26 Jun FokaiYouthCombat:MarianasVarietyAndPurebredBJJ
Purebred teaches youth the art of BJJ
While many of the island’s youth will be participating in sports such as soccer and baseball during the summer months, a select few
Ten-year-old Alex Aflague grapples with her peer David Shimizu, also 10, during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the Purebred/Lloyd Irvin BJJ Academy in Hagatna. Photos by Matt Weiss
will be perfecting their skills in the marital art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Many people on island and around the world acknowledge the fact that BJJ might be an adult’s sport, however, more and more children continue to train in the martial art, turned global phenomenon.
The Variety caught up with some youth BJJ practitioners at the Purebred/Lloyd Irvin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Anigua to get their thoughts on BJJ.
“I like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it teaches me many values of life,” 10-year old Alex Aflague said yesterday.
The J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School fifth-grader said that she chooses jiu-jitsu because it is fun.
Aside from sharpening her skills in BJJ, Alfague also likes to play the guitar and is actively involved in the Guam Girl Scouts. “Guitar is like BJJ in many ways because you will only get better after you practice,” Aflague said.
Purebred/ Lloyd Irvin BJJ Academy head instructor Stephen Roberto said of his youth students that “they are the future of the sport. These kids are still very young in age and they still have much to learn.”
“BJJ can be a very demanding sport for some, especially the youth,” Roberto continued. “But as you can see, these kids are always eager to learn more about it.
Another youth BJJ practitioner said that he is training in BJJ so that he can be like his father Steve Shimizu.
Alex Aflague (10 years old) poses for the camera after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the Purebred Lloyd Irvin BJJ Academy in Hagatna.
“I want to be like my dad when I grow up,” David Shimizu said. “He is my hero and he inspires me to to be the best that I can be in BJJ, and whatever I do in life.”
David, a 10-year-old fifth-grader at Harvest Christian Academy said that he like submitting his opponents.
“I like to learn new submissions and then make somebody submit once I fully understand the move.”
He also is an avid football player in the Guam Youth Football League and the Robbie Webber Youth Soccer League.
“I like jiu-jitsu the most because it is basically a self-learned sport,” David explained. “You learn from your coach and you follow in their foot steps; that is why I like it more than any other sport that I play.”
Having a positive outlook on things helps students cope with the strenuous training, explained Roberto.
“They all have positive attitudes when they come to class and I think that is the biggest motivation that they have going for them,” Roberto said. “As they continue in the sport, they will only get better. Who knows, Guam’s next BJJ b
David Shimizu (10 years old) poses for the camera after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the Purebred Lloyd Irvin BJJ Academy in Hagatna.
lack belt or world champion is right here training in this class.”
Aflague said that her ultimate goal in BJJ is to become like the late grandmaster Helio Gracie.
“I want to be like him and one day become a black belt because I know all of my hard work would have all paid off.”
For information on how to enroll a child at the Purebred/Lloyd Irvin BJJ Academy, contact Roberto at 687-1130 or via e-mail at purebred_guam@hotmail.com.
“Jiu-Jitsu is fun and I am sure that if you try it once; you will be hooked on it for the rest of your life,” Shimizu said.