Jamaica '08 Training Pics

SMALL AXE JIU JITSU TRAINING PICS

(MAY AND SEPTEMBER '08)

(Beautiful North Shore of Jamica)

(Placid waters, clear sky, and warm breezes make for good training)

(This is the view from Chris' Home!)

(During our private/semi-private classes, this was our view!)

(In May, I worked some top dominance details for Chris and Terry T-Bone)

(Chris and I training during a private class)

(Kimura attack)

(Terry observes the training)

(Semi-private class drew in observers)

(Watch out for up-kicks!)

(Dan Wiggins, Tim Sledd, Chris McDonald, and Cleon)

(Tim Sledd, Chris McDonald, Dan Wiggins... shortly before Scotchy's)

(Sifu Dwayne Gail, Chris, Tim, and Dan after a full seminar)

(Chris clowning but showing he was ready to be the champ!)

(Chris and Tim)

( Chris and Dan. Chris was a gracious host for Dan on each trip and even put me up for the September visit!)

(Chris is growing more and more comfortable with the ground game!)

2008 was a great year for building the relationships of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu in America with the team growing in Jamaica. There is only more and better things to come from this! Keep your eyes open

-Tim

Promotions and Pics '08

Hoosier Open Competitors

2008 Hoosie Open Small Axe Competitors L to R: Walter, Bryan Neal (1st Place), Justin (Second Place), Tim Sledd (Third Place), Doug Bailey, Dan Wiggins, Mike (Third Place), Lain Stocke (Second Place), Tyler Stocke (1st Place)

February 2008 Promotions!!!

Today, 2/23/08 was a great day for Small Axe Jiu Jitsu!

Today, Professor Caique promoted 4 guys to blue belt. Dan Wiggins, Josh Britt, Jeremiah Deckard, and David Yoshida made the leap out of their white belts and into the scary realm of Faixa Azul (blue belt). Each of these guys has trained hard, focused on the criteria, proven leadership ability, and deserved this for several months. I am very proud of them and it brings me great joy to see them wearing the blue belt.

(Dan Wiggins = Blue Belt!)

(Jeremiah Deckard = Blue Belt!)

(David "High-speed" Yoshida = Blue Belt!)

(Josh Britt = Blue Belt!)

My purple belt days are behind me now too! I was promoted to Brown Belt (faixa marrom). I was explaining to someone the other day that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt ranking and progression is similar to climbing a ladder to a diving board. White to blue, blue to purple, and purple to brown are steps up the ladder. Once you are a brown belt you are standing on the diving board. It is probably the most fun place because your skills are sharp but the expectations are not that of a black belt. However, a brown belt must be in true preparation because once he leaves the board, he jumps into a pool of black belts. The pool will have not only this new born black, but master black belts... exciting but the measuring stick changes from one of a few peers to the truly elite.

So, I take one step off the ladder and onto the board. I promise myself that I will enjoy this belt, savor the process of developing into a BJJ teacher, practitioner and competitor worthy of attaining the ability and permission to dive from this platform. I can comfortably say that I have some years of tough work ahead of me before that is a real possiblity, and as I sit here writing this, it is safe to say I am fine with that!

Even though I am color blind, I had to make sure it was brown!

Professor Caique, Me, Greg Lucas

I was going to try and thank those responsible for helping me attain this belt promotion. Then I realized that it was '98 when I first put on a Jiu Jitsu uniform and every roll has counted. So rather than list and miss all those people, I will just say thanks. Those that invested sweat, blood, beatings, and time in and on me will know who they are and the gratitude I have for their help.

-Tim

Small Axe Jiu Jitsu Fall Class '07 Pics

2007 was a great year for the growth of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu at Gentry Martial Arts. Below is some of the group after a fun class of training. Fortunately for us, we are getting some younger guys in here that are eager to learn... this means more fun to come.

(Front Row: Lane Stocke, Colin Dodge, Joe Wiggins, Jeremiah Deckard, Mike Dodge, Jared. Back Row: Brandon Sieg, Yoshida, Matt Engle, Bill Ward, Doug Bailey, Dan Wiggins, Josh Britt, Vince (DPU), ??, ??(DPU), Tim Sledd.

EGO Fall '07 Competitors (Front: Tim Sledd, Lane 'Short-Bus' Stocke, David 'High-Speed' Yoshida, Brandon Sieg, Back: Doug Bailey, Josh Britt, Dan Wiggins, Mike Dodge, Bill Ward)

MICHIGAN OPEN PICS:

Standing Pass attempt (Tim Sledd On Top)

Working the Open Guard

(Lain Stocke 1st place! between Tim Sledd and Professor Caique)