Vector Jiu-Jitsu Owners, Chris & Beth Thrasher, want to issue a challenge to every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in the world: Donate $1 to support this Mississippi team so they can open a new independent facility so kids from any high school can join.

In recent months, the City of Jackson, Mississippi has been plagued by a staggering increase in criminal gang activity and gang recruiting.

Robbery, rape and murder are daily news headlines like never before.  Kids are killing kids for nothing out here. Too many of my high school math students discuss gang activity like it’s the only viable option for them.  We had grown men show up outside the high school where we train to beat up females in a massive 50+ person gang fight after school.  Parents are urging their children to fight each other, videotaping it, putting it on the internet and brandishing firearms… possibly the most disturbing part of these instances, is that not an eye is batted when firearms come out because the community is so desensitized to this level of depravity.

The time is now to prove that Jiu-Jitsu could save an entire city.  We are at a tipping point in our push to expand Vector Jiu-Jitsu.  Chris and I are working minor miracles with the teenagers we can get through the door.  Our ability to get kids through the door (i.e. promote the program) is limited by our ability to finance a larger, independent training space open to ALL kids in the city not just one high school – where too many young adults have become “set in their ways.”  Community leaders are aware of what we are doing, approve of it, but seem reticent to jump in with both feet to assist us.  I know in my heart if we can cultivate a large, eager group of elementary & middle school aged children, that Jiu-Jitsu could begin to turn around the culture of violence and hopelessness that envelopes this city.

We need to make noise, we need to leave our City Government and School District no choice but to take notice.  If we can show the people in power here that Jiu-Jitsu as a community alone is an agent for change.  I think we could get them to get behind matching funding for a Vector Jiu-Jitsu Facility in the city.  If everyone that reads this donates just $1, it would get the ball rolling for our organization.  Will you accept the challenge?

Here is a direct link to our program PayPal Account (we are a 501c3 nonprofit):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YWE2KMFRZ6H7L

From Around the Globe we bring you Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling stories of interest.  These stories are meant to open your hearts and minds to the world of Jiu-Jitsu and grappling.  Their stories are just as important and pertinent as those in your local area.  Today, the ADCC trials from Israel.

ADCC- Abu Dhabi Trials - Israel

by Haim Gozali

The 2008 ADCC Israeli Trials was a huge success full of action with 100 competitors. Israel's submission community

2008 ADCC Israeli Trials

showed it is driving full force ahead with the impressive turnout and the events professionalism, holding true to the ADCC submission legacy. took place on December 20. Organized by Renzo Gracie black belt Haim Gozali, six grapplers will travel to the European ADCC trials on January 3rd.

Non-stop action, with many exciting matches, the Israeli trials have proved that Israel will be a strong foothold for the... (View photos from the event)

ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship

The ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Championship was created by Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former president of the United Arab Emirates. Significant prize money is awarded to winners, and athletes who have been successful at the highest levels of competition in Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo , Shooto and mixed martial arts regularly participate.

Rules & Regulations

The Championship is tournament style i.e; only winner goes through to the next round.

The dates for the east coast trials for the 2009 North American ADCC Trials have changed to June 13th and 14th.

Teens Beginner (15 to 17 years old)
(up to 2 years of training) 
 
115lbs and under (Lightweight) 
116 to 139.9lbs (Welterweight) 
140 to 170lbs (Middleweight) 
170 and over (Heavyweight)

Teens Advanced (15 to 17 years old) 
(2 years plus training) 
115lbs and under (Lightweight) 
116 to 139.9lbs (Welterweight) 
140 to 170lbs (Middleweight) 
170 and over (Heavyweight) 

Men’s Beginner (up to 1 year of training)

143lbs and under  (Lightweight)
143.5 to 167.5lbs (Welterweight)
168 to 191.5lbs (Middleweight) 
192 to 215.5lbs (MiddleHeavy) 
216lbs and over (Heavyweight) 
168 to 191.5lbs (Middleweight)

Men’s Intermidiate  (1 year to 3 years of training)

143lbs and under (Lightweight)
143.5 to 167.5lbs (Welterweight) 
168 to 191.5lbs (Middleweight) 
192 to 215.5lbs (MiddleHeavy) 
216lbs and over (Heavyweight) 
168 to 191.5lbs (Middleweight)

Men’s Advanced (3 years plus training)

143lbs and under (Lightweight)

Men's Under 66 kg - Kouhei Yasumi (Lotus Paraestra Setagaya)
Men's Under 77 kg - K-taro Nakamura (Wajiutsu Keishukai Tokyo Headquarters)
Men's Under 88 kg - Yukinori Haruhara (Rodeo Style)
Men's Under 99 kg - Kazuhiro Nakamura (Yoshida Dojo)
Men's Over 99 kg - Kouji Kanechika (TEAM TACKLER)
Women's Under 60 kg - Megumi Fujii (AACC)
Women's Over 60 kg - Hitomi Hiraiwa (AACC) *Hitomi Akano

Andre Galvao secured a returning spot for ADCC 2009. 

Galvao competed in the U88KG category and won with a submission victory over Bruno Bastos.

Returning is Antoine Jaoude, the former ADCC Arab Division Champion

 
Other winners where: 

U66KG Rafael Mendes 

U77KG Murilo Santana

U99KG Glover Teixeira

Over 99KG Antoine Jaoude

Ladies

U60KG Michelle Tavares 

Over 60KG Rosangela Conceicao

The organizers of the ADCC USA Trials have annonced the date and location for the events:
 
The EAST COAST trials will take place on May 16 & 17, 2009 at the J.Collins Arena in Lincrof New Jersey.

The WEST COAST Trials will take place on May 23 & 24, 2009 at the Cal State Domingues Hills in Carson, Ca

For more info go to www.adcombat.com   or www.adccusa.com

East Coast USA Trials:
May 16 & 17

J. Collins Arena
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey 07738

West Coast USA Trials

May 23 & 24, 2009
Cal State Domingues Hills,
Carson, Ca

The ADCC Committee adjusted the Ladies weight classes for the remaining trials and main event in 2009. 

The new weight classes are under 60KG and over 60KG. 

The new weight classes will apply, as stated above, to the remaining trials and to the ADCC World Championship in 2009