Inverted Gear Blog
Tag: Meet the Pandas
Meet The Pandas -- Olympic Judo’s ‘Jiu-Jitsu Kid’ -- Ryan Lakea Vargas
Meet the Pandas sheds light on the faces of the Panda Nation. This month, we’d like you to meet Ryan Lakea Vargas. At 22, Vargas is a jiu-jitsu brown belt and judo black belt. He’ll be heading to the Olympics in 2021, competing for the USA judo team.
Meet the Pandas – PMA through BJJ – George Law
With an extensive background in judo (and being more than a little stubborn), George Law (45) had little respect for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Read his story today.
Meet the Pandas – The Language of Jiu-Jitsu – Charles Brissette
Being a cerebral guy with an interest in statistics and analytical thought, Charles Brissette is not your typical BJJ meathead.
Meet the Pandas – Magic On The Mat – Raphaël Levy
Meet the Pandas sheds light on the faces of Panda Nation. Last episode we introduced brown belt medal chaser Pat Hemenway of Pellegrino MMA. Now, we focus on Raphaël Levy of association Aranha: A professional Magic: The Gathering player, brown belt BJJ dad, and driving force behind the French edition of Jits Magazine. Since age 15, Raphaël Levy has been competing professionally in the weird world of the trading card game Magic: The Gathering. Destined for a nerdy life of physical inactivity, he somehow discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he was able to channel all his strategy skills into this new passion. Also, he brought Jits Magazine to France and managed to unite the many different strands of the French BJJ...
Meet the Pandas – Beyond the Wrestling Ego – Pat Hemenway
Pat Hemenway has a heck of a jiu-jitsu story, part of which involves his journey with dyslexia. Daniel Bertina has the story.
Meet the Pandas – The Panda from Paris – Claire-France Thévenon
In Meet the Pandas we explore what drives the many members of the Panda Nation. In the previous episode we introduced Javier Palomo: walking encyclopedia of the grappling arts, host of the Grapper Union Podcast and combat wrestling world champion. Now, we put the spotlight on BJJ black belt Claire-France Thévenon of MK Team, multiple time IBJJF medalist, 4th degree judo black belt, half guard sweeping machine and French panda. After Claire-France Thévenon discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it took a while for her to let go of her judo instincts, ingrained by years of competition. Now, she teaches and trains full time at her academy MK Team Paris, adding visualizations and mental conditioning to her already powerful hybrid judo & BJJ...
Meet the Pandas – The Mighty Mexican Combat Wrestler - Javier Palomo
Javier Palomo is as dedicated as they come, and his decorated competition history reflects that. Daniel Bertina has the interview.
Meet the Pandas – A Dark Horse in the Arms Race – Jon Calestine
Choo choo! The Jon Calestine hype train continues to run strong with this exclusive interview from Panda Nation’s Daniel Bertina.
Meet the Pandas – Weaponized Nerdjitsu – Jonathan Thomas
Jon Thomas blew up the internet with his highly detailed and expertly explained BJJ instructionals, and he has been on a tear in the competition circuit lately. Now we're proud to call this mathematical-engineer-turned-black-belt a Panda Nation Grappler. Daniel Bertina has the story in this all new interview.
Meet the Pandas – The Not-So-Gentle Dutch Giant – Martijn ‘Grandão’ Gademan
The Europeans are a powerful part of the Panda Nation. Last time we introduced British black belt and all-round submission wizard David ‘Morcegão’ George. For this episode we turn the spotlight on yet another incredibly tall and skilled grappler, multiple time IBJJF champion Martijn ‘Grandão’ Gademan: Dutch mat rat, eternal teenager and undisputed master of the Closed Guard From Hell. There should be a rule against teaching incredibly strong and tall humans jiu-jitsu - because it just isn’t fair for the rest of us. Still, Martijn Gademan (44) was dragged out of the weight room into the dojo, and started wrapping up his victims soon after. ‘Grandão’ is one of those rare jiu-jitsu practicioners who is universally both liked &...