BTT Boston Graduation and Newest Black Belt

Brazilian Top Team Boston held it’s semi-annual belt ceremony on December 4 and 5 of 2013. The ceremony was a complete success!

Professors Joao Amaral, Daniel Gazoni, and Bruno Amaral promoted over fifty students. Many students received stripes and others received their new belts.

We were also honored to promote Gild Gomes to the rank of black belt. Gild has been a dedicated student for many years and we are all proud to have him part of our family.

Another important accomplishment that evening was Vinny Souza receiving his first degree of black belt.

This was a truly spectacular night and we want to congratulate everyone on their accomplishments.

BTT Boston’s End of Year Celebration

To close this great year of 2013 our BTT Boston’s family will be united on Saturday, December 7.

We will celebrate the End of Year Party at the Petit Robert Central Bistro, bring friends and family to this happy celebration.

Purchase your tickets, that includes buffet and 1 drink, at the front desk . The Petit Robert Central Bistro is located at 101 Arch Street, Boston, MA.

Don’t forget the last Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Promotions of the 2013 will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 7pm and Thursday, December 5th at 12pm.

Service:

Brazilian Top Team Boston End of Year Celebration

When: Saturday December 7th

Time: 7pm

Cost: $20 (includes buffet and 1 drink)

Where: Petit Robert Central Bistro

101 Arch Street,

Boston, MA

BTT Boston End of Year Belt Ceremony

The BTT Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu End of Year Belt Ceremony of the 2013 will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 7pm and Thursday, December 5th at 12pm.

That’s your chance to get stripes or belt and to see your evolution. If you can’t make it, please let your instructor know.

For this last Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Ceremony of the 2013 Prof. Daniel Gazoni and Prof. João Amaral will be helping conduct the annual belt promotion

The ceremony fee is $30, the event will be held at the Combined Martial Arts Academy in Everett, home the Brazilian Top Team.

BTT shines at the World No Gi Championships

This past weekend, the World No Gi Championships were held in Long Beach California.

Jose Hermoza brought home a second place medal after some tough matches in his category of purple belt, master, light featherweight. This is the biggest no gi event of the year and all of his hard work and dedication paid off.

Good job Jose and congratulations!

We also want to congratulate all of the other BTT warriors that went out there and fought their hearts out.

We had over 40 athletes competing this weekend and many brought home medals.

Congratulations to everyone!!!

BTT Boston at the Abu Dhabi Trials and The Good Fight

Awesome weekend of jiu-jitsu for BTT Boston! Congratutalions to all competitors.

Thayse Soares and Renan Borges competed on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials in New York. Both had hard fights and fought very well.

BTT Affiliate, Team Woo had excellent results at the Good Fight New England tournament on Saturday.

  • Jon Paul – 3rd Place Blue Belt Gi
  • Christine Brothwell – 1st Place Women’s Blue Belt Gi and 3rd Place Open Class
  • Krys Kenney – 2nd Place White Belt Gi and 2nd Place Open Class

BTT Boston at 2013 NAGA Boston Grappling Championship No-Gi & Gi tournament

On Saturday, October 5, 2013, may our dedicated BTT warriors competed at the NAGA Boston Grappling Championship No-Gi & Gi tournament.

They all fought extremely well and many brought home medals. Congratulations!!!

The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) is the world’s largest mixed grappling tournament circuit with over 175,000 competitors worldwide.

In the kids divisions – NAGA Boston Grappling Championship:

Derek Boharian – 3rd Place Gi

Nicky Patenaude – 2nd Place Gi

John Baumann – 2nd Place Gi

Gavin Cassen – 2nd Place Gi

Aaron Noj – 2nd Place Gi

Cody Hanley – 1st Place Gi

Nathan Hayward – 1st Place Gi

Max Tsekrekas – 1st Place Gi

In the adults divisions – NAGA Boston Grappling Championship:

Brittney O’Brien – 2nd Place No Gi

Christine Brothwell – 1st Place No Gi and 3rd Place Gi

Rich Bilodeau – 1st Place Teen

Douglas Teixeira – 1st Place Gi

Rafael Ribeiro – 2nd Place Gi

Ricardo Soto – 2nd Place Gi

Michel Souza

Dawson Daminelli

BTT Boston representing at the PAN-American NO-GI Championship

Two of our students competed at the Pan-American No-Gi Championships on Saturday September 28, 2013 held at City College in New York. They both fought very well and had great results!

Dawson Daminelli got third place in the purple belt, senior, light weight division and third place in the absolute. Jose Hermoza got first place in the purple belt, master, light feather weight division and third place in the absolute.

Congratulations to you both!

All your hard work on and off the mats continue to pay off.

BTT takes 1st place at 2013 Boston Summer International Open

Saturday, august 24th ,the UMASS Athletics hosted for the third year the IBJJF Boston Summer Open. Brazilian Top Team Competition Team had a incredible performance getting the first place overall with more than 50 points than the second place.

BTT Team conquered 17 gold medals , 11 silver and 12 bronze and the highlight of the whole team was the black belt Renan Borges who got the first place with an spectacular choke.

Thanks to all coaches that were present cornering: Daniel Gazoni, Fábio Holanda, Renan Borges, Bruno Amaral and Brian Caldwell.
Congrats to all ! BTT4ever !

Full results below and video from Renan’s match !
Congrats to all ! BTT4ever !

BTT complete result at the 2013 Boston Summer International Open

WHITE / Adult / Male / Feather
Second – Bruno Ailva

WHITE / Adult / Male / Light
First – Luc Audet

WHITE / Adult / Male / Middle
First – Dave Massicotte

WHITE / Adult / Male / Super Heavy
First – Christian Guzman

WHITE / Adult / Female / Light Feather
First – Laila Laaroussi

WHITE / Adult / Female / Feather
Third – Charlotte Ardini

WHITE / Master / Male / Middle
Second – Sean Seaberg

WHITE / Master / Male / Super Heavy
Second – Shane Smith

WHITE / Senior 1 / Male / Light
Second – Wissam Kfoury

BLUE / Adult / Male / Light Feather
Second – Hudson Pinto

BLUE / Adult / Male / Super Heavy
Third – Roberto Amaral

BLUE / Adult / Male / Ultra Heavy
First – Phillip Kelly

BLUE / Adult / Female / Light
First – Terrie Schauer

BLUE / Adult / Female / Heavy
First – Jacynthe Maloney
Third – Ariel Axelrod-Hahn

BLUE / Adult / Female / Open Class
First – Jacynthe Maloney

BLUE / Master / Male / Medium Heavy
Third – Stéphane Groleau

BLUE / Master / Male / Ultra Heavy
Second – Jeremy Miller

BLUE / Senior 1 / Male / Middle
Second – Steve Soares

BLUE / Senior 1 / Male / Super Heavy
Third – Pedro O. Gonzalez

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Medium Heavy
Third – Terence DeToy

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Super Heavy
Second – Carl Fagnant

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Heavy
First – Siprachanh Phatsana

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Open Class
Second – Siprachanh Phatsana

PURPLE / Master / Male / Light Feather
First – Jose Hermoza

PURPLE / Master / Male / Open Class
Third – Jose Hermoza

PURPLE / Senior 2 / Male / Light
First – Dawson Daminelli

PURPLE / Senior 2 / Male / Middle
Third – Eric Fowke

PURPLE / Senior 2 / Male / Ultra Heavy
First – Victor I. Bazzani

PURPLE / Senior 2 / Male / Open Class
Second – Dawson Daminelli
Third – Victor I. Bazzani

BROWN / Adult / Male / Light Feather
Third – Frederic Koomsatira

BROWN / Adult / Male / Light
Third – Carlos E. Fernandes

BROWN / Adult / Female / Middle
First – Nathalia Abrahao Azoff

BROWN / Adult / Female / Open Class
First – Nathalia Abrahao Azoff

BROWN / Master / Male / Light
First – Johnny Zemouli

BROWN / Master / Male / Middle
First – Luciano Chris Ucci

BLACK / Adult / Male / Light
First – Renan Borges

BLACK / Master / Male / Medium Heavy
First – Omar Sabha

BLACK / Master / Male / Heavy
Second – Brian Wade Caldwell

BLACK / Master / Male / Open Class
Third – Brian Wade Caldwell
Third – Omar Sabha

Renan Borges vs Francisco Iturralde – Black Belt Adult Light 2013 Boston Summer International Open

BTT Hosts the first ever Women’s Judo Seminar

This past Saturday, July 21st, BTT hosted its first ever Women’s Judo Seminar taught by Christina Salmond of I’m With Moxie and Baltimore Judo Club!

#1 Ranked National Master Athlete F1 78kg (2011, 2012) // Nationally ranked among the top five in the Senior Elite Female +78kg division (2010-2012).

She went over some very important take down details along with various drills that can be applied to both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu.

Thank you Christina for the seminar!

Christina Salmond Women’s Seminar and Open Mat

Join the Boston Women’s Open Mat for our first women’s grappling seminar, featuring Christina Salmond of “I’m With Moxie” and Baltimore Judo Club!

#1 Ranked National Master Athlete F1 78kg (2011, 2012);
Nationally ranked among the top five in the Senior Elite Female +78kg division (2010-2012)

Sunday July 21st
Seminar from 10am – 12pm $35 paid at the door
Open Mat (open to everyone – men and women) from 12pm to 2pm $free

BTT Boston Summer Belt Promotion

BTT Boston held its summer belt promotion on July 15th 2013 and would like to congratulate everyone that participated and earned new stripes and belts.

We would also like to congratulate John Kourafalos in receiving his black belt. He has been training hard for over ten years and his patience and dedication has earned him this very special rank.

Also, Bruno Amaral received his first degree on his black belt.

Congratulations!!!

BTT Boston Representing at the IBJJF NY Summer Open

Congrats to all who went to NY and represented Brazilian Top Team on the weekend of July 13!

Jose Hermoza got 3rd place is his purple belt division, in the black belt divisions Renan Borges took silver while Brian Wade Caldwell got double gold !!

Great job guys!!

BTT Boston at the AFO

The American Fighting Organization (AFO) had another edition on saturday, June 29th at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro, Massachussettes.

Representing Brazilian Top Team Boston, purple belt José Salazar made his AFO debut at 145lbs.

José dominated his opponent taking him down many times and after a 3 rounds won via unanimous decision.

Great job by José Salazar and all the coaches at BTT Boston! Great cornering by Nick Drummond !

BTT at Naga CT

JJ Purifory competed at the NAGA Hartford tournament on June 29th and placed second in his division.
Congratulations JJ!

BTT Boston Summer BBQ

On June 29th BTT Boston had its annual summer BBQ.

This year is was graciously hosted by Lis Marques and Maria Yanakakis.

It was a fun day where we were all able to hang out off the mats.

Thank you to everyone for coming and we look forward to the next one!

Aniss Hajjajy Wins Desert Force MMA World Championship

Brazilian Top Team Boston Aniss Hajjajy won the title at 170lbs. This was Aniss second fight at Desert Force and Professors João Amaral and Daniel Gazoni flew to Jordan to coach.

Facing the dangerous egyptian Amr Wahmann, Aniss fought very smart and after a kick, took the opponent down and quickly got Amr’s back working the punches until the ref stopped the fight.

Hard work, dedication and a commitment to a strict training regiment paid off for Aniss Hajjajy

A new Desert Force Welterweight was born!

Desert Force is a dominant Middle East Professional MMA brand that brings the best talent in the region competing against each other to become champions. It was first launched back in 2010 in Amman, Jordan.

In 2011, Desert Force launched the “Elimination Series”, a single-elimination tournament for Arabs MMA fighters competing to become the first regional MMA title holders in 5 weight classes. Participants countries included: KSA , Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Congratulations Aniss!!!

Watch Aniss Hajjajy’s victory at the Desert Force

Great Results at the World Championships in California

Congratulations to everyone from BTT that participated in the World Championships that was held in Long Beach, California the first weekend on June.

This is the biggest tournament of the year and regardless of the result, just stepping on those mats and competing is a great accomplishment.

Our local talent that competed was Bruno Amaral, Nathalia Azoff, Ariel Axelrod-Hahn, Aniss Hajjajy, and Renan Borges.

They all fought very well and Nathalia and Ariel were able to bring home third place medals back home.

Nathalia Azoff wins at the PanAmerican Championship

On March 24th, three athletes from BTT Boston represented at the PanAms in California;

Nathalia Azoff, Bruno Amaral, and JJ Purifory.

They all fought very well and we are proud of them.

Nathalia Azoff won in her brown belt division. She had some tough matches and all her hard work and dedication paid off on the mats.

Great Job!

Brazilian Top Team Competition Team at the Boston Winter Open 2013

For the first time the IBJJF hosted a championship in Boston during the winter.

The 2013 Boston Winter Open was a success , held at the UMASS on sunday march 3rd had hundreds of competitors fighting from 9:00am to 9:0pm.

Brazilian Top Team Competition Team had a good performance overall, several medals and lots of experience for further competitions.

Congrats everyone, including those who didn’t compete but helped our teammates!

Special thanks to our coaches, Prof. Daniel Gazoni and Prof. Joao Amaral!

BTT Boston Team at 2013 World Pro Trials Montreal

Prof. Fábio Holanda (

BTT Canada

) hosted the trials for the 2013 World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship this past weekend in Montreal, Canada.

Once again, the event was a great success, held at the prestigious Pierre Charboneau center in Montreal. From all across North America, hundreds of competitors representing almost 30 teams, from three countries fought to win an all expenses paid trip to the world championship main event at Abu Dhabi in April 2013.

Brazilian Top Team Boston’S athletes Roberto Cezar, Aniss and Renan Borges helped Brazilian Top Team finish in first with almost the double the points of the second place.

Roberto won his division while Aniss Al Hajjajy took 3rd with Renan Borges earning the silver medal in a very close match, in their division.

The year is just starting and the BTT Competition Team is growing stronger.

The World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship

Last year’s world championships, saw some of the best in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu compete in the United Arab Emirates for the world title. In the end, Claudio Calasans reigned the absolute champion!

With qualifiers worldwide, the tournament seeks to determine who the true best in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are.

The World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship is considered to be one of the most prestigious Jiu-jitsu competitions in the world.