Martial arts ace in Toti
The fight scene has changed immensely since I first started.
Jiu Jitsu superstar, Roberto Atalla of Brazil is visiting Toti to do some specialised training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), the ground fighting aspect that mixed martial arts (MMA) has evolved from.
CombatCoaching was privileged to host the legendary BJJ instructor and former world champion, who is one of the founders and head coach of the Rio Grappling Club, an academy that has produced some of the best European grapplers in recent years.
“He will also conduct some gradings at our gym during his visit,” said coach, Morne Swanepoel.
“Morne is one of my black belt instructors and representative for the Rio Grappling Club. We have been working together for more than three years,” said Roberto, who is here for a three-week stay.
His CV is an impressive one and includes: World champion (1996 purple: Weight and absolute, 1997 brown: Weight), European champion (2007 black master 1: Weight), world silver medallist (1999 black: Weight), Pan American silver medallist (2000, 1999 black: Weight), Brazilian national silver medallist (1999 – black belt), Rio de Janeiro state champion (1998 – brown belt) and British grappling champion (2003).
“I first took up martial arts to protect myself from bullies at school,” said Roberto. “I have now been involved in BJJ for 25 years.”
The Rio Grappling Club was founded in 2003 inside the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London. “We are now in more than 23 countries and have almost 150 schools worldwide.
“I first took up martial arts to protect myself from bullies at school,”
The fight scene has changed immensely since I first started. I’ve been involved since 1990, so everything is totally different from when there were no rules and fighters would represent one martial art and they fought for honour, not money.
Nowadays everyone knows that we need to combine Muay-Thai, boxing, wrestling and BJJ. There is no room for fantasy martial arts like wing chun, krav-maga or aikido, or when they are inside the cage, they do not survive two minutes.”
This is not Roberto’s first visit to Toti, but as he travels to teach, he does not have much time to sightsee. “In my free time I like to rest and also work from my computer.
I think South Africa is such a beautiful place, it can only compare to Brazil as other places I’ve been to lose miserably to them both when it comes to natural beauty and diversity.
Our countries are very different in many ways, but they also share the same problems: Lack of a decent government as most people on both sides of the Atlantic vote with their bellies and the result is the same: Corruption, violence, lack of education and public health, injustice and inequality.
But I am optimistic that with a push for education, this can be reverted in a few decades for future generations to enjoy.”
