One of the biggest reasons for me staying here in Shenzhen, besides my job, is the excellent level of martial arts training I’m lucky enough to get at Invincible Fight Gym. I train Jiu Jitsu at least four evenings a week (sometimes up to six). I wish I’d found it sooner, even as a child, not that it was a very popular or well known sport when I was a younger man. For the most part, this is because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches more than self defense and physical control and ability. The art imparts respect, gratitude and honour as well as tenacity, spirit and a sense of being part of a team. It’s because of these fundamental characteristics that I was keen to introduce Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the students of Merchiston International School.
Invincible Fight Gym trains and teaches many different martial arts to people of different cultures and different ages and so I booked the demonstration with Coach Guilherme, a GFTeam Black Belt from Brazil, who runs the Kids BJJ classes in both gyms: Chegongmiao and Shekou. I’ve been lucky enough to sit in on some of the classes while waiting for my own classes to start and I’ve seen the relationship Coach Gui fosters with the children he teaches. I was excited to have him introduce the art to our students.
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and began the session with a traditional line up, bow and “Oss” (a phrase commonly used in Jiu Jitsu to signify anything positive from yes to thank you or simply OK). Coach Gui went on to explain how the session would play out: starting with a simple warm up; some useful techniques for controlling your body; and finally, a sparring showcase.
Having limbered up with some movement and stretching exercises, Coach Gui and his assistant (Blue Belt Leo) took the students through some of the most practical elements of BJJ; the break fall and the technical get-up. The basic idea being that, when you’re taken down, you fall in such a way (to your bottom and spreading out your arms to the side) where you protect your elbows, back, neck and head. The students were able to practise this with some very mixed (and sometimes hilarious) results. Leading on from this was the technical get-up, where, having been taken down, you’re able to get up in a stable and safe way, ready to continue to engage. Again, mixed results were had but both coaches were extremely encouraging and spent time with each student, improving their technique. Finally, it was time to put this new learning to the test and Coach Gui gave every student the opportunity to practise what they had learnt on him.
As the hour drew to a close, Coach Gui and his assistant, Leo, demonstrated an exhilarating sparring masterclass with flying arm bars, triangles and RNCs galore, much to the excitement of the onlooking students. Before closing the session and showing respect to one another with a line up, handshake and final OSS, Coach Gui challenged the students to a game, whereby all 17 of them were to try and take him down at the same time. I’m pretty sure he let the last student win!
I’d personally like to thank Invincible and the team, particularly Coaches Guilherme and Leo, as well as Mr Bartok and Mr Simon who gave up their precious Saturday morning. I hope the students enjoyed it too and would consider signing up in the future.
署名：Michael James