IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Unfortunately Hannibal has had to pull out of teaching at the meet as his trip to the UK has fallen through. Everyone from MAP wishes him well and hopes we get to see him another time. This obviously leaves us needing a replacement Instructor, so we put together a wish list. We wanted a long standing, popular member of MAP. Someone who trains under one of the UK's most respected coaches. Someone with an active, successful, competitive career in various disciplines. Someone with a big ginger beard. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, our very own Pretty in Pink will be teaching a grappling session for us at the Meet! Many of you will have met PiP aka Tom at previous meets. If you haven't, you're in for a treat! Softly spoken, warm, friendly, and with a grappling super-computer for a brain, Tom is a great addition to the line-up. Tom can tell you more about what he's going to do, but in the meantime enjoy one of his great moments from Instagram I want to publicly thank Tom for teaching at the Meet, and without embarrassing the man, the respectful way he went about it speaks volumes for him. Not long now!
Cheers Mitch! I'm excited to come along again this year and get to contribute. Really looking forward to seeing everyone again
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Unfortunately I also have to announce that due to a change in personal circumstances Unreal Combat aka Lei has had to pull out of teaching the K1 Kickboxing session in the afternoon. We send him our very best wishes and hope to see him next year. Have no fear though, oh striking brethren, there will be a replacement session run by either PiP, Simon or myself to take his place. We've got a great range of very experienced Instructors, as usual, I look forward to seeing you there
My first session will be a Catch Wrestling flow drill. It's the drill Hannibal was going to teach, so you'll still get a flavour of the big man (but with less wearing.) It's not this drill, but this is a teaser. There will be a move from Eric Paulson in my drill and it is in the video. If you've never done any groundwork, then this is for you. If you have then we have some little gems along the way you'll like. "Ah but does it work?", I hear you shout. Well I taught this drill to John Titchen and his some of his juniors and once locked on we couldn't shift the youngsters. If we have time I'll show you some Hickson Gracie counters and how we get round them. And before anyone asks, no I won't be wearing a spandex singlet.
There will also be T shirts for sale on the day. These are high quality Gildan shirts embroidered front and back with our MAP logo and available in a range of sizes. £20 on the day, but stocks will be limited so grab one quick!
*Rickson Gracie. All the Gracies have R's at the start of their name and pronounced as "H". Except Roger which can be pronounced either way.
On a more serious note I would like to add that all instructors teaching are fully insured. Pretty in Pink will be working under my insurance (approved by The British Combat Association) and there will be qualified first aiders in attendance, including me. I'll make sure the first aid kit is fully stocked, but the MAP Meet rule is that no-one should need the first aid kit. We're there to have fun while learning, not hurt each other.
Final safety point before we all meet up and find out we have the humour of a 14 year old in the playground. This event is open to those 14 and over and both Mitch and I as event organisers have DBS security clearance.
I think it's because most people who actually grapple sort of have an idea about how that families name is pronounced !
Except Helio...who has an actual h at the start of his name but you don't pronounce it. Those whacky gracies.
And Kron, although you have to Pronunce the K as a silent R, so it's actually Ron Gracie..... (I'm lying of course, you roll his R.... So it's Rrrrrrrrron gracie)