Daniel Moraes, Joao Havelange (FIFA President), Romario and Kyra Gracie honored in Rio de Janeiro - (02/07/2011) :

• The honored star of the evening was the Honorary FIFA president, Joao Havelange, for being the most real translation of what a true sportsman should embody: a be fraternal, conciliatory, inclusive,
  aware that the sport is one of the biggest levers to dignify man - and that is also a first cousin of education. Revered around the world, Joao Havelange, was able to join a sports organization that more countries than the UN itself had.
  Throughout his life, fought elitist prejudices of race, socio-economic dominance. It was a true ambassador for the sport around the world. As the larger flag of the existence of Iate Clube Jardim Guanabara, over these six decades,
  the practice was beneficial for a multitude of sports, nothing more fair than the figure symbolize the recognition of a Brazilian projection internationally in this field. As stated by Commodore Jose Moraes in his speech,
  "the sport helps build a better citizen and has the power to remove minors from misdirection of drugs and violence." 12 personalities to grace with an award specially made to mark the celebration of its 60 years, the yacht has created the Necklace of Merit Havelange including:
  Joao Havelange (FIFA president)
  Daniel Moraes (5x World Jiu-Jitsu Champion)
  Romario (4x Soccer World Champion)
  Kyra Gracie (2x World Jiu-Jitsu Champion)
  Eduardo Paes (Rio de Janeiro's mayor)
  Joana Cortez (2x Pan-Ams Tennis Champion).
  Upon arrival at the Gym Pele, the guests were greeted by an orchestra of young violinists, The Little Mozart and Amadeus.
  The journalist and presenter Ana Paula Araujo, television news anchor "RJ TV," TV Globo, was the master of ceremonies for the event.
  After the award ceremony, guests enjoyed a great musical show, starring singer Root, who enchanted the audience with his beautiful and refined voice and a wonderful repertoire of songs of national and international success.
  Please congratulate our champion next time you see him for this once in a lifetime recognition.
  

• Our black belt is back and coincidentally featured in a great article on BJJLegends here.
  This is definitely a must read feature which describes what makes him such an incredible individual and why he is one of the best kept secrets in BJJ.
  Please come and welcome back our champion, see you on the mats!
  

• The Traditional double-leg is one of the most often used and efficient ones practiced by Jiu-Jitsu stylists. Daniel Moraes, a top competitor
  during his days in competiion, taught a seminar at Michael Sergi's Robert Traven-affiliate academy Serg BJJ team in Savannah, GA, on December 3th.
   The Fighter sent GRACIEMAG.com an exclusive video here where he demonstrates one of his specialties. A savvy takedown artist,
  having trained with division 1 wrestling champion and former Brazilian Top Team coach Darrel Gohlar, the Gracie Humaita black belt teaches
  a few tricks to the double-leg, like avoiding the guillotine choke, a typical counter, when shooting the legs. Please check the full article at GRACIEMAG.com
  here

• Our good friends Daniel Moraes a third degree Royler Gracie black belt, leader of Relson Gracie Jacksonville and an 11 time world medalist with his assistant
  instructor Ryan Brinkman a first degree brown belt under Daniel and Relson put on an amazing seminar for Serg BJJ Team Roberto Traven on Friday the 3rd.
  Daniel showed some of his world class wrestling skills and escapes from the turtle position. It was a pleasure to have Daniel and Ryan and we hope to have them back
  in the late winter or early spring. Check here for full article.

• Our own Nick Stiles featured on channel4 , demonstrating how effective the bully-proof kids program can transform
  any timid child to a more disciplined,self-confident and respectful person.
  Great job Nick, we are very proud of you. Check the full article and video here

• If you missed last month's NO-GI mundials, here is your chance. Just navigate here here and from there select the World 2010 NO-GI Replay under Live Events.
  If you already had purchase the event, you should be able to watch the finals again for free, otherwise it will be only a $5 for 13 black belt fights that you can watch at any time.
  This include our champ's fight in the Middle Heavy, including many other exciting fights.

• It seems like it was just yesterday, but it was exactly 3 years since our champ Daniel Moraes faced Pablo Popovitch in the 2007 NO-GI worlds.
  The road for this classic rematch was definitely a heroic one, which was praised by the commentators of the event.
  For those of you that watched the live stream on Budovideos.com noticed that our Champ was competing in the medium-heavy instead
  of his usual middleweight class and as you would expect he was in the lower end of the weight bracket.
  Amongst these beasts besides Popovitch (current NO-GI weight/absolute champion and ADCC champion) were also Murilo Santana which placed
  second in the Brazilian NO-GI Nationals and of course the champion of the same tournament Kleber de Oliveira Paulino aka (Buiu).
  Daniel's semifinal fight against Buiu is a must see David vs. Goliath type of clash, but our champ overcame the giant at the end.
  Making this one of the most anticipated finals in this year's mundials.
  Named by GracieMag.com one of the more technical matches of the event our black belt displayed high level of patience, coolness and pure heart.
  Even with a visible hand injury during the fight, Daniel escaped from a very tight back position from a super strong Popovitch, showing again that only a true champion could overcome this challenge.
  This nail biting match had everyone watching the stream on the edge of their seats. Please congratulate Daniel next time you see him on the mats in the academy for his excellent performance and bringing us this hard fought silver medal.
  Reminding us of how luck we all are to be under his tutelage.