Grand Prix Worlds Results

This past weekend we all went down to Houston for the Grand Prix Worlds Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments. The tournament was in a super nice facility. I believe it was the Don Coleman Coliseum. Anyway we had five competitors from Galveston BJJ show up to test their skills.

First up was Aubrey Randell and Billy Sanders. This was Aubrey's first tournament doing BJJ but it didn't show! He was able to listen to the my instructions very well and score three takedowns in his matches. Aubrey made it to the finals in the beginner NoGi division. In Billies division NoGi division he was able to make it to the finales as well. But he came up short and took the silver medal for Galveston BJJ. But in the Gi division Billy was able to work his half guard and come up with the big win. He only had one fight but he did very well and took home the gold.

The only match I didn't get the submission. 

Next up was the Blue blets. Ralp "The Plexin Texan" Garcia and Mike Harmeling here the two Blue belts representing Galveston BJJ. Ralph and Mike both did well in their GI divisions. They did not do any NoGi this time around. Ralph ended up having three fight total and winning two of them. In the finals it came down to the last 30 seconds. Ralph was on top but couldn't hold his opponent. He was able to sweep Ralph and win the match by 2. The final score was 4-6 2 advantages going to Ralph. A very tough fight! Mike won hid first match and lost the second by submission.

Last but not least I was up to fight. I was registered for Purple belt heavy weight and the Purple belt open weight class. Two days before this tournament I had pulled a muscle in my lower back which caused me to barely be able to walk. But I didn't let that stop me. In my weight division I had two fights and in the open weight I had two fights. I won all but one of the fights by submission. So I ended up taking double gold at the tournament.

Final medal count:
Evan Gideon, Gold Purple belt Heavy Weight, Gold Purple Belt Open
Ralph Garcia, Silver Blue Belt Medium weight
Mike Harmeling, Bronze Light Feather
Billy Sanders, Silver Heavy weight NoGi, Gold Heavy Weight Gi
Aubrey Randell, Silver Feather NoGi
Out of five competitors we brought back 3 golds, 3 silvers and 1 bronze medals.

CSI: Combat Sports Institute's New Look

Here in Galveston, TX we have been working hard to build a Mixed Martial Arts gym to fit the Island. We have been working with a little less than 1,000 sqft of mats. But after today the gym has upgraded to 1,600 sqft  of mat space. This new addition to the gym will let us open up the schedule and add more classes.

                                
                                                 Take a look at the new mats!!!

This is just the beginning of the transformation. To the left we have the squat rack, bench, treadmill and about 400lbs of weights! This MMA gym is coming along slowly but surely. Everyday we add something new to the gym and it is starting to look nice! The 9,000 sqft facility will be the biggest and best place to train here on the Island.

Michael's Blue Belt Promotion at CSI: Combat Sports Institute

This was the first but not last promotion here at CSI: Combat Sports Institute. Michael Harmeling has been a dedicated student coming to classes five to six times a week for the past six months. He works a full time job and has a family that backs him 100%. His wife Sabrina Harmeling and daughter Isabella Harmeling are at all the classes to show support. Their family has everything it takes to become future champions.

We are very happy and excited to have this family here at CSI: Combat Sports Institute. This is just the beginning to a long successful journey for both the Harmeling family and Galveston BJJ. Congrats to Michael and his family for all the hard work and dedication.