Will / Machado BJJ Australasia

50 students turn up to try working there way up the difficult path to their BJJ Black belt .

This year saw 2 new BJJ black belts. Stuart Nairne and Andrew Hale.

David Nagel and Glen Hugo Were awarded Brown Belts.
New purple belts included Stu Morton, Rob Hill, Andrew Button, Nick Pudney, Karl King, Troy TeAo and David O’Donnell.

Congrats to the new blue belts -Who took a pounding and all who gain a stripe
Merry Xmas and Happy New year to all the grappler’s out there.

Anthony Lange

I have known Harkan for a very long time. In fact, he was one of the first-starters back when no-one knew what BJJ was, I had just returned from brazil, and began teaching (as a purple belt) in Kensington (Melbourne).
Harkan has always been one of the most solid and dependable students on the mat. His dedication to training, even through some periods of serious injury, has been exceptional. Harkan now teaches classes at Fusion MMA in Melbourne, and I can only hope the students there realize how very fortunate they are in having such an experienced and thoughtful instructor looking after them.
Well done Harkan – your new rank is fully deserved – may you wear it well.
Best wishes always
JBW

Long time student and BJJ Black Belt, Anthony Lange was presented with his 2nd degree this weekend past. Anthony, alongside John Simon and Sean Kirkwood, was the original pioneer of BJJ in N.S.W. Anthony has not only been a driving force for BJJ in Sydney, he has been a role model for countless martial artists and fighters and has produced BJJ Black Belts of his own – further contributing to the growth and development of the art in Australasia. Anthony is simply one of the best coaches in the game.

Congratulations Anthony.

JBW

It was my honour and privilege to once again present the rank of BJJ Black Belt to another long-time friend and student at this years competition. This time the recipient was Jeremy Ta’kody who I met back in Tasmania some 10 or 12 years ago.

Jeremy has always been a passionate and highly creative martial artist, one who brings much to the martial arts community of Victoria. He has worked at Blitz magazine as an editor and now runs his own video production and distribution company. Jeremy is a perfect example of someone whose life is driven by must the right mixture of passion and purpose. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to award him his BJJ Black Belt in the presence of Rigan Machado.

Congratulations Jeremy!

John Will 2009

Steve Stevenson is a friend of mine. A consummate martial artist, a family-man, and now a BJJ Black Belt. I like to say, you don’t get a Black Belt in BJJ, you become a Black Belt. It’s all about the becoming. Steve’s journey, of becoming – began back in Scotland, where he practised Boxing, Muay Thai, JKD, Kali, Judo and Karate. He has been an institution in Perth ever since having made the decision to emigrate to Australia. A thousand-plus people owe him thanks for introducing them to the martial arts in Perth, many of whom have gone on to now have schools of their own.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to have had the opportunity to introduce and guide him into the world of BJJ. Steve makes a talented, thoughtful and inspiring instructor; as any who have spent time with him can attest to. Congratulations Steve ­ more than any, I know you understand that this is just the beginning.

John Will 2009

On my recent seminar loop in New Zealand I had the pleasure of being able to award another Brown Belt. This time it was presented to Scotty Benson, Geoff Aitken’s long time student. Scott is a wonderful person to have on the mat. Whoever he works with benefits from the interaction. Scott ranges up and down the scale, effortlessly adjusting to rank beginner and professional MMA fighter alike. To describe Scott’s nature I was simply say ‘He is the perfect student’! Congratulations Scott – you are so deserved of your new rank. I know you will wear it with ease.
JBW 2008

I had the pleasure of being able to award Sydney’s Rick Spain his brown belt this weekend just past. Rick is a part of Australasia’s martial arts bedrock and has been a powerful and positive force in the community for a long time now. Rick is impressive in many ways, not the least of which is his superlative martial arts skills. But I am most impressed by his willingness to constantly re-invent himself. Rick never sits on his laurels – if which he has quite a swag. The pursuit of excellence, in every facet of his life, is something he holds at the core of his value system.
Congratulations Rick,
your new rank suits you well.
JBW 2008