Ok a few things to get through in this post so please bare with me.

Firstly thanks to John Will for once again showing us why we're so lucky to be part of his global organisation. John's skills are unmatched and always inspire.

I had the opportunity to watch John in action helping the NZP develop a safe program for vehicle entry. What made this special for me was watching John analyse something he has virtually no experience with, and then proceed to break it down and develop a solid usable method for instant use.

But that's not all, John then went on to show the people present how to go on and teach the new system in a structured and straightforward manner. It was fantastic to see John at work in this way and once again confirmed my complete admiration of the guy!

Wednesday 30th November 2005 John Will BJJ Seminar:
The seminar was absolutely packed!! Seriously at this rate next time we may need to limit the numbers on the mat!? The content was gold, with John covering Potency or how to maximise the use and potency of each and every limb/action/movement and apply it to moves you know currently. This leads to going back over moves you currently have success with and applying the same potency principals to each move.

Although the content was advanced John once again taught it in a way that even the newest members of GSW could follow. Even if they didnt understand the purpose of the potency application, they came away with a Killer Hooking Sweep. :)

On the night there were a couple of surprises in store for some of the crew. Alex was awarded his Blue Belt, as you all know Alex has been a force on the GSW mat since his first day. I have a great deal of respect for Alex and the way he conducts himself on and off the mat. His work ethic is astounding and with the help of Johnny, Alex has accelerated his learning by getting on the mats at every opportunity. Well-done buddy.



My good friend Ko was also surprised and awarded his Purple Belt. This was a very special moment for me as Ko and I have been in this journey together from the beginning. I first met Ko it so long ago I cannot recall exactly when it was. I do know it was in the late 80's at a Zen Do Kai Grading held in New Plymouth. Ko had just passed his green belt (Green is a belt that comes with special powers, at Green belt Martial Artists become bullet proof), Ko had been awarded the top Green belt prize.

Needless to say I took an instant dislike to this skinny, loud mouthed, Indian boy! Several months after this Ko started attending classes with me under Bret Kimmins and very slowly we became friends. Pretty soon we were good mates and everything we did, we did together. We both took up Japanese Jujitsu under John Hanstra, we took to Shoot Wrestling under Steve Nedelkos and when it came time to shift to BJJ training, well we did it as a team.

Ko traveled to Australia with me to train with John Will in 1995, we were actually traveling to Melbourne for a Zen Do Kai function but took the opportunity to travel to Geelong to do a private with John. We then went to Aus again the next year to train with John Will and Jean Jacques Machado. Since then we have been virtually inseparable, traveling to seminars and competitions whenever we were able.

Over the last couple of years Ko has suffered some injuries that have kept him for the GSW mat and I personally have felt that absence deeply. Now Ko's life has taken another turn with the arrival of his children thankfully this is a turn for the better. Ko has been and will always be a huge part of my life and awarding him his Purple Belt was a very special moment. Well done buddy, I hope we can continue our journey to Black together.



The last big surprise of the night was John awarding me my Brown Belt. Total shock is all I can say. This belt means so many things to me personally and trying to explain it to people who don't know what BJJ is, is beyond a joke.

"Brown Belt??!! I thought you were a Black Belt?"

When you tell people your 5th Dan Black Belt means less to you than the new Brown Belt they just give you a funny look and say things like:

"You're a 5th Dan?!?!?"

Too hard to explain. But yes, that's how I feel, the Brown Belt represents 10 years of BJJ training, some good some not so good, but 10 years it is. I got my Brown Belt in Zen Do Kai in 4 months! And My Black in 12 months and my second Dan in 18 months.. So yes I'm proud of the BJJ Brown Belt. I still don't think I deserve it but who am I to question this regions premier BJJ coach?

So thank you John for your continued faith in my skills, thanks to all the guys and girls at GSW for their support and dedication. Without the club there would be no ranks, no advancement and no BJJ community in Wellington.