We now have on staff a Professional Boxer as our boxing training, sever JUDO Black Belts, a BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU Black Belt, a GRECO ROMAN National Champion, A MUAY THAI expert, Several Freestyle WRESTLING College competitors and champions, and a dedicated personal trainer all on staff.
MIAMI WMB TRAINING CENTER recently competed in the June 26th NAGA tournament.
As we got there, some of the bigger schools of course overlooked us. Bad Idea!
First up was MANUEL "SONIC" LOSADA- - after training for just one yr and a half, we decided to enter him in the EXPERT division to see how he would fare. As a blue belt, his is submitting higher ranks and more tenured competitors on a regular basis. Sonic submitted his way to the finals were he would take 1st place and the championship. He showed crazy cardio, above average submissions, and a fiercely competitive attitude that can't be taught.
Next up was DANIEL DEL MONICO who is a bit of an anomaly. This kid had only been training for 7 months at the time and it was his first tournament. As his instrustor, I thought he was above average for his time frame. Then again, all instructors think that they are doing a good job and could sometimes be blinded by their own arrogance. I decided to enter him in the beginner division. After his first match in the beginner division; I quickly realized that he was better than that division and needed a bigger challenge. We bumped him up to the intermediate division to give him a better challenge and stiffer competition. He had some great matches but showed great poise as he submitted all of his opponents to win the division. 1st place!
JONATHAN GIRALDO was also in attendance. Jonathan competed in the intermediate division against several blue belts and purple belts. The most notable match was match number 2 where he transitioned to a very technical Kimura to end the match. One thing about Jon, when he finishes, he FINISHES! Jonathan went all the way to the finals taking second overall.
Just about this time we have now competed in many divisions and I overheard a conversation by a couple coaches behind me. "Man, where is that school in black from?" The other coach replied "It’s some small school from Miami but they always win."
Probably my favorite competitor of the day was NICK "NINJA" CARVALLO. What can I say, he looked like a ninja! Nick entered the men's EXPERT division as a recent blue belt. He was throwing triangles, inverted triangles, sweeps, chokes, arm bars, arm drags, wrestling take downs, judo throws, etc. He was all over the place. Definitely the most technical competitor of the tournament. Nick fought, choked and dominated his way to the finals where he would meet international star Pablo Alfonso. Nick took 2nd to Pablo in a very close match. Congrats to Nick! Congrats to Pablo Alfonso as well who is a great person and even better competitor.
You could see the highlights of this competition on YOUTUBE- -
