Summer camp 99 featured Randy Couture, Dan Henderson,
and Gym President Matt Thornton. As always Randy & Dans
segments were a big hit, focusing on takedowns, pummeling, and
sprawling. Also this year Dan taught much of his infamous front
headlock position. Including chokes, neck cranks, and throws
from that position.
Matt focused primarily on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,
teaching escapes from bottom, and domination of position on
top, moving into the details of some high percentage submissions.
As always the Camp was a big success. Students
from all four Gyms attended, including Corey Reeves, who now
runs our brand new Carson City Gym.
The 3rd Gorilla Cup is scheduled to be held at
the Salem Gym on Jan 29th. Salem (aka:the factory) won the cup
after Nathen Quarry scored three additional team points by winning
the open class in a 30 minute match against Portland's Robert
Follis. As before, all Straight Blast Gym athletes are invited
to compete. The matches are 5 minutes each and are scored on
the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu point system. Gi’s are optional and
the weight classes are as follows;
Matt completes 3rd African
Seminar tour
On November 17th Matt returned to the United
States after completing his third African Seminar. The Seminars
were hosted by SBG Instructor Rodney King and held at his
Gym in Johannesburg.
In addition to teaching the classes and conducting
several evaluations for some of Rodney’s athletes Matt was
privileged again with the opportunity to spend a considerable
amount of time around some lions thanks to Richard Hickman
Smith who runs a lion park just outside of Joberg.
Rodney has a fantastic group of high quality
athletes at his Gym. Some of them have competed in Thailand
in Muay Thai competition, and many of whom who would fare
well in Vale tudo competition.
Matt plans on returning to Africa in July 2000.
3 monts old lion
The lion park does important work educating the public
as to the importance of wildlife conservation.
You
can visit the lionpark online at
www.lionpark.co.za
They are always looking for help and support.
Just Released!
Two weeks ago SBG Productions released three
new video series. Chris Haueter’s “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
streetfighting”, Don Familton’s “Superior Boxing”, and
Burt Richardson’s “High Performance series two”. Check
the SBG Productions page for a copy of the complete advert.
Soon to be released:
An exciting series titled “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
killer” featuring NHB fighter and Olympic wrestler Dan
Henderson. This series will definitely change the way
you view fighting and NHB.
Also soon to be released; Matt Thornton’s
“Functional JKD Series two”. Matt follows up his
top selling first series with six new titles! Expect details
on these in the next Gorilla Press.
The anticipated release date for both series
is April 25 2000. Stay tuned!
Upcoming Events:
SBG Gorilla Cup Jan 29th (sat) 10am Salem Gym
ICC2000 Meeting Feb 18th (fri) 7pm Port Gym
Winter Camp 2000 Feb 26th & 27th (sat & sun) Port
Gym 10am-5pm
Rick Williams will be teaching at this years Winter Camp.
Rick is an amazing Jiu-Jitsu guy, and great Instructor. Winner
of the Pan Am games, and one of the first Americans to ever
be awarded his Black Belt from Rigan Machado, Rick will be
giving his knowldege to the SBG Camp attendes.
ICC1999 Graduation / Matt’s B-day! March 25
(location to be announced)
Brazilian jiu-jitsu seminar with Rick Williams March 25th
& 26th
Rick will once again be bringing his vast Jits knowledge
to the Blast, as well as helping those athletes that are
preparing for April's Pan Am games
ICC 2000
It’s time again for the registration of the
next class of Straight Blast Gym Instructor candidates. This
year (2000) promises to be the best ICC year yet.
The ICC or (Instructors Candidate Course) began
in 1997. The purpose of the ICC class was to help facilitate
the performance and knowledge of a select group of athletes
who could then help the Gym grow, and meet the ever growing
demand for SBG training. The first class (1997) produced four
Instructors which have gone on to teach, and whom many of
you have trained under; Robert Follis, Tom Oberhue, Dan Robinson,
and Joy Franz. In 1998 the second ICC class was formed producing
Portland Instructor Lloyd Stockton. Our third class is set
to graduate at the end of March, and the new class of ICC2000,
the future Instructors of the SBG, is set to begin on April
5th, 2000.
Each year only a hand full (usually a class
of 12), begins the 480 hour course, designed to train people
who are interested in teaching someday, and helping to coach
other athletes. This training program is meant to accelerate
an athlete’s growth, and learning curve. Taking people to
a level of skill and performance that might otherwise take
many years to achieve. ICC members develop their stand
up, clinch, and ground skills. As well as learning the principles,
concepts, and philosophies behind the Straight Blast Gym.
Because the ICC is meant to create Instructors and future
Coaches, much of the training is also geared not just in personal
performance, but also teaching and coaching skills; Learning
to enhance the performance of others.
Students who enter the ICC not only receive
the entire yearlong course, but also receive a lifetime membership
with the Gym. However, this course is designed for
those wanting to eventually teach. As such, although the ICC
is a way for students who plan on training at the Straight
Blast Gym to save money in the long term, it is meant only
for those interested in teaching at some point. In addition,
students who join the ICC are permitted to work into all the
future ICC training sessions. Many of the SBG Instructors,
like Robert Follis, have frequently worked out with all the
ICC classes we have had to date, 1997, 98, and 99.
Changes for ICC 2000:
Each year the training methods of the ICC become
more advanced, and the skill level of the athletes involved
accelerates even faster. The class of 2000 will be no exception.
I believe the potential performance level that can be
achieved by the class of 2000 will be incredible, and I am
personally very excited to see what the athletes who start
the program will look like 12 months later.
One of the many changes that will be occurring
in ICC2000 will be the introduction of periodization training,
and training cycles. ICC 2000 will be composed of four training
cycles of twelve weeks each. Each cycle will focus on specific
training goals and skills.
I am really looking forward to beginning the
new class of 2000. Remember that being in great shape,
or being a good fighter, is not the concern you should have
when entering the ICC. As long as you are prepared to commit
to one year of consistent training; you will be all those
things in the end anyway. - Matt Challenge
your weaknesses
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs, even though checkered by failure, then to take rank
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer
much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not
victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt
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