Some thoughts for the competitors..

You are my adversary, but you are not my enemy.
For your resistance gives me strength.
Your will gives me courage.
You sprit ennobles me.
And though I aim to defeat you,
should I succeed, I will not humiliate you.
Instead, I will honor you.
For without you, I am a lesser man.

Organization and After-Party on Sunday Night

Athletes,

This year we expect to have up to 160 athletes competing, perhaps more. About 130 of these will be white and blue belts so it will be very important that we stay organzed and keep all 3 mats busy all day. We need your help to do this.

This year we will be calling all competitors in a weight/ belt bracket to gather in a specific spot and stay together. We will run each match in the bracket one after the other through the finals.

We will not be calling out on the loudspeaker for individuals to come to one mat or another. If you are not there, you will be considered to have forfeited. So please pay attention when your weight and belt bracket is called and assemble with the other guys in your bracket where we tell you to gather (and do not leave that spot).

On Sunday night at 8pm we will host an after-party at the Woodstock Bar and Grill on the private 3rd floor. The Woodstock has a 60 inch screen where we can project highlights from our competition or watch the 2009 Mundials.

The address is: Woodstock Bar & Grill,44 Soi Thonglor 13, Klongtan, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-715 0202-3. It is very near the Samitivej international Hospital.

http://www.woodstockbkk.com/index.php

The Woodstock has great burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and so on. They will offer us Happy Hour prices on all beer, wine and well drinks.

Please join us.

See you next week!

The Bangkok Crew

Some thoughts as the competition draws nearer...

Fellow athletes,

I am often ask why I train BJJ. Friends, family and colleagues see the bruises and the injuries and the time required on the mat and they just dont understand. We do it for many reasons, some are common to all of us, and some are not. Some of us want to build confidence. Others humility. Some want strength, others speed or flexibility, and some of us want it all. Some want to have beautiful jiu-jitsu flowing out of us, on the mat and in our everyday lives, like some sort of magical positive energy. Some of us just need to test ourselves, old or young, to better understand who we are. You can't get closer to your own limits as when an opponent is cutting off your air or blood and you feel the world leaving your mind.

At the same time, it is all about trust. We have to trust, maybe even love one another, in order to gain what jiu-jitsu has to offer us. Anything short of this misses the mark in my opinion. And, as I have progressed however slowly in this sport, I have also realized you have to give it away to really receive what BJJ has to offer us. Teach, share, learn, watch. Paradoxical but very true.

So as you finish your training and prepare to join us here in Bangkok on the mats for two great days, consider a few things. This is about learning and growing as much as it is about winning. Sure, we all want that beautiful custom made GOLD medal around our necks, but alot of guys and women will be going home winners who dont have one of those precious medals. So keep it positive. Always.

Respect the referrees. They are human and are not perfect. They will do their best. They will make mistakes. Sometimes you will benefit from their mistakes and sometimes you may not. Next time, help us referee and you will learn a new perspective of BJJ.

Respect your opponents and their coaches. They poured hard work, sweat and blood into the mats in order to provide you with a challenge. When you shake their hand to start your match, remember and honor that. And when it is over, show respect and humility, win or lose.

See you there-

MARK

Announcing Amateur MMA Matches!

We plan to have 4 amateur MMA matches following the grappling competition on Sunday afternoon. Last year these fights were a real crowd pleaser with a packed shopping mall full of spectators. We are pleased to announce the first three matches.



Match #1:



Gabriel Huang from Boxer Rebellion IJKD versus Tobia Seifert of Tiger Muay Thai Phuket




Match #2:


Ferasse Tea from Shanghai BJJ versus Ricky Musgrave of Tiger Muay Thai Phuket.




Match #3

Xavier Mahdavian from Boxer Rebellion Thailand versus Min Yoo from Shanghai BJJ



Stay tuned for announcements of the 4th match of this year's competition.



TRAIN HARD





The Bangkok Crew

Tournament Time Schedule

Athletes,

For your planning purposes, below is the draft agenda for our upcoming competition


Weigh-In and Pay Entry Fees

Friday Night September 18th 6-8:30pm. Weigh-In and Pay Entry Feees at Bangkok BJJ Academy on Sukumvit Soi 1. Friday night weigh-ins are Mandatory for White Belts and optional for other belts.

September 18th Friday Night 7:30pm: Referrees Meeting at Elefin Cafe next to Bangkok BJJ.


September 19th Day #1: Gi

Weigh-in and Entry Fees Paid: 7:45am to 9:00am
Rules Meeting: 9:00-9:15am
White Belt matches begin at 9:30am (5 minute matches)
Blue Belts begin at 11:00am (6 minute matches)
Purple and Brown Belts begin at 12:30 (7 and 8 minute matches, respectively)
Black belt matches begin at 1:30pm (10 minute matches)
Absolute Divisions begin at 2:30pm (white, blue, purple, brown, black)
Master's Divisions begin at 3:30pm
Medal Ceremony at 5:00
Competitor Dinner at Elefin Café 7:30pm


Day 2: No-Gi

Weigh-in and Entry Fees Paid: 8:00am to 9:00am
Rules Meeting: 9:00-9:15am
Novice class matches begin at 9:30am
Advanced class matches begin at 11:00am
Elite Class begins at 12:30pm
Absolute divisions (Novice, Advanced and Elite) begin at 1:30pm
Master's class begins at 3:00pm
MMA "Smoker" Matches begins at 4:00pm
Medal Ceremony begins at 5:00pm


TRAIN HARD

The Bangkok Crew

Important Information- Friday Night Weigh-In and Entry Fees

Athletes,

We are expecting more than 160 adult competitors this year and are busy finalizing all the details to make our competition run smoothly. One important issue is the weigh-in. This year we will hold weigh-ins on Friday night September 18th from 6 to 8:30pm at Bangkok BJJ academy on Sukumvit Soi 1.

All white belts must weigh-in and pay their entry fees on Friday night! If you are a white belt and cannot weigh-in during this time, you must notify us by email at thailandbjj@gmail.com We are doing this so white belt brackets can be drawn up on Friday night and white belt matches will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday morning.

All other belts are also permitted to weigh-in on Friday night but it is not mandatory.

If you weigh-in on Saturday morning, please be at the RAMA 3 Mall by 8am. We will accept your cash payment and stamp your hand as "Paid" on the ground floor, and then you will be allowed to go upstairs to weigh-in.

We will soon email the IBJJF rules, ADCC rules and a Guideline for Referees to all competitors who have signed up. Please read them.

More to follow... Stay Tuned.


TRAIN HARD

The Bankok Crew

Only 10 days left to register online!

Athletes,

This year's competition is shaping up to be the largest BJJ and submission grappling competition in East or Southeast Asia ever held outside Japan. We now have 6 black belts registered to compete and may have a few more soon. Our elite No-GI division will feature plenty of international-level talent. We will close the online submission at midnight on September 16th and we will not be accepting walk-up registrations. Please take a minute to sign-up now!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=t1uJbqq_38U9NolgR49_Cvw

This year's rash guards look and fit great and will be free to the first 100 people that registered. Our custom competition T-Shirts are fantastic and will be on sale at the competition venue. Our trophies and medals will once again be the best in the region- something you will be proud to earn and keep.

We will soon post the competition schedule with times for weigh-ins and division start times.

Check this blog frequently.

See you in September

The Bangkok Crew

Some Comments on Competition Kimonos and No-Gi gear

Athletes,

This year's competition will be the biggest ever held in Bangkok. We have competitors coming from many countries and even from other continents. As fellow competitors, we respect the time you spend training and the cost of getting to Bangkok to compete. We also need to present BJJ as a well-organized sport to the public. Therefore, it is important that we try to make the competition as even and fair as possible. One important aspect is the competition kimono (Gi). Since the Gi plays such a key role in our sport, we must all agree to follow the same basic rules. Please read these carefully and plan on following them.

#1. Only regulation BJJ Gis are allowed. Karate, Tae kwon do, Kung Fu and Judo kimonos are not permitted.

#2. Your Gi must be good condition. At the weigh-ins, a referee will inspect your Gi. If it is found to have multiple tears, patches and repairs or is extremely thin from wear and tear such that it is likely to rip or tear during a match, you may not be permitted to compete in that Gi.

#3. Your Gi must fit properly. Your Gi sleeves must reach your wrists when your arms are fully outstretched from your sides. Likewise, your pant cuffs must reach your ankles when standing. we will measure suspected Gis if they appear to not meet regulations.

#4. Your Gi jacket and pants must be only one color. That is, all white, all black, or all blue. No other colors are permitted. Women competitors may wear a pink Gi.

#5. Your belt must be clearly and obviously the color in which you are competing. For example, dirty grey colored belts that cannot be clearly distinguished as being white, blue, purple or black will not be allowed.

#6. The patches on your Gi must not be located on the knees, ankles or lower sleeves. The back, thighs and seat of the pants are the appropriate places for patches. Any patches that are loose of frayed must be removed before competing.

#7. You must weigh-in in the same Gi that you will compete in! If you appear for your first match in a different Gi than the one that you weighed-in with, you may be disqualified.

Finally, for No-Gi submission grappling competition, you must wear a shirt. Bloody or torn shorts will not be permitted. If your shirt becomes bloody or torn during a match, you must appear in your next match in a new, clean shirt (so bring extras).

For more information about the rules, please visit; http://www.ibjjf.org/rules.htm

And http://www.bjj.eu.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=289

TRAIN HARD and See you in September

The Bangkok Crew

Show Me the Money! Announcing Cash Prizes

We are proud to announce that, thanks to our fundraising efforts and sponsors, we will for the first time offer cash prizes to the winners of the Men's Black Belt Gi Absolute division and the Winner of the Men's Elite Absolute No-Gi division.

The Men's combined Black and Brown Belt Absolute Class Gi winner will receive $500 US Dollars in cash and the runner-up will receive $200.

The Men's Elite Absolute No GI winner will receive $300 US Dollars in cash and the runner up will receive $100.

If our registration goes better than we plan, we may be able to increase these amounts at a later date. Stay tuned to this blog. And don't forget we have $100 Budovideo gift certificates for the winners of the Absolute divisions on Gi day and also have several great prizes from Fairtex (gear bags, hoodies) for the Most Technical Fighters and the Fighter with the Most Submissions. Finally, the entry fees for all brown and black belt competitors are free.

Guys, you just can't ask for much more than that!

Good Luck, TRAIN HARD and See you in September!

The Bangkok Crew

Like to Attack Your Opponent's Legs? Read on...

Athletes,

The question of leg attacks on the No GI day of our upcoming competition has been raised. Here are the rules.

For Novice Class: Straight Achilles (Ankle) Locks only

For Advanced: Straight Achilles Locks, Toe Holds, Knee Bars and Muscle Crushes

For Elite Class: Straight Achilles, Toe Holds, Knee Bars, Muscle Crushes and Heel Hooks

TRAIN HARD

The Bangkok Crew

Be one of the Mighty 100- And take home a free custom designed rash guard

Athletes,

This year we have custom designed, fitted, short-sleeve lycra rash guards to give away to the first 100 competitors to sign up. We now have 89 athletes registered including 4 black belts. If you are not one of the first 100, these guards will be available for sale for 350 baht or $10 USD.

Please keep in mind that if you do not fill out the registration spreadsheet completely, you will not be considered registered. In other words, if you don't provide your complete name, age, a working email address, your weight and all other fields, we will delete your entry. Visit the following website to register now.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=t1uJbqq_38U9NolgR49_Cvw

TRAIN HARD and See you in September!

The Bangkok Crew

Older and Tougher than Ever? Enter our Master's Division

This year we will hold a Master's Division for athletes ages 35 and older on both the Gi and No-Gi days. Bring a head of grey hair (or no hair) and your valid ID card with your date of birth on it to be able to enter. This will be an "Absolute" weight class so big and small will be battling it out. We will combine White and Blue Belts into one division and Purple-Brown-Black in a second Master's division. This serious-but-friendly division is always a crowd pleaser. Of course, you can always mix it up with the young toughs in the Adult category as well.

TRAIN HARD and See you in September

The Bangkok Crew

Announcing the 2009 FBT Thailand BJJ and Submission Grappling Open Competition!

Fellow Athletes,

We are very pleased to announce the 2009 FBT Thailand BJJ & Submission Grappling Open competition to be held on September 19 and 20 in Bangkok. Thanks to the generous support of FBT (Visit www.fbtsports.com) and our other sponsors, we are able to offer low entry fees and bring you a larger, top-quality event this year. We anticipate a high standard of competition with athletes representing at least 10 different countries and all belt levels. Thanks to our own Luke Chaya, we can offer a deeply discounted package a deeply discounted package rate for competitors and coaches at the Golden Palace Hotel in Bangkok. We urge you to make your hotel reservations soon at www.goldenpalacehotel.com to take advantage of this special offer.

This year, registration will be available online only and all competitors must submit their applications no later than September 16th. To register, simply click on or cut and paste the web address below into your browser and then carefully enter all of your information on the Google Docs spreadsheet. Your information will be saved automatically and the data will be backed up daily. You will receive a confirmation email usually within 48hours. If you have any questions or problems with the registration, please send an email to; thaibjjregister@gmail.com The first 100 athletes to sign up will receive a custom made short sleeve lycra nylon rash guard made by FBT Sports Thailand!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=t1uJbqq_38U9NolgR49_Cvw


Key Features of Our Competition Include-

* Expansive competition mat space covering more than 240 square meters

* High quality refereeing committed to protecting the safety of competitors

* A real first-aid station staffed by nurses from Samitivej International Hospital

* Absolutely THE BEST presentation-grade medals and trophies in Asia

* First 100 competitors to sign up will receive a custom-made lycra rash guard

* Prizes for Most Technical fighter, Most Submissions and Absolute Champions

* A new line of BJJ/Grappling gear from Southeast Asia will be sponsoring this event

* Custom designed, high-quality T-shirts & more at affordable prices

* Amateur MMA matches on Day 2 (No Gi)

* Entry fees waived for Brown and Black belt competitors

* Separate, private changing areas and clean bathrooms all weekend


TOURNAMENT LOCATION: We will send competitors a map to the location by email
FUTURE MART ATRIUM MALL
295 Rama 3, Rd Bangkorlam
10120 Bangkok Thailand

WEIGHT CLASSES: (same weight classes apply for both gi & no-gi days)
under 60 KG
under 64 KG
under 70 KG
under 80 KG
under 90 KG
under 100 KG
over 100 KG

The TOURNAMENT FEES are: (all fees for brown & black-belts are waived)
2-DAYS (ADULT) - 1500 Thai BAHT
1-DAY (ADULT) - 1000 Thai BAHT

2-DAYS (KIDS) -1000 Thai BAHT
1-DAY (KIDS) - 700 Thai BAHT


Train Hard and See You In September!

The Bangkok Crew