle academy to share with us the latest guard passing techniques from Brasil. Thanks to all who came.

A big congratulations also to those who received new belts. Nathan White was given his well deserved blue belt. And our first ever coloured belts for kids went to Shane from the Central coast and Michael from Newcastle.

Congratulations once again to these guys from me and all your teammates and friends, and thanks again to Bruno for making the trip up.

More people than just our students visit our website to keep up to date on the goings on of the academies, so I thought this would be a good place to share a great quote from Grandmaster Helio Gracie that Prof. Royler sent Angela.

"Quando você tem mais confiança em você,
você fica automaticamente mais tolerante,
você tem condições de ponderar e colocar o individuo em seu respectivo
lugar sem precisar brigar e isso apavora o frouxo."

- Hélio Gracie

Last Sunday was the 2nd Leg of the NSW Federation Circuit. A very good day in general, and especially for our students. We had 6 students competing as part of the Gracie Team, which was our biggest contribution ever. All guys performed very well, and Bruno was happy with everyone also.

Michael from Newcastle took Silver in his division, and Nathan White from the Central Coast got Silver in his division too, and could have easily been gold as the final was down to a referee’s decision with no points and no advantages scored. Nathan was selected to represent Bruno in the White Belt Absolute division, but there were some problems with the organisation so unfortunately he didn’t get the chance.

I had my first match in 3 years competing in the open weight brown belt division. I lost via submission after scoring early in the match with a half guard sweep. I’m glad to be competing again and thanks to all those who helped us in our preparation for the competition and supported us on the day.

Don’t forget less than 2 weeks until Bruno is up for his next seminar! – see Angela to register

Planet Fitness gym has moved just around the corner next to the Knights Stadium in the old Skateline building. All the mats have now been delivered, a big thanks to Pat for his help with that.

We've set Saturday the 25th of September for a seminar with Prof. Bruno at the Newcastle academy. Following the seminar there will be a get together at our house for anyone who wants to come.

As you all know Bruno has just returned form competing in the World Championships in Brasil and is looking forward to sharing all the latest techniques from Brasil.

Firstly huge congrats to Rebecca who won 3rd place at the IGJJF Championships in Los Angeles. This was in a combined white/blue belt division, under IGJJF rules which have a 30 minute time limit. Well done Rebecca. Rebecca is staying on in LA train at the Gracie Academy in Torrance.

Darius just returned from a world tour training Aikido and included a training stint at the Renzo Gracie academy in New York. Welcome home Darius.

I also got an email update from Dave who has been training Jiu Jitsu with a couple of black belts in California also and having fun.

Angela just received a new shipment of Jiu Jitsu products on the weekend.

She now has stock of all 6 Gracie/Peligro Books again.

Also White Royler Gracie t-shirts in all sizes.

She is also now selling 2 new DVD's - "Gracies in Action" Volumes 1 & 2.

Gracies in Action 1: See Grand Master Helio Gracie’s historical battles against Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champions Kato and Kimura, which took place in the 1950’s and the 1975 Team Gracie vs. Team Karate challenge, on tile floors, where Rorion, Relson, and the legendary Rolls Gracie were pitted against various karate black belts. Plus, Rorion in the first publicized NHB match in the US, where he fights a world-renowned Kickboxing champion, who asked to keep his identity unknown. It also includes many fights of Gracie Jiu-Jistu students as well as the grueling match between Rickson Gracie and the feared brawler "King Zulu". Bonus Footage includes: The unedited footage of Helio Gracie's classic match with Kato. Also, see what is like a day with Helio Gracie at his ranch in Brazil. Plus, and the young gun Ralek Gracie in his first real fight!

Gracies in Action 2: This DVD documents many fights which occurred in the years just prior to Rorion’s creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Including Royce Gracie's first fight with Jason De Lucia (The second match was in UFC II) and the Hapkido master who fights Rorion can’t seem to understand why he keeps getting choked out. You will also see Royler and Royce Gracie compete in black belt judo competitions and prove repeatedly that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport. Also included are some of Rickson's fights, one against a Russian which took place at the Gracie Academy and the other is the classic fight of his, on the beach in Rio de Janeiro. Bonus Footage: Ryron and Rener of the new generation of Gracie’s, competing in incredible matches against some of today’s best grapplers: "King of the Cage” champion Joe Stevenson, Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Cassio Werneck, Todd Margolis and much more…

Anyone who is interested in any of the above please see Angela at the academy

I have uploaded a scan of another one of my articles that was published in BUJUTSU INTERNATIONAL Magazine.

On the Gallery page of our website you can see my interviews with Ryron Gracie.

Thanks to Grant at Bujutsu.

Mastiff-cross "Roxy" (Pronounced "Hoxy") is now patrolling the grounds of the Beston-Gracie residence alongside "Kayo" (Pronounced "Kyle").

Below are some photos of R.I.A. (Roxy in Action)

As promised, I have uploaded scans of my articles that have been published in BLITZ Magazine.

On the Gallery page of our website you can see my interviews with Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, and Kid Peligro.

Last week I interviewed Angela's cousin and BJJ Legend Rigan Machado.

The interview will be featured in a future edition of BLITZ Magazine.

Last weekend Rod Eadie won his fight by submission to become State Pankration Champion. Congratulations Rod from all your teammates.

The Nationals will be held later this year. For anyone interested in competing please see Angela she has all the details.