Wrestling Experience Highlights
- Currently, wrestling instructor, Absolute Jiu Jitsu
- Former graduate assistant wrestling coach at Bucknell University and the Pennsylvania State University
- Former volunteer assistant coach at King College
- Former New York Athletic Club wrestling team member for over 10 years
- New York State High School Champion
- Junior National Freestyle Champion (AAU)
- Seven time National Freestyle Champion (USWF and USA Wrestling)
- Two time silver medalist in the World Cup
- Two time Tiblisi (USSR) team member
- Sparticade (USSR) team member
- 6th place World University Games
- Olympic Trials finalist 1988, third 1980 and 1984
- National Sports Festival champion
- Silver medal Pan American Games
- Canada Cup Champion
- 4th place Goodwill Games
Other Experience
I have nine years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission wrestling experience. I am presently a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (via Haroldo "Cabelinho" Bunn). In addition to regular training at Absolute Jiu Jitsu under Dee Smith, I have attended seminars by Marcos and David Avellan, Eddie Bravo, Chris Brennan, Haroldo "Cabelinho" Bunn, Eric "El Tigre" Castanos, Surapon "Khupon" Dechkampu, Kenny Florian, Allan Goes, Royce Gracie, Ryron Gracie, Michael Jen, Rodney "Chico" King, Marc Laimon, Carlos "Escorrega" Lemos, Jr., Walter "Sleeper" Michalowski, Luiz Palhares, Duke Roufus, Chris Sasek, Radek Sefcik, Andrew Smith, Matt Thorton, Master Tong Trithara, Fernando Vasconcellos, and Jerry Wetzel.
Of the legitimate national and international caliber wrestlers teaching wrestling to marital artists, I have a stronger background and understanding of traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu than do most others. This gives me a somewhat unique perspective insofar as I have incorporated jiu jitsu technique, tactics, and strategy into my game and consequently understand well how the two traditions can be integrated, versus the approach of many wrestlers who simply come from the parochial and brute force perspective of trying to "prove," so to speak, that wrestling can defeat jiu jitsu. Understanding and integrating wrestling techinique can help your jiu jitsu (and visa-versa for that matter). This series will teach you what you need to know and do, in a well organized manner, to add wrestling to your jiu jitsu game and to feel more confident and to be more successful competing against wrestling oriented martial artists.
