About Peninsula Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Peninsula Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is ran, instructed, and taught by 3rd degree black belt Marco Nascimento. It's one of the few martial arts gyms where you are given the opportunity to train and roll with a black belt every class session. Whether you're new to BJJ and you're looking for a great physical fitness activity or you're a competitive practitioner that's looking to enhance your existing game in order to help you at your next tournament - Peninsula BJJ can help contribute to all of your needs.

Peninsula BJJ is more than just a gym, it's a family - It's a personal, safe, fun and very rewarding experience for adults and children of all ages.

The friendly, fun, and personal environment is best said by Marco himself:

"The gym is not just where I work - it is where I grew up. It’s where I’ve made my best friends and where I relax too. Jiu-Jitsu, to me, is much more than just a sport, it is a way of life!"

About Marco Nascimento

Marco Nascimento is a exceptionally accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner who has been training since 1986 in Brazil under Adilson "Bitta" Lima (Head master of Gracie Barra Pitbull). He has competed in over 200 BJJ tournaments and has acquired over 140 medals with 100 of them being gold. While Marco still competes in the black belt senior division, he now devotes his time and energy towards teaching and instructing to his team in California. He has been instructing for over six years and at Peninsula Jiu Jitsu for the last four. Over the last year he has competed in the 2007 Pan American Championships and took gold in his Senior I division.

Marco Nascimento BJJ History

• 1986 - Began training in BJJ
• 1988 - Received blue belt
• 1990 - Received purple belt
• 1992 - Received brown belt
• 1994 - Received black belt
• 2000 - Received 2nd degree black belt
• 2000 - Came to the US to compete and teach - in both New York and the San Francisco Peninsula
• 2002 - Went back to Brazil to compete and teach

• 2003 - Came back to California to start teaching at Peninsula BJJ

• 2005 - Received 3rd degree

Tournaments

• American National 2007 (IBJJF) Silver Medal

• Pan American - Medalist 2000, 2002, 2004, Gold 2007

• Circuito Paulista -  Gold Medal                                           

• Copa Regiao Serrana - Gold Medal                                    

• Campeonato Mozarth Azevedo - Gold Medal                

• Copa Jucao - Gold Medal (x2)                                                    

• Copa Cube Bom Retiro - Gold Medal (x4)                             

• Campeonato Brasileiro - Gold Medal        

• Campeonato Estadual RJ - Gold Medal                             

• Taca Cidade de Niteroi - Gold Medal                                 

• Copa Flucar -  Gold Medal (x2)                                                     

• Copa Paes Niteroi -  Gold Medal                                          

• Campeonato Beneficiente Carlos Rollison - Gold Medal (x2)

• Campeonato Mello Tenis Clube - Gold Medal (x2)                      

• Campeonato Teresopolitano - Gold Medal (x3)                        

• Copa Cabofriense - Gold Medal                                         

• Copa Pitbull de Inverno - Gold Medal (x3)                                

• Copa Nastra - Silver Medal                                                  

• US National 2001- Gold Medal   

• California State - Gold Medal (x2)                                               

• Kioto Challenger no GI - Gold Medal                                     

• Copa Friburguense de Judo - Gold Medal (x2)

   

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Originally, Jiu-Jitsu (better known as "Ju Jitsu") was a Japanese style, with a name meaning “gentle art”. It first made its way to the New World in the early twentieth century when Japanese martial arts expert Mitsuyo Maeda taught the art to members of the now legendary Gracie famili in Brazil. The story goes that Carlos Gracie was the first to learn the art from Maeda, and he in turn taught the practice to his brothers, including Helio Gracie. In this way, the art gradually transformed into a new style of fighting with an emphasis on practical application in real world encounters. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu first gained a foothold in America when Helio Gracie’s son, Royce Gracie, came to the United States to compete in the newly-created Ultimate Fighting Championship with the stated goal of finding out which martial arts style was most effective.

No conversation on the origins of modern MMA is complete without a discussion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ, is an art that consists mainly of ground fighting, using leverage and body mechanics to allow a smaller person to defeat a larger, stronger opponent through superior technique. BJJ incorporates a number of chokes and joint locks to subdue opponents with the goal of making an adversary submit or “tap out” (physical tapping one’s hand against the mat or opponent) to avoid serious joint injury or unconsciousness. Among other things, BJJ is known for innovanting an effective form of fighting from one's back in a position know as "the guard", where a competitor uses his legs and hips to control his opponent from the botton position.

While martial arts will continue As martial arts evolve so does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.