Gabriel Willcox è una cintura nera 3°dan di Marcelo Alonso, 5 volte medagliato nel campionato nazionale Brasiliano, 3 volte campione master. Nell'anno appena passato ha conquistato il bronzo al Brazilian National nella categoria adulto ma al di la di questo di lui si sa poco. Ha 36 anni un esperienza ventennale nel jiu-jitsu ed oggi è il numero uno nella categoria LightFeather Master2.
Nei Mondiali del 2006 vinse nella sua categoria di peso e agli assoluti. Era la prima volta nella storia che un peso piuma riusciva a vincere l'assoluto battedo Jorge "Macaco" Patino ai punti e nella finale il campione dei pesi massimi.
Di passaggio in Italia per una serie di seminari in alcune accademie Rio Grappling CLub, all'interno del suo European Tour, ho avuto modo di conoscerlo personalmente e di passare in sua compagnia un'intera giornata tra Pisa, Pietrasanta, Massa e Livorno.
Il nostro incontro avviene alle 10,00 di mattina del 7 febbraio a Pisa, zona stazione.
Gabriel dovrà dirigere una lezione speciale a Livorno alle otto di sera mentre l'indomani mattina all'alba lo attende un lungo viaggio in treno per raggiungere Monaco di Baviera e poi sempre più a nord verso le fredde terre vichinghe.
Il tempo, che da settimane regala solo cieli grigi e piogge torrenziali, ci concede una breve tregua di cui approfittiamo per raggiungere a piedi Piazza dei Miracoli, unica tappa turistica per Willcox in terra Toscana.
Dopo l'acquisto di alcuni souvenir ci siamo messi in viaggio alla volta di Pietrasanta dove avevo deciso di fare con lui una lezione privata nella mia accademia prima di andare a mangiare una pizza.
Con Gabriel si è subito instaurata una certa complicità. Chiacchierando con lui mi sono accorto di come il suo modo di vedere il BJJ fosse simile al mio. La sua filosofia vede il jiu jitsu non solo come uno sport competitivo, (anche se per sua natura Gabriel è un agonista nato) ma anche un mezzo per socializzare, per aiutare le persone a trovare un equilibro, una forma fisica migliore.
Abbiamo parlato di preparazione atletica, della storia del jiu-jitsu, poi Gabriel mi ha raccontato tanti aneddoti su Carlson Gracie e i suoi allievi.
Oggi il suo sogno è quello di provare ancora il suo valore in competizioni internazionali e realizzare il suo progetto: creare un'accademia tutta sua con annessi alloggi in uno dei posti più belli di Rio proprio sotto il Pan di Zucchero.
Quando poi ho avuto modo di fare del rolling con lui mi sono reso conto che alle doti da agonista aggiunge anche quelle di istruttore. In un'ora di lezione mi ha dato preziosi suggerimenti per migliorare la mia guardia e mi ha proposto drill e tecniche basiche con dettagli di cui farò tesoro.
Un altro aspetto non meno importante è stato constatare, conoscendolo, di come si sia maestri non solo per la cintura che si stringe in vita, o per quante tecniche si è in grado di eseguire, ma per l'umanità, la modestia e l'umiltà dimostrate in ogni momento, unito alla gentilezza del carattere e il sincero desiderio di trasmettere il proprio sapere in maniera generosa e genuina. Questo è quello che ho visto mentre dirigeva la lezione speciale di due ore a Livorno.
Quella di Gabriel a Livorno è stata una lezione incentrata su alcune posizioni basiche condite da dettagli preziosi, alcune tecniche più moderne come i drills per introdurre il berimbolo e, dulcis in fundo, alcune tecniche di omoplata, tecnica che preferisce assieme agli strangolamenti col bavero. Questi ultimi non ha avuto modo di farci vedere ma li ho provato sulla mia pelle quando abbiamo lottato (i suoi baveri spuntavano dappertutto pronti a finalizzarti con brabo choke, orologi vari da tutte le posizioni.)
Chiunque fosse interessato ad apprendere un jiu jitsu efficace, da competizione, tecnico e pieno di dettagli non deve far altro che mettersi in contatto con lui. Gabriel è anche diplomato in educazione fisica quindi può darvi preziosi consigli anche sulla preparazione atletica e sulle routine di allenamento. Un seminario con lui o delle private saranno il miglior investimento per migliorare il vostro gioco parola di maxbjj.
Per chi poi volesse passare una bella vacanza a Rio in un posto da sogno in una zona molto tranquilla e con la possibilità di fare belle escursioni naturalistiche oltre alle sue conoscenze tecniche vi metterà a disposizione le sue capacità di skipper essendo la barca a vela la sua seconda passione. Per programmare un soggiorno nella sua casa contattatelo a questo indirizzo: gabrielwillcoxf@gmail.com
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Gabriel Willcox is 36 years old with 20 years of experience in Jiu-Jitsu, 3°dan black belt from Marcelo Alonso, 5 times Brazilian national championship, 3 times Masters champion.He is the current number one in the LightFeather Master2.
In the 2006 Worlds he won in his weight class and the open weight. It was the first time in history that a featherweight won the absolute. In the semi-final, he beat Jorge "Macaco" Patino by points and in the final the heavyweight champion.
In the 2006 Worlds he won in his weight class and the open weight. It was the first time in history that a featherweight won the absolute. In the semi-final, he beat Jorge "Macaco" Patino by points and in the final the heavyweight champion.
After the European Championship Gabriel start his European tour, In Italy he was invited by some RGC academy to held special lessons. During his visit to Livorno I had the opportunity to know him and spend a whole day in his company.
Our meeting takes place at 10.00 am on 7th of February in Pisa, near the railway station.
The bad weather, with gray skies and torrential rains, fortunately gives us a brief respite of which we take advantage to walk to Miracle Square, the only tourist stop for Willcox in Tuscany.
After buying some souvenirs Gabriel and I hit the road off to Pietrasanta where I had decided to have a private lesson with him before going to eat a pizza.
With Gabriel I immediately established a certain complicity. While chatting with him, I realized how his way to live jiu-jitsu was similar to mine. His jiu jitsu philosophy is not just focused only about competitiveness (although Gabriel was a natural born fighter) but also like a means to socialize, to help people find a balance, a better physical shape.
We talked about training, the history of jiu-jitsu; then Gabriel told me so many stories about Carlson Gracie and his academy. Today he is focusing to prove his worth in international competitions, his dream is to be a world champion and then carry out his project: to create his own academy with outbuildings accommodation in one of the most beautiful places in Rio just below the Sugar Loaf.
When finally I roll with him I realized that he adds to his grappling skill the ability to teach. In my lesson hour with him he gave me helpful tips to improve my guard and suggested me some drill and basic techniques with details that will be helpful for me and my students.
Another no less important aspect was to note, seeeing and listening him how to be a master is something that goes beyond the black belt or how many techniques you are able to perform. To be a tru master has more to do with your humanity, modesty and the humility you are able to demonstrate at all times, together with the kindness of character and a sincere desire to convey knowledge to students in a generous and genuine way. All great competitors aren’t necessarily great instructors but Gabriel accomplishes both.
This is what I saw while he ran the two-hour class in the RGC Livorno academy. His special lesson in Livorno was focused on some basics with fine details, some modern techniques, like drills to introduce the berimbolo and, dulcis in fundo, some omoplata techniques. The omoplata is the technique he prefers the most like lapo chokes. Unfortunately he has not had the time to show us his lapo chokes but I guarantee that they work. I try them on my skin when we fought (his lapels sticking out everywhere ready to submit me with brabo, lapo choke, various clock chokes from all the positions.)
Anyone interested to learning an effective jiu jitsu, for competition, with plenty of detail, does not have to do anything other than contact him. Gabriel is also graduate in physical education and can give you valuable advice about preparation and athletic workout routine. A seminar with him, or private, will be the best investment to improve your game, maxbjj word.
For those who want to spend a nice holiday in Rio in a very quiet dream location with the option to make beautiful excursions, Gabriel in addition to his technical skills will provide his skipper ability because sailing boat is his other passion. For planning an accomodation in his house contact him at this address:gabrielwillcoxf@gmail.com
The bad weather, with gray skies and torrential rains, fortunately gives us a brief respite of which we take advantage to walk to Miracle Square, the only tourist stop for Willcox in Tuscany.
After buying some souvenirs Gabriel and I hit the road off to Pietrasanta where I had decided to have a private lesson with him before going to eat a pizza.
With Gabriel I immediately established a certain complicity. While chatting with him, I realized how his way to live jiu-jitsu was similar to mine. His jiu jitsu philosophy is not just focused only about competitiveness (although Gabriel was a natural born fighter) but also like a means to socialize, to help people find a balance, a better physical shape.
We talked about training, the history of jiu-jitsu; then Gabriel told me so many stories about Carlson Gracie and his academy. Today he is focusing to prove his worth in international competitions, his dream is to be a world champion and then carry out his project: to create his own academy with outbuildings accommodation in one of the most beautiful places in Rio just below the Sugar Loaf.
When finally I roll with him I realized that he adds to his grappling skill the ability to teach. In my lesson hour with him he gave me helpful tips to improve my guard and suggested me some drill and basic techniques with details that will be helpful for me and my students.
Another no less important aspect was to note, seeeing and listening him how to be a master is something that goes beyond the black belt or how many techniques you are able to perform. To be a tru master has more to do with your humanity, modesty and the humility you are able to demonstrate at all times, together with the kindness of character and a sincere desire to convey knowledge to students in a generous and genuine way. All great competitors aren’t necessarily great instructors but Gabriel accomplishes both.
This is what I saw while he ran the two-hour class in the RGC Livorno academy. His special lesson in Livorno was focused on some basics with fine details, some modern techniques, like drills to introduce the berimbolo and, dulcis in fundo, some omoplata techniques. The omoplata is the technique he prefers the most like lapo chokes. Unfortunately he has not had the time to show us his lapo chokes but I guarantee that they work. I try them on my skin when we fought (his lapels sticking out everywhere ready to submit me with brabo, lapo choke, various clock chokes from all the positions.)
Anyone interested to learning an effective jiu jitsu, for competition, with plenty of detail, does not have to do anything other than contact him. Gabriel is also graduate in physical education and can give you valuable advice about preparation and athletic workout routine. A seminar with him, or private, will be the best investment to improve your game, maxbjj word.
For those who want to spend a nice holiday in Rio in a very quiet dream location with the option to make beautiful excursions, Gabriel in addition to his technical skills will provide his skipper ability because sailing boat is his other passion. For planning an accomodation in his house contact him at this address:gabrielwillcoxf@gmail.com
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