It is always like welcoming a brother home when we have Professor Salvatore on the mats of Gracie Barra Downers Grove. Coming from the same lineage, Professor Salvatore is an extended family of ours, and always travels across oceans to be a part of every important event at GBDG. We are so honored to have him on the mats with us today.

Once again, Professor Salvatore lead the team through another seminar full of insightful techniques. Starting with sharpening the fundamental techniques, to a smooth transition into new submissions – it gave us the opportunity to connect the dots and see techniques transition into a nice flow! Today’s mats was packed with so much knowledge, experience, passion, determination, team spirit, and joy. This was not only from the 6 GB world class leaders, but it came from every beating heart of passionate jiu jitsu practitioners who shared the mats with us today.

We want to thank the professors who came to support this event, representing the legacy of Gracie Barra: Professor Carlos, Prof Salvatore, Prof Don, Prof Carlon, Prof Dave, and Prof Pedro. Thank you instructor Mike Hueser who brought GB students from Iowa to join the GBDG family for their belt grading, honoring and preserving their lineage!

We also would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who received their grading, especially ones who reached the new chapter of their jiu-jitsu journey: Ed Kasper (blue belt), John Sorenson (blue belt), Milenko Golubovic (blue belt), Jordan Jennings (blue belt), I-Yung Hou (blue belt), Dessi Marinov (purple belt), Alex Diaz (purple belt), and Chris Hanson (brown belt). Everyone has a different path in their own jiu-jitsu journey, and just like every fruit has its own timing to ripe, our head instructors always proceed with grading according to each student’s unique situation. One thing is for sure, we have the most legit and sharpest line up of professors of the Chicagoland, and our students are in good hands and always under the most thoughtful guidance.

Thanks to all the seminar participants; everyone who carved time out of their busy lives to join your GB brothers and sisters on the mats to learn from one of Gracie Barra’s leader and world class black belt!