OPENMAT Goes to the MMA EXPO!

This past weekend OPENMAT Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu put its positive vibe on display at Toronto's annual MMA Expo in Mississauga.

A special thanks goes out to Jodi, Tiffany, Jocelyn, Jason and Allen who volunteered their time, offered up rides and most importantly helped to spread the word to Toronto why they think OPENMAT is such a great place to practice martial arts!

As some of you may have already noticed there have been a lot of new faces around the club this week.  Please help us in welcoming these new members to our family by introducing yourself and saying hello!

Congrats OpenMat Competitors!

Last weekend OpenMat students showed just how fun competing can be! Congratulations to all eight of OpenMat's students who took to the mats on both Saturday and Sunday (Josh E., Dan, Jodi, TIffany, Allan, Phil P., Jocelyn, and Carlos Q.) at the Ontario Open BJJ Championships. Everyone fought with great skill, heart, and as important - attitude! To top off both days a number of OpenMat students made their way up on to the podium!  Congrats to Jodi who took home Silver and Gold medals, Tiffany who took Bronze, Allen C. who won Silver and Carlos who also took home a Silver! OpenMat head instructor Elliott Bayev also competed in the no-gi advanced division on Sunday, taking his division and showing us all why he is such a well-respected competitor on the Jiu-Jitsu world stage. Of course, the day wouldn't have been the same without all the OpenMat students and supporters who came out to cheer on all our competitors. Thanks to everyone for making it such a great weekend!

Make sure to check in with both our Facebook Fan page and YouTube Channel for discussion, photos and video footage.

Stripe and Belt Test This Sunday!

OpenMat will be holding our next stripe and belt tests on Sunday, May 16th. Most who've been training consistently over the last few months will be moving forward.  Requirements are being handed out in class this week, and extra practice time will be offered during some intermediate classes - inquire in class for details.  Test times will be finalized early next week.  If you are unable to attend the grading, please let us know as soon as possible.

Note: there will be no classes Sunday May 16th. 

New Wrestling Classes!!!

Beginning Wednesday, May 12th, OpenMat will begin offering Wrestling classes twice/week, taught by Val Ostanov, a BJJ Brown Belt with more than 20 years of Greco Roman and Freestyle Wrestling experience.  These no gi classes will focus on takedowns for BJJ and submission wrestling competition, laying a foundation for those interested in MMA.  Class times:

Wednesday 

7:30- 9:00 Wrestling (Open to intermediate+ students)

Saturdays

3:00-4:00 BJJ Beginner/Intermediate flow

4:00-5:30 Wrestling Foundations (Open to all students)

5:30-6:00 Openmat

Elliott Kicks Butt at the Pan Ams in California!

Head Instructor of OpenMat and Shawn Williams Brown Belt, Elliott Bayev, made his debut in the brown belt division last month at the at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan Ams in California! Elliott had an awesome performance, defeating his first opponent 12-2, before getting caught in the quarter finals!

Visit our YouTube Channel to watch all the action!