When we moved away from New Orleans after the Hurricane, we ended up in Winston-Salem, NC which is the home of Graham “Mr Banker” Treakle. While we were working with Graham and his team, I took up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as part of my exercise regimen. In no time, I found out I really dug it and the fact that it was a very cerebral sport … almost like chess, but more dangerous!

Fast forward 6 months and I am back in New Orleans, with experience under my belt (literally) and time on my hands. When my local jiu-jitsu school announced a tournament, I couldn’t resist myself - and entered! The event took place on Saturday 14 Jan and I ended up winning a Silver Medal (should’ve won the gold, but that is a different story!). I even recorded the matched on video and will be loading them to YouTube at some point in the near future and will make sure I post a link from the blog so those of you who are interested in seeing me “in action” can get a peek! Anyway, here are the finalists in the “Under 175lbs” weight division for White Belts (I am the one on the left):