By Cheryl Ragsdale | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, May 7, 2012 10:49 AM EDT

Being blind doesn’t stop Shannon “Shane” Cantan from practicing Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reporter Kristine Leahy from FOX25 in Boston, interviewed Shane and filmed him training BJJ. Follow this video link and watch Shane make his way to class on the subway or the “T”, as we call it in Boston. Plus, he’s shown training with fellow students, Kenny “Tudo” Bailey and Javier. Professor Keith Florian, who is the brother of UFC fighter, Kenny Florian, is his chief coach and is also shown on the video.

What makes Shane so special?

There are still many people in my world who really don’t understand why I love MMA and the individual skill sets that make up mixed martial arts–Brazilian jiu jitsu and striking. I can’t wait to show them all this featured story about Shane Cantan, one of my fellow fight family members from Florian Martial Arts in Brookline, MA.

Shane is originally from Hawaii. He claims UFC fighter, BJ Penn, who is Hawaiian, to be his favorite UFC fighter.

Kenny Florian, another well-known and seasoned UFC fighter, is his second favorite. That’s important to mention because Shane lives in Boston now and trains at Kenny Florian’s school.

Read the full article here

I walked through the door at 303TC on Feb 15, 2012. I was greeted by Matt Sierra, he talked to me about the class schedules and suggested I take a free class and see if I liked it… In the five minutes I was there I knew BJJ was my thing. I declined the free class and signed up on the spot.

My intro class was with Coach Tony Basile, he showed me some basic exercises and arm locks… I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time… At the end of class, Coach Tony told me to pass his guard using the techniques he had shown me… I figured, how hard could it be, I weigh 275 lbs. and this guy is like 160 lbs… YEAH RIGHT!!!! I still haven’t passed his guard, but, I won’t stop trying!

I have been amazed at the energy that encompasses 303TC. Everyone from the professors to students is jazzed every time I walk through the doors, and it is addicting!!

Since I have been training at 303TC I have lost approx. 37lbs. and June 09, 2012 I will be competing in my first BJJ tournament.

BJJ and 303TC have had a very positive impact on my life. Both personally and professionally. My only regret is that I didn’t find 303TC sooner!

Regards,

Tim Little

LAGUNA HILLS – Marion Reneau was willing to sacrifice sleep to make a three-hour-plus trek to what has become the world’s record female jiu-jitsu tournament.

“This is a big, historic event,” said Reneau, 34, from Visalia. “With all these women to be guaranteed three fights is amazing. I was willing to sacrifice to get here.”
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Reneau, a blue belt who fought in the advanced 130-to-140-pound group on Sunday was one of 106 women who took part in the tournament organized by the owners of Subfighter MMA, a Lake Forest gym.

At the event, held at Laguna Hills High, women competed at all levels of experience and in six weight classes from 115 pounds to 165 pounds. Participants came from more than 60 gyms across California. The largest previous tournament for women was a Texas tournament in 2010. Seventy-seven women competed there.

“Today’s event was fantastic,” said Adam Lynn, co-owner of Subfighter MMA. “I could not have done this without Russ Miura, my teammates at Subfighter and Laguna Hills High School. It was standing room only in the main gym. Our gym would not have been able to support the amount of spectators alone.”

Lynn said he created the tournament to give women a more accessible way to get involved in the sport.

Read the full article here.

Kids are welcome.. We still have your gifts!!!
See you all tomorrow!!!!

Belt Promo & Randori
Blue Belt Candidates List:
Jose “Hulk” Martinez
Emmanuel “Juggernaut” Martinez
Tony Valdez
David Simoni
Zach Mayne
Josh Sattler
Allen Miuter
Austin Schell
Robert Bobbett
Landon Jennings
David Treanor
Steven Clark
Allison Hoffman
Bernardo Vigil

www.303trainingcenter.com