Connection RioConnection Rio

Ze Mario Sperry Short Documentary, Stuart Cooper’s latest work

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:43:15 +0000

Ze Mario Sperry’s short documentary, “I love to train” proves with time Stuart Cooper Films continues to raise the bar for excellence in film making.

Three time World Absolute Jiu-jitsu champion and multiple time ADCC champion Ze Mario Sperry is still very much active, on the scene of MMA and Submission Grappling around the World. In his latest documentary Stuart Cooper outdoes himself again, pulling viewers right onto the mats through his innovative camera work and editing. Even if you don’t know Ze Mario after watching it will feel like you do. Watch and learn more about a World champion who at forty five years of age is still mixing it up with today’s top athletes.

WATCH ZE MARIO “I LOVE TO TRAIN”

Ze Mario Sperry (photo from BJJ Heros archives)

Rory ‘the Warrior’ Quarrier

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:31:55 +0000

Rory ‘the Warrior” Quarrier has become a part of Connection Rio hostels and integrated into a BJJ lifestyle in Rio de Janeiro. It has been a pleasure to have the Warrior looking after CR’s Jiu-jitsu hostels here in Rio.

When Rory first arrived he was a guest set to stay for four months and ended up a fixed part of CR, looking after the hostels and whipping them into shape. His journey here has immersed him deep into the Jiu-jitsu lifestyle of Rio and opened his eyes to the Carioca culture of Rio de Janeiro, from BJJ to Dancing.

See some of what the Warrior has experienced on this short video –

Ricardo Vieira, Checkmat (Rio de Janeiro)

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:13:20 +0000

Ricardo Vieira, 9x Jiu-jitsu World champion and founder of CheckMat Jiu-jitsu based in Rio de Janeiro. This class athlete and Jiu-jitsu professor has much to offer his students, who are primarily geared toward competition training with a philosophy of teaching that puts concepts first and foremost.

Journalist/Film maker Hywel Teague of BJJ Hacks has put together his best work yet, shining a spotlight on Ricardo Vieira and his CheckMat academy in Copacabana. This is a must see, make time to see inside Vieira’s academy and watch – RICARDO VIEIRA THE PASSION TO FIGHT

The Ricardo Vieira lead CheckMat academy in Copacabana is one of many locations Connection Rio guests have available to train during their stay here in the city. Be sure and take a look at the post on travel time to Rio’s most sought after academies from the Connection Rio hostels – SEE ACADEMY TRAVEL TIMES

Berimbolo in Rio Competiton, via Niall Mullen

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:02:55 +0000

Niall Mullen brings us his favorite sweep in action at the FJJD-Rio sanctioned Circuito Mineirinho. The Connection Rio sponsored athlete, also known as “Driller Killer” was on the mats of Circuito Mineirinho’s first event of this years Rio State Estadual. Regardless of final outcome, the first step is getting on the mat to compete and Niall was there. The linked video allows anyone considering competition in Brazil to see what the experience is like for a blue belt in Rio’s state ranking tournaments. Watch Niall in action as he takes us through his matches at the first Estadual do Circuito Mineirinho in Rio de Janeiro.

WATCH: 1a ETAPA CIRCUITO MINEIRINHO 2012

Niall Mullen

BJJ Championship in Rio de Janeiro, May 12th & 13th 2012

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:14:14 +0000

FJJ Rio Jiu-jitsu championship in Rio de Janeiro, May 12th and 13th of 2012.

This upcoming Jiu-jitsu championship in Rio de Janeiro is an ideal opportunity for anyone in the city of Rio to compete and test the waters of Brazil. Here in the motherland of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitors can experience what ‎it is like to compete where the Arte Suave was originated.The estadual competitions are great to test how a persons Jiu-jitsu holds up to the competitors in Rio, with the reward of not only a medal but also an official record of placement in the Rio de Janeiro state rankings, through the FJJ Rio.

Championship Details:

The Estadual do Jiu-jitsu May 12th – 13th will be held at the Iate Clube Jardim Guanabara (see address below). To register as an athlete and or team, see the detail on the FJJ Rio official site – http://www.fjjrio.com.br/

Iate Clube Jardim Guanabara

Rua Orestes Barbosa, 229 – Jardim Guanabara

Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 21940-375

*Be sure to register in advance!

Best of luck to all.

BJJ Championships in Rio

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:44:56 +0000

Competing at BJJ championships in Rio de Janeiro is an experience any travelling Jiu-jitsu player should seek to have when in the city. Competing in the motherland of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Rio de Janeiro is an experience that will leave participants with a new outlook on the sport having after tested the waters. This is exactly what a number of guests at the Connection Rio hostels do on a regular basis… when there is a championship in the city you can expect to see someone from Connection Rio on the mats.

In the linked video Connection Rio founder, Dennis Asche speaks from inside the Mineirinho Jiu-jitsu championship in Rio de Janeiro on the subject of competing in Rio. Congratulations to Abdallah Nabas or “Boss” of Jordan for tearing apart his division at the Circuito Mineirinho!

WATCH THE VIDEO

Abdallah Nabas after winning his division at Circuito Mineirinho

Stuart Cooper Films

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:09:52 +0000

During the last quarter of 2011 and into the beginning of 2012, Connection Rio had the pleasure of working with Stuart Cooper of Stuart Cooper Films here in Rio de Janeiro. Stuart Cooper, relatively new to the film industry has a calling in the field. His ability to capture athlete’s most incredible moments from the best angles on film is uncanny. Add the quality of his filming together with an eye for editing, topped off with a desire to put heart and sole into production… The equation leads you straight to Stuart Cooper Films.

During Stuart’s time at Connection Rio’s Jiu-jitsu hostel in Rio de Janeiro we saw some of his most outstanding work come together with the Rise of Toquinho documentary. Filming Toquinho and BTT was one of the best decisions Cooper could have made. Rousimar Palharis documentary opened a window for the World to see how well put together SC Films productions are. In Rio he also joined RRS and began filming/editing for the Real Rio Show completing the season 1 final episode on Gracie Barra. Stu also collected hours of top quality never before seen footage of academies and professors in Rio, in the end putting together a great trailer leading up to the RRS season 2 (Read related story on yet to be released season 2).

Real Rio Show Season 2 Trailer

There are thousands of anxious fans anticipating the soon to be released joint production with BJJ Hacks on Kyra Gracie. The Kyra documentary represents a collaboration of work that pairs in depth investigative journalism and sharp eye of Hywel Teague with artistic editing and Jedi film skills of Stuart Cooper. Judging by the response to BJJ Hacks solo project “Kyra Gracie Uncovered” released in 2011, this 2012 documentary is going to be BIG!

WATCH KYRA GRACIE DOCUMENTARY TRAILER

In the mean time we at Connection Rio are very much looking forward to Stuart Cooper’s release of a number of top quality productions currently close to completion and of course his return to Connection Rio!

Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:03:09 +0000

Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro is a breath taking experience and the principal platform for take off is only a short drive from Connection Rio’s Barra hostels. Looking for a different view of Rio de Janeiro and a new experience here in the city, hang gliding is where it’s at.

Weather it be your first time hang gliding or you are an experienced glider, this is one of the most recommended ways of seeing a spectacular view of Rio de Janeiro. In choosing a tandem instructor and selecting the right company Connection Rio recommends experienced instructors with well maintained quality equipment for your safety. Our top pick is Marcus “Quem” Sampaio of Quem Fly Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro is the man to fly with. Marcus or “Quem” has years of experience to draw from and top quality equipment to glide you safely onto Sao Conrado beach. Quem fly is the first choice for many international visitors, as well as native Brazilians when it comes to Hang gliding.

Sao Conrado Beach at Sunset (by Dennis Asche from Connection Rio instagram)

Quem Fly gliding over Sao Conrado with "James"

For more information on Quem Fly go to www.quemfly.com

Rio BJJ Tours with Connection Rio

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:00:19 +0000

Rio BJJ tours has been a great opportunity for Connection Rio guests to see Jiu-jitu academies in Rio de Janeiro. During the 2011 year we had a number of tours to Rio BJJ academies, in conjunction with the Real Rio Show. Although Real Rio Show filming is currently on hold, while in the middle of negotiating a Brazilian network television deal for season two, Connection Rio is still as active as ever. We are always willing and ready to visit BJJ academies in Rio with our academy tours. Take a look at some of the World famous BJJ academies we visited on the Real Rio Show season 1 (pilot series). From BTT, Nova Uniao, RFT, De La Riva to Gordo Jiu-jitsu, Connection Rio guests have been well received on our academy tours. We look forward to many great outings in this year of 2012 and hope that you are here to join us!

Keep your eye on Connection Rio Facebook and CR Official site for upcoming academy tours.

Jiu-jitsu vs. Cancer

admin — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:09:46 +0000

Australian Jiu-jitsu black belt Matt Cooper of Advance Martial Arts is fighting against cancer in a selfless fund raiser to help those with the disease. There is a yearly event in Australia for the Leukaemia foundation called the Worlds Greatest Shave and Matt came up with a very creative haircut, going for the Tropical Thunder look.

“I entered my gym to participate… basically people shave their heads, or dye their hair to get sponsored to raise money…. because I always just normally have my head shaved, people wanted me to do something stupid… so I’m going to try to have it done like Tome Cruise from Tropic Thunder….”, said Cooper.

Matt Cooper with the "Tropical Thunder" cut

Judging by the picture he looks pretty close to how Tom Cruise did in Tropical Thunder. Having left from Rio de Janeiro today he will be making his way back to Australia with two stops in the US. Good luck Matt!

Tom Cruise, Tropical Thunder

Hats off to Matt Cooper for a valiant effort in a great cause!

To all who would like to help with a great cause in fighting against cancer follow the link and see what you can do: CLICK HERE