Michael/Sean World Championship
Donation protected
Michael, better known as “Mouth” in the gym, fell in love with the world of Jiu-Jitsu a little over 2 years ago when he took his first class at Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts. Shortly in to his training, he was invited into the advanced program and began competing in tournaments. He instantly fell in love with tournament life and has been traveling all over the United States since then. He has been competing in the North American Grappling Association Tournaments up and down the east coast including visits to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and Florida to name a few. He is currently ranked #3 in Maryland for his age and division, and #6 in the Nation!
Michael recently traveled to New Jersey for the NABJJF International Open tournament where he claimed the 1st place title for his division and New York, New York for the 2014 NAGA North American Grappling Championship where he took Gold Medals in both the No-Gi and Gi expert divisions.
Every day Michael comes home from school and hits the gym for training. He spends six days a week working on his martial arts training and has recently begun training in the Prodigy Wrestling Camp at Dematha Catholic High School twice a week. He also arrives at school early twice during the week for weight training and still manages to maintain honor roll. His hard work on the mats and in the classroom has paid off for him and he has been offered a spot beginning his freshman year at Dematha Catholic High School, one of the nation’s top prep schools.
In February 2015 Michael will be traveling out to California for the IBJJF Pankids Tournament to compete against other teens from all over the world for the title. This is the biggest and most prestigious title you can win as a young competitor and Michael has been prepping for it since he walked off the plane from last years’ tournament. At last years’ tournament, Michael fought some very tough competitors and walked away with a bronze in his division. This year, he is hungry for the gold!
Sean, better known as “ladies man” at Ivey League is 11 years old and attends Magothy River Middle School. Sean’s story is quite unique and speaks volumes for what martial arts can do for a child.
Sean was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 and since then has been bombarded with hours upon hours of therapy including speech, OT, and PT. He spent most of his toddler-hood being scanned, poked, prodded, and tested at Kennedy Krieger Institute where he received intensive intervention services. Miraculously, Sean was able to enter public school on time as a kindergartner and is currently in the 6th grade with his peers. While he requires a lot of modification for academics, martial arts is something he is able to do without assistance.
Sean has always been his brother’s biggest fan and sits mat side at every competition or listens for results via speaker phone. He has always been obsessed with football and had spent the last 2 years playing for the Cape St. Claire Cougars. But all of the sudden, Sean got the itch for Jiu-Jitsu and said, “I want to compete like Michael”. So without hesitation, he started training at Ivey League and slowly began learning the art of grappling. He shocked us all when he went to his first competition and won! He absolutely loves it and finds himself on top of the podium quite often in the beginner and novice divisions.
This year he wants to travel with his big brother to California and try his hand at Pankids. This kid has a heart of gold and a smile that can turn anyone’s day around.
Please consider donating to assist Michael and Sean with registration and travel expenses for this very exciting opportunity. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, you can still help out by sharing the link to this page and spreading the word. Michael and Sean thank you for your support and look forward to posting the results in a few months!!!!
Stay tuned for updates.
Michael recently traveled to New Jersey for the NABJJF International Open tournament where he claimed the 1st place title for his division and New York, New York for the 2014 NAGA North American Grappling Championship where he took Gold Medals in both the No-Gi and Gi expert divisions.
Every day Michael comes home from school and hits the gym for training. He spends six days a week working on his martial arts training and has recently begun training in the Prodigy Wrestling Camp at Dematha Catholic High School twice a week. He also arrives at school early twice during the week for weight training and still manages to maintain honor roll. His hard work on the mats and in the classroom has paid off for him and he has been offered a spot beginning his freshman year at Dematha Catholic High School, one of the nation’s top prep schools.
In February 2015 Michael will be traveling out to California for the IBJJF Pankids Tournament to compete against other teens from all over the world for the title. This is the biggest and most prestigious title you can win as a young competitor and Michael has been prepping for it since he walked off the plane from last years’ tournament. At last years’ tournament, Michael fought some very tough competitors and walked away with a bronze in his division. This year, he is hungry for the gold!
Sean, better known as “ladies man” at Ivey League is 11 years old and attends Magothy River Middle School. Sean’s story is quite unique and speaks volumes for what martial arts can do for a child.
Sean was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 and since then has been bombarded with hours upon hours of therapy including speech, OT, and PT. He spent most of his toddler-hood being scanned, poked, prodded, and tested at Kennedy Krieger Institute where he received intensive intervention services. Miraculously, Sean was able to enter public school on time as a kindergartner and is currently in the 6th grade with his peers. While he requires a lot of modification for academics, martial arts is something he is able to do without assistance.
Sean has always been his brother’s biggest fan and sits mat side at every competition or listens for results via speaker phone. He has always been obsessed with football and had spent the last 2 years playing for the Cape St. Claire Cougars. But all of the sudden, Sean got the itch for Jiu-Jitsu and said, “I want to compete like Michael”. So without hesitation, he started training at Ivey League and slowly began learning the art of grappling. He shocked us all when he went to his first competition and won! He absolutely loves it and finds himself on top of the podium quite often in the beginner and novice divisions.
This year he wants to travel with his big brother to California and try his hand at Pankids. This kid has a heart of gold and a smile that can turn anyone’s day around.
Please consider donating to assist Michael and Sean with registration and travel expenses for this very exciting opportunity. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, you can still help out by sharing the link to this page and spreading the word. Michael and Sean thank you for your support and look forward to posting the results in a few months!!!!
Stay tuned for updates.
Organizer
Jonathan Garlington
Organizer
Annapolis, MD
