BJJ is growing in Malaysia and its a good thing

I think KDTA.com gets a lot of hits from netizens from all over the world (averaging 2500-3000 unique hits a month probably looking at our BJJ or CMD programs. Not bad for a martial arts website). The interest in the website may indicate the growing need for the type of service/activity KDT provides. This is a good thing and I'm happy this is growing.

In addition to the BJJ program at KDT, there are a few more BJJ groups in Malaysia that you need to know about, support and check out.

1. Borneo BJJ in Kota Kinabalu. They train at the YMCA Damai (above 7-11) in KK and is led by blue belt Allen Chong from John Will-Machado lineage.

2. Quico's BJJ group teaching out of Ding's Martial Arts in Kelana Jaya, P.J. (http://klbjj.blogspot.com/) representing Brutal BJJ Team (?). Quico (pronounced "Kiko") is a great fella from Portugal but as he's not familiar, Kelana Jaya isn't really KL, it's in PJ but he's still a great fella nonetheless.

3. Marcos Escobar a Team Brasa Black Belt recently started a BJJ class in Damansara Perdana (http://marcosescobar.blogspot.com/) which is a little further out and again, not in KL but in Selangor.

4. Robert Bruce runs a group up in Ipoh in Bernard Radin's kick boxing gym and we will be paying him a visit soon.

5. Coming soon! Our own Albert Lim will be starting his group over in Kuching, Sarawak, making that 2 BJJ groups over in E. Malaysia later this year.


I don't know /heard of any other BJJ groups but I hope that there will soon in the other more populous states.

With the interest and growth, it's important to note that correct technique must be practiced in order to reap the rewards of the time, money and effort invested in training. This is why we have invited John Will (Australasia's highest ranking BJJ Black Belt) to conduct a 2 day seminar this coming April (see: www.kdta.com for seminar details) so that all groups can participate and see how world-class BJJ should be performed.

I know representatives from most gyms will participate but others will shy away because they feel the seminar will be too "advanced" for them. Wrong! Listen, taking part in a seminar presented by a world-class trainer like John Will will boost your understanding of what BJJ training should be like. Not only will techniques be presented, taught and practiced but also the philosophy of how to be a good training partner, how to train and the mindset which will help improve your understanding of the concepts and principles be discussed among loads of other things which someone with over 15 years of BJJ training can only teach you.

It is excellent value for money and of the few opportunities I've had to learn from John Will, it's been positive all the way. He's a great communicator and teacher who observes and corrects mistakes, refines a good technique into a great technique and gives you the techniques appropriate FOR YOUR LEVEL.

I had the pleasure and opportunity to train with John Will in a week-long martial arts seminar in 2006, training and learning from him for 5 consecutive days, after which he visited us in KL and presented a 2 day seminar. This year we have the opportunity to invite him over again and I hope that you will join us in this open event and learn how BJJ should be like from a fantastic coach.

Here's a sample of his technique: Far armbar from knee ride

As he's coming to our door step, I don't understand why people make up all kinds of barriers and excuses not to take part then later complain about lack of highly skilled BJJ teachers around. Is this the Malaysian way?

Come on! Let's get a BJJ club in every major city in the country going and it can only happen starting with you!