Gracie Barra Rohnert Park News -2008-

08.10.2008 GB Rohnert Park works with police

Aparecido Bill teaches self-defense

Black belt Aparecido Bill keeps doing a great work in teaching police officers in his region. Last October 2nd, he taught a seminar for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The course was considered very productive by Capitan Byron R. Alvarez. The program was divided in 2 weeks. Bill thanked Captain Alvarez and his group.

25.09.2008 GB Rohnert Park is Gold

Jaramillo wins at the American Nationals

GMA member Aparecido Bill, from GB Rohnert Park, proudly informs that his student Enrique Jaramillo, from Mexico, won the lightweight master blue belt category at the last American Nationals Championship, held in Carson, California, last weekend.

“His heart and his will to win made the difference for the final result. It was a hard achievement with a lot of sacrifice”, said Bill.

18.09.2008 MMA at GB Rohnert Park

Bill spreads his training program

With only eight months of activities, Gracie Barra Rohnert Park keeps spreading its range of programs offered. Black belt Aparecido Bill has sent us some great news about a new class he kicked off this week. And there is a picture to prove it.

Last September 17th, the MMA class begun with seven athletes. Bill has a lot of hopes about his team: “This class promises a lot and I am sure we will welcome much more people in the future. It was very important the base work in Jiu-Jitsu before starting MMA.”

05.09.2008 A full month in Rohnert Park

Aparecido Bill proud of his students

Black belt Aparecido Bill, GMA member in Rohnert, had a full month in August. His students did great at various competitions and the work at his Gracie Barra affiliated school academy was harder than ever. The training with the Highway Patrol continues.

Bill is very proud of his students. Enrique Jaramillo came in second at the Battle Of The Bay, in Santa Cruz. In the same event, blue belt Michael Stratton came third in his category. Enrique also finished third at the No-Gi World Championship. Bill also took the time to congratulate Forrest Dimmick and Kahai Murata for their hard work in Carson.

04.07.2008 Bill Gives Promise

GB Rohnert Park leader celebrates good results

The Gracie Barra Rohnert Park school is celebrating its first year of existence. In the past 12 months, black belt Aparecido Bill and his students have achieved many of their goals. The school is a success and the learning is non-stop.

Bill took the opportunity of the end of the year to mention the most recent promotions, as an example of his students' achievements. The following students got their blue belts recently: Richard Henderson, Michael Wall, Richard Lota, Owen Valuch, Jason Simmons, Matt Da Silva.

Another measure of the success of a school is the attention it gets from its community. This last year, Bill gave seminars in High Schools, taught for law enforcement agents. Now, he gives another example of the close relationship with the community. “Mr Richard is 79 years old and has started training a month ago. He is doing very well”, says Bill. As well as the academy itself.

25.06.2008 Good news from Rohnert Park

Bill pleased with three disciples

Black Belt Aparecido Bill, GMA member in Rohnert Park, California, sent four email messages with good news about his activities. First, he spent May 30th, in a five-hours seminar in Jacksonville, FL. There, he met his disciple Roberto Cuartero and his student Ej Rowe, 15. Rowe has achieved a lot of good results recently, including NAGA champion, US Nationals.

Later, at the 2008 Worlds, Bill’s student Michael “Spoleta” Stratton finished third at his category in the blue belt. An outstanding result for an athlete with only six months of Jiu-Jitsu. Bill considers Michael to a JJ phenomenon.

Another value forged under Bill is Enrique Jaramillo, a blue belt who has been training hard for the No-Gi Worlds, in August. And, at last, Bill himself welcomed the Rohnert Park California Highway Patrol for a day of training on June 11th. For over three hours,m he showed techniques that can be of great use for law enforcement officers.

5.06.2008 GRACIE Magazine Association in the 2008 Worlds

Bill and RP Jiu-Jitsu at Worlds in Longbeach.

More than any other event, the World Championship is the time and place where almost all the Jiu-Jitsu community gathers and celebrates the love for the sport. It is no different with GRACIE Magazine Association.

From Rohnert Park, black Belt Aparecido Bill is also a GMA member

Joao Faria, Triumph BJJ, member in San Diego

Romero "Jacare" Cavalcante, leader of Alliance Georgia

16.04.2008 Introducing Jiu-Jitsu to hundreds

Aparecido Bill takes the gentle art to High schools

Black belt Aparecido Bill, GMA member in Rohnert Park, California, knows the importance of taking Jiu-Jitsu to the masses. With that thought in mind, last Wednesday, April 9th, he and his student Michael Stratton made a demonstration to over 700 students at Rancho Cotati High School. He talked about the experience: “There were kids between 15 and 17 years old and I think this kind of activity helps to get people familiarized with Jiu-Jitsu. I do it to keep the Jiu-Jitsu flag up. The acceptance was great.”

Bill is no newcomer to this kind of presentation. “It was the first here in California, but I have done similar ones in Florida and New Orleans. The lecture lasted three hours for two different groups.” In his Gracie Barra school, in Rohnert Park, he keeps working hard to maintain the constant growth.

09.04.2008 Promise from Rohnert Park

Aparecido Bill pleased with his first Pan-Ams champ

The Gracie Barra Rohnert Park school was established only five months ago. Nevertheless, black belt Aparecido Bill, GMA member in California, has a lot to show so far. “We have already almost 50 students and we now have our first Pan-American champion.” Michael “Espoleta” Stratton submitted 5 out of his six fights. “He promised to become a world champion this year. He is going to be a handful for his opponents, once he traisn hard and has a lot of heart,” said Bill.

Stratton was white belt lightweight champion. In the final, he defeated Travis Gmeiner. Bill sent the picture of his student on the podium.