Year-end events are a huge success

Once again, hundreds of students from all over the world visited North Miami Beach to attend the traditional Valente Brothers year-end events. Again, the Royce Gracie Jiu-jitsu network joined us. Since 2011, Royce Gracie adopted the Valente Brothers black belt examination system to test his new black belt candidates. 

YFC is a success

On Sunday, November 12th, VB students from North Miami Beach, Pembroke Pines, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale and Jupiter came together for a great day of Jujutsu. The YFC teaches children to face challenges and always fight hard despite the result. Over 150 children accepted the challenge and displayed great courage and technique. The next YFC will be in May, 2018. 

Helio Gracie Day 2017

Pedro, Gui and Joaquim Valente along with the entire Valente Brothers family celebrated the life of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Born on October 1st 1913 in Belem, Para, Brazil, Helio Gracie became one of the greatest proponents of jujutsu in modern history. 

Shokunin Conference 2017

Fifty Valente Brothers black belts, professors, instructors, assistant instructors and study group leaders gathered at VB Headquarters in North Miami Beach. The Shokunin Conference was the first ever of its kind and the results were extremely positive. Over the course of three days the conference covered many topics including important historical findings, pedagogical techniques, nutritional advice and a 753 Code discussion. During the meeting the Valente brothers also presented new norms and requirements for black belt degrees. The Shokunin Conference will become a yearly event. 

 

Summer Belt Ceremony

On Monday evening the new VB Headquarters building hosted its first ever Summer Belt Ceremony. The event was a success and once again brought together the VB family. Professors Pedro, Gui, and Joaquim Valente remembered their late father and Grandmaster Dr. Pedro Valente Sr. and dedicated the ceremony in his honor. Recently the Valente brothers announced that the new buiding was named Dr. Pedro Valente Sr. 

A Valente Brothers Blue Belt

 Alistair Overeem being promoted to Blue Belt by brothers Pedro, Gui, and Joaquim Valente
Alistair Overeem being promoted to Blue Belt by brothers Pedro, Gui, and Joaquim Valente

Alistair Overeem became the newest Valente Brothers Blue Belt. Alistair began training at VB in 2014. Alistair resides in between Miami Beach and Albuquerque, New Mexico where he is a member of the Jackson Wink MMA team, Alistair is one of the most condecorated combat sports athletes ever holding world titles in Kickboxing and MMA. According to the UFC Heavyweight contender he chose VB as his source for Jiu-jitsu because he wanted to learn the roots and foundations of the gentle art. 

 Sergei Kharitonov and Alistair Overeem at Valente Brothers
Sergei Kharitonov and Alistair Overeem at Valente Brothers

Valente Brothers first Black Belts

On December of 2003, Valente Brothers awarded its first two Black Belts ever. Professor Pedro Valente, upon consulting with Grandmasters Helio Gracie and Pedro Valente Sr., awarded the coveted rank to James Robertson and Carlos Villares. 

These promotions marked the only time Black Belts were awarded outside of the Valente Brothers mats. 

Today James Robertson and Carlos Villares continue to practice and live the Jujutsu way. Jimmy teaches in Coral Gables, Florida and Carlos is constantly practicing in the VB Headquarters in North Miami Beach. Both have introduced their children into the Jujutsu way.