IT'S PROMOTION TIME! With the authorization of Fourth Degree Black Belt, Master Marco Alvan, the Instructors at Team Link Northampton promote our young leaders of tomorrow in our quarterly Stripe Promotions! This is always a great time as our hardworking kids get recognized in the most important display our sport has to offer. a stripe promotion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a recognition of a practitioner's dedication to the art and to improving themselves and their environment. Our Kids Programs are designed to the needs and goals of each student and are separated into two. The younger kids 4-8 years old and even older kinds with any delayed learning/interactions train on Mondays and Wednesdays under Coach Tom Gomes who has been training BJJ over 10 years and half have been spent teaching Kids Classes and Some adult Classes as well. Coach Tom earned his Purple Belt under Master Marco in 2015 and is an IBJJF Gold Medalist. The 8-12 year olds and more advanced younger students train on Tuesday's and Thursdays under Coach Jeileen Alvarez, a renowned martial artist and decorated Champion Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Coach Tom said of the kids promotions, “It’s been amazing to see the improvement of all our students in the 4 to 8 year old Kids BJJ program. They have all been so focused and it really showed during the test. Congratulations to everyone!” Our kids spend time working on learning, listening, practicing technique, playing games with sport-specific modifications, and so much more. The health, discipline, attention to detail, and FUN our kids indulge in are 2nd to none in our area. Coach Jeileen said of the kids promotions, "I love these kids, i take so much pride in watching them grow and overcome obstacles. the amazing part is that I'm not talking about them as bjj practitioners, that improves too, but I'm talking about as people, as contributors to our society that the whole world can be proud of." FREE TRIAL classes are available as well as packages for multiple family members. visit our schedule at www.TeamLinkNoHo.com and book a class! We're waiting!
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TEAM LINK NORTHAMPTON
NEWS
Three hours of driving from Northampton Massachusetts to New York, NY for the annual IBJJF Pan NoGI Championship. This tournament is considered one of the Top 4 IBJJF Tournaments of the calendar year. BJJ Blue Belt and decorated competitor herself, returned to defend her Crown as she was Champion of this tournament in 2018. Suzanne Grubb showed great poise and control in her matches but lost narrowly in them by an advantage and one by referee's decision. Suzanne finished with a Silver Medal in her division and a Bronze in the Open Weight (Absolute) Division. Team Link Northampton BJJ Instructor Gary Alvarez Jr said of her performance, "She is always a pleasure to watch compete. She makes everyone play her game and we're gonna Master coming out the other end with better results. I mean, we're talking about a Woman who has plenty of Gold Medals at Blue belt and even a Bronze at the IBJJF Masters World Championships in Las Vegas. At this point, we are focused on making her the best blue belt and grappler that she can be… she has the will and skill to do it."
Suzanne Grubb is currently the #5 NoGI Master 2 Blue Belt in the World (ibjjf.com). Suzanne has been in the top 5 for almost two years.
Team Link Northampton BJJ Instructor Gary Alvarez Jr. was matched up against 2018 Worlds Bronze Medalist Glauco Lima in the elimination match to go to the Semifinals. The match was a close one and saw some great strategy played by both competitors. with about one minute left in the match and already ahead by one advantage, Gary scored 2 points with an Ouchi Gari takedown. When the fighters hit the ground Coach Gary found himself in a deep triangle which he was able to calmly implement an escape, but not without some tenacity and composure… Oh, and LOTS of drilling. The semi final match was much of the same with a chess game appearing between combatants. in this match, Coach Gary erred on a guard jump that cost him two points. The opponent being ahead on the scoreboard played an intelligent ensuing minutes that saw advantage worthy submission attempts by Coach Gary that included a calf crusher attempt as time expired. Gary Alvarez Jr was able to place 3rd and score a Bronze medal in his division.
These results further solidify our fighters and team as some of the best in the Region and World.
Special gratitude to Nathaniel Garland (multi time IBJJF Gold Medalist) and Sam Colenback (IBJJF Silver Medalist) for making the trip and helping to corner/coach our fighters during the tournament!
Three hours of driving from Northampton Massachusetts to New York, NY for the annual IBJJF Pan NoGI Championship. This tournament is considered one of the Top 4 IBJJF Tournaments of the calendar year. BJJ Blue Belt and decorated competitor herself, returned to defend her Crown as she was Champion of this tournament in 2018. Suzanne Grubb showed great poise and control in her matches but lost narrowly in them by an advantage and one by referee's decision. Suzanne finished with a Silver Medal in her division and a Bronze in the Open Weight (Absolute) Division. Team Link Northampton BJJ Instructor Gary Alvarez Jr said of her performance, "She is always a pleasure to watch compete. She makes everyone play her game and we're gonna Master coming out the other end with better results. I mean, we're talking about a Woman who has plenty of Gold Medals at Blue belt and even a Bronze at the IBJJF Masters World Championships in Las Vegas. At this point, we are focused on making her the best blue belt and grappler that she can be… she has the will and skill to do it." Suzanne Grubb is currently the #5 NoGI Master 2 Blue Belt in the World (ibjjf.com). Suzanne has been in the top 5 for almost two years. Team Link Northampton BJJ Instructor Gary Alvarez Jr. was matched up against 2018 Worlds Bronze Medalist Glauco Lima in the elimination match to go to the Semifinals. The match was a close one and saw some great strategy played by both competitors. with about one minute left in the match and already ahead by one advantage, Gary scored 2 points with an Ouchi Gari takedown. When the fighters hit the ground Coach Gary found himself in a deep triangle which he was able to calmly implement an escape, but not without some tenacity and composure… Oh, and LOTS of drilling. The semi final match was much of the same with a chess game appearing between combatants. in this match, Coach Gary erred on a guard jump that cost him two points. The opponent being ahead on the scoreboard played an intelligent ensuing minutes that saw advantage worth submission attempts by Coach Gary that included a calf crusher attempt as time expired. Gary Alvarez Jr was able to place 3rd and score a Bronze medal in his division. These results further solidify our fighters and team as some of the best in the Region and World. Special gratitude to Nathaniel Garland (multi time IBJJF Gold Medalist) and Sam Colenback (IBJJF Silver Medalist) for making the trip and helping to corner/coach our fighters during the tournament!
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