The Birth of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu

Triangle Choke Escapes:


Head Arm Triangle Escapes:


Dan Competes and gets a tap at the Michigan Open '08:




A couple No-Gi Vids for Chris McDonald in Jamaica





Video of My Hoosier Open Match







Video of My Michigan Open Match (I was still a purple belt but fought up in the brown belt division)



2007 was an interesting year in my jiu jitsu life. First, I spent considerable time pontificating over my philosophy of jiu jitsu. I have for sometime felt the lyric of Small Axe (a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers) fit my perception of what a strong founation in BJJ needed. Well, I finally committed to honing this analogy. Small Axe Jiu Jitsu was born.

Technique: (Americana from Modified Cross-Side)



Along with this birth was my maiden voyage to Jamaica to share Jiu Jitsu with the great island. Sifu Dwayne Gail generously hosted me at his kung fu school where I taught two days of class. The students were eager and hungry for knowledge. I planted seeds I plan to nurture for years to come.

Video Technique 2: (Reverse Arm Bar from Modified Cross-Side)



I was able to teach a private lesson to a Rastafarian wood carver on a secluded beach (I am sure this memory will flash before my eyes at the end of my life voyage).

Video Technique 3: (Head-arm triangle)



2007 was not such a great year for me regarding competitions. Well, let me explain; it was a great year for my students, but for me personally, my performances were lack luster. I can give dozens of reasons and excuses, but what matters is that my goal of remaining an active competitor remains in tact.

Thanks to God for a great 2007.

Grappling Resume

Tim Sledd

tsledd@gmail.com

Competition History:

Brown Belt

• 2008 Hoosier Open Brown Belt Open 3rd Place (Tied with Brandon Fracassi)
• 2007 Michigan Open Brown Belt Open 1st Place (still a purple belt)

Purple Belt

• 2007 Extreme Grappling Open Fall Purple Belt Middle Weight

• 2007 Extreme Grappling Open Fall Expert Master's Open No-gi 3rd Place

• 2007 Extreme Grappling Open Purple Belt Light Weight

• 2007 Extreme Grappling Open Expert No-gi

• 2006 Michigan Open (Adult Middleweight Purple Belt) 2^nd Place

• 2006 Hoosier Open (Adult Middleweight Purple Belt)

• 2006 Bluegrass Open Purple Belt Heavy Weight 2^nd Place

• 2006 Bluegrass Open Purple Belt Absolute division 2^nd Place

• 2005 C3 Fighter (December) Purple Belt Lightweight 3^rd Place

• 2005 C3 Fighter (December) Advance No-Gi Lightweight 1^st Place

• 2005 C3 Fighter (December) Advanced No-Gi Absolute 2^nd Place

• 2005 Extreme Grappling Open Purple Belt Middle Weight 2^nd Place

• 2005 Music City Grappling Championship Purple Belt 1^st Place

• 2005 Music City Grappling Championship Purple/Brown Open 3^rd Place

• 2005 Hoosier Open (Adult Middleweight Purple Belt)

• 2005 C3 Fighter (Adult Middleweight Purple Belt) 3^rd Place

• 2005 C3 Fighter (Adult Open Weight Purple Belt) 2^nd Place

Blue Belt

• 2004 Indiana State BJJ Championships 1^st Place.

• 2004 Extreme Grappling Open, 2^nd Place.

• 2004 Hoosier Open (Adult Middleweight Blue Belt) 1^st Place.

• 2003 Indiana State BJJ Championships

• 2001 Charity Brawl (170lb Advanced Jiu-Jitsu division) 1^st Place.

• 2001 Charity Brawl (170lb Submission Grappling) 4^th Place.

• 2001 Charity Brawl (Open Catch Wrestling) 1^st Place.

White Belt

• 1998 Lucas Martial Arts Jiu Jitsu Tournament (170lb Int.) 1^st Place.

Promotions:

• Blue Belt: March, 2000 by Professor Caique.

• Blue Belt 1^st Stripe: February, 2003 by Professor Caique.

• Blue Belt 2^nd Stripe: November, 2003 by Professor Caique.

• Blue Belt 3^rd Stripe: March, 2004 by Professor Caique.

• Blue Belt 4^th Stripe: July, 2004 by Professor Caique.

• Purple Belt: April, 2005. by Professor Caique.

• Purple Belt 1^st Stripe: November, 2005 by Professor Caique.

• Purple Belt 2^nd Stripe: November, 2006 by Professor Caique.

• Purple Belt 3^rd Stripe: February, 2007 by Professor Caique.

• Purple Belt 4th Stripe: September, 2007 by Professor Caique.

• Brown Belt: February, 2008 by Professor Caique.

• Brown Belt 1st Stripe: October, 2008 by Professor Caique.

Coaches:

• Greg Lucas (Black Belt, Team Caique).

• Chris Hayre (Purple Belt, Team Caique).

Positions Held:.

Instructor:

• Gentry Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, May 2005-present. 15-25 Students

• Lucas Martial Arts Academy: Assistant Instructor

• Indiana University: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club, 2003-2005. 30-45 Students

• Indiana University: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a course 2003-2005. 15-25 students per class.