Hello everyone - Happy Halloween. I suspect a number of you will be wearing your gi around to collect candy. Just remember that trick or treating is intended for smaller kids than you. And as a bonus, if any of you come to my door wearing your uniform, I'll give you two pieces of candy instead of one.

I've been meaning to get this update out for a couple weeks now, but I just kept getting more and more information to update everyone on. So instead of two small updates in two weeks, you are getting one "super email". It's a long one, so please bear with me…

On Friday, October 17th, James, Ben, Henry and myself all got in the car and headed down to Columbus for the Relson Gracie Nationals. As usual, it was a GREAT road trip and fun was had by all. We got there early in the evening for weigh-ins and then met up with the rest of Team Vaghi to talk Jiu-Jitsu. James, Ben, and Henry all competed on Saturday and did really, really well. James was able to win two medals, a first in his weight and a second in the open. After his performance, Rodrigo invited James to come down to St. Louis to test for his blue belt. Great job James! The complete Team Vaghi results are listed at the end of this email.

Upcoming Events…

Henry Matamoros is hosting a seminar by Carlao Valente in Milwaukee on Saturday, November 8th from 11am-3pm. Carlao is a 5th degree black belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu. He started his jiu-jitsu training under Rolls Gracie, and eventually got his black belt under Rickson Gracie. Cost is $65 per person. Henry's school is at 2653 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View, WI 53207.

Doug Moore and Dave Sixel are hosting a 2-day tournament in Northern WI on Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th. Saturday will be sport karate and pankration tournaments. Sunday will be a brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament. Registration for Sunday's jiu-jitsu tournament starts at 10am with competition starting at noon. Cost is just $20 to enter the white belt division and the absolute. This will be a great tournament for anyone looking to get first time tournament experience. It will also help prepare anyone for larger tournaments down the road. If you have any questions, please let me know - or contact Doug at 715-369-9645 or Dave at 715-617-6170. Thanks to both Doug and Dave we have a hotel room for Saturday night. Please let me know ASAP if you are coming along so we can be sure everyone has room for the night.

I'll be taking James down to St. Louis on Saturday, November 15th for his blue belt test. Over the next couple weeks, be sure to help push James a little extra to help prepare him for the most physically demanding day of his life. He has worked very hard to get where he is today - and every member of the club can take pride in knowing you have helped contribute to his success. My question to everyone in the club is - who's next? Who is going to step forward and be the next Team Vaghi/FVGC blue belt? Train hard and make it to practice and it could be you. Everyone is doing great, but who is next to take it up a level?

There is a tournament in Brooklyn Center, MN (Twin Cities) on Saturday, November 22nd. It is being hosted by the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. There will be both gi divisions and no-gi divisions. Preregistration cost is $35 for one division or $50 for both. The cost will increase by $5 per division if you register after Nov. 14th. If you have any questions, call 763-560-5696 or visit their website at www.mmaacombatzone.com.

Originally I had thought about canceling practice on Saturday, November 29th because of Thanksgiving. Then I remembered that I am addicted to jiu-jitsu and needed the extra time on the mat. So what I did was invite all jiu-jitsu schools in WI to come to our place and train. Training on Saturday, November 29th will be from noon until whenever everyone leaves. Have some fun, eat some turkey, and then come to practice to burn some of those calories off!

There will be some No Holds Barred fights in the Wausau area on Friday night, December 5th. I'm planning on going out to watch and meet some area NHB fighters. If you are interested in coming along (and are over 21 years old) let me know. If you've never been to an NHB fight, I can tell you they are a lot of fun.

Start saving up some of your money now, because Rodrigo is coming back to Appleton in December for a seminar. He was up earlier in the year and we had an AWESOME time. He is extremely technical and a superb instructor. You DO NOT want to miss this. I'm going to finalize everything while I'm in St. Louis in a couple of weeks, but I can tell you it will be two days (8 hours) of training. The cost is yet to be determined but will be under $100. You will not find a better deal for a black belt seminar ANYWHERE in Wisconsin. A sign up sheet will be posted this weekend. If you have any questions or would like me to add your name to the signup, please let me know. If you want to reach me on my cell phone my number is 920-450-3172.

The last event to let everyone know about is a kickboxing and pankration fight night to be held in Milwaukee on February 28, 2004. If you would like to participate in this all amateur event, contact Duke Roufus at 414-403-3853.

Relson Results…

Below are the results of each division where Team Vaghi placed in the top three. Team Vaghi took first in the adult team division, beating the combination of Team Relson and Team Caique!

ADULT TEAM WINNERS
1st Place - Team Rodrigo Vaghi
2nd Place - Team Relson Gracie-Caique
3rd Place - Team Jorge Gurgel

Adult White Belt Super Feather Weight 122-134 lbs
1st - John Palos - Team Vaghi
2nd – Marvell Banks Jr. - Team Pedro Sauer

Adult White Belt Feather Weight 135-147 lbs
1st - James Peterson - Team Vaghi
2nd – Levaughn Smart - Team Vaghi
3rd – Greg Huron - Team McVicker

Adult White Belt Middle Weight 161-173 lbs
1st – John Lozler - Team Vaghi
2nd – Paul Ulrich - Team Vaghi
3rd – Carlo Lamoga - Team Relson Gracie-Caique

Adult White Belt Light Heavy Weight 174-187 lbs
1st – Tom Mueller - Team Pedro Sauer
2nd – Jason Smith - Team Vaghi
3rd – Anthony Russo - Team Carlson Gracie

Adult White Belt Heavy Weight 200-214 lbs
1st – Tracy Taylor – Team Vaghi
2nd – Steve Smith – Team Impact
3rd – Shawn Ross – Team Jorge Gurgel

Adult White Belt Open
1st – Jeremy Good - Team Jorge Gurgel
2nd – James Peterson - Team Vaghi
3rd – Charles Heston - Team Vaghi

Adult White Belt Masters Feather Weight 135-147 lbs
1st – Bruce Piater III - Team Vaghi
2nd – Chris Tohler - Team Relson Gracie-Caique
3rd – Eric Marsill - Team Pedro Sauer

Adult White Belt Masters Light Weight 148-160 lbs
1st – Chris Hughes - Team McVicker
2nd – Eric Schuettenberg - Team Vaghi

Adult White Belt Masters Medium Heavy Weight – 188-200 lbs
1st – Brandon Gallo - Team Relson Gracie-Caique
2nd – Mark Bagley - Team Vaghi
3rd – Harry Dilley - Team Relson Gracie-Caique

Adult Blue Belt Light Weight 148-160 lbs
1st – Joe Modice - Team Vaghi
2nd – Dustin Hazelett - Team Jorge Gurgel
3rd – Mark Redding - Team McVicker

Adult Purple Belt Medium Heavy Weight – 188-200 lbs
1st – Mike Ruthmeyer - Team Vaghi
2nd – Angelo Popofski - Team Relson Gracie-Caique

Adult Purple Belt Open
1st – Robert Carrero - Team Relson Gracie-Caique
2nd – Don Richard - Team Relson Gracie-Caique
3rd – John Menke - Team Vaghi

AMATEUR NO-GI: MEN’S 185-200
Winner- Mike Rethmeyer - Team Vaghi
Runner-up- Jeffrey Serafin- Team McVicker

AMATEUR NO-GI: MEN’S 200-215
Winner- Mark Adams - Team Jorge Gurgel
Runner-up- John Menke - Team Vaghi

Well, that does it for me. This has been the longest FVGC update I've ever sent out, so if you've made it his far, congratulations! Now go take a nap or something. Oh, and one last thing. If you do not want to receive future updates, please reply to this email and let me know - I'll be happy to take you off the list.

Train hard, and I'll see you on the mat.

Bill Krieg
Fox Valley Grappling Club

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