Stephen
Koepfer Seminar
Leg Locks (No-Gi)
Improve your submission game!
Aiki Academy will be hosting a Sambo seminar with Stephen Koepfer
on Sat. 9/25/10 from 3pm to 5pm. Stephen is the President
of the American Sambo Association. In 2008, Stephen was a US Team
Coach for the 2008 FIAS World Sambo Championships. The cost is $45
per person. Please contact Dennis Hill at 203-484-2020 to register
or for more information.
Two Aiki Competitors Take Home Grapplers
Quest Medals

Congratulations to Drew Tischer and Zack McNulty who competed at
Grapplers Quest Europa Battle of Champions in Hartford CT on July
24, 2010. Drew took home two gold medals and Zack took home a gold
and silver medal in their respective divisions. We are very proud
of these two young men and and their strong dedication to training.
Congratulations NAGA Team!

Missing From Photo:
Marcello Avallone, Brad Bartels, Seve Burgos
Congratulations to the competitors who went to
NAGA East Coast Championship at the Mass Mutual Center on May 29,
2010. We are very proud of everyone's efforts. Below are the results:
Marcello Avallone - 1st & 3rd
Brad Bartels - 3rd
Seve Burgos - 3rd
Cenzo LaBonia - 1st & 3rd
Nico Sommo - 3rd
Caterina Teodosio - 1st
Aiki Youths Shave Heads For Childhood
Cancer Awareness and Treatment

Several of our youth students had their heads
shaved as part of an event on March 17, 2010 in North Haven to raise
money for the awareness and treatment of childhood cancer. The Aiki
students who participated were: Nicolas Crotta, Austin Gibilisco,
Andy Kendrick, Zack McNulty, Matthew Sibley and Tyler Sibley. The
event benefited St. Baldrick's Foundation.
NAGA NEW ENGLAND GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS

Congratulations to all who competed at NAGA on
Saturday 2/6/10 at the Twin River Casino in RI. We are so very proud
of our team's hard work and the support of our coaches. Thank you
to all the parents and friends who also attended to cheer on our
team. Below is a listing of medals earned:
Bella Crotta - 3rd
Nicolas Crotta - 2nd
Zachary Esposito - 1st
Austin Gibilisco - 1st
Hunter Hesse - 1st
Peter Murphy - 3rd
Matthew Przybyl - 1st
Tyler Sibley - 2nd
David Silverstone - 2nd
Nico Sommo - 3rd
Caterina Teodosio - 3rd
Master Dennis Hill Awarded Blue
Belt in BJJ
Master Dennis Hill is always looking to learn
and improve. On December 22, 2009, he was awarded his BJJ Blue Belt
by Professor Luigi Mondelli from Best Way Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and
American Top Team CT. He trains under Professor Luigi Mondelli at
his academy in Danbury and Luigi teaches at Aiki Academy. Grappling
students find BJJ to be the perfect compliment to their Sambo Wrestling
and Judo training at Aiki Academy. The addition of BJJ has brought
Aiki Academy's MMA program full circle. Aiki Academy's affiliation
with Best Way Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & American Top Team CT has
provided even more training opportunities for recreational athletes
all the way to athletes looking for a professional MMA career.
Congratulations NAGA Competitors
Congratulations to everyone who competed at NAGA
on 11/14/09 in NJ at the North American Grappling Championship.
We are very proud of everyone's efforts. The following people placed
in their respective divisions:
Caterina Teodosio - 1st
Demetri Teodosio - 1st & 2nd
Austin Gibilisco - 3rd
Bill Twyford - 1st
Judo Class with Sid Kelly
Sid Kelly is now instructing adults in Judo on
Saturdays from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Sid is the highest ranking Dan
in our area with an 8th Dan Judo rank and a 6th Dan Ju-Jitsu rank.
He has studied, trained and taught Judo for 50 years. He is
a two times world masters gold medalist (1999 - 2003) and a one
time world masters bronze medalist (2002). Sid was a British
international player from 1965 - 1967 and coached an under 21 European
Champion Gold Medalist. Sid was the captain of the NHC team,
winning the British area championships. He is a certified
USJA coach, certified USJA Rank examiner and certified USJA Kata
coach. He is the author of 4 books and has produced several
videos related to Waki-Gatame and Judo Promotion.
A Judo class for children is also offered in the
lower suite from 1:00 - 2:30 and is taught by Chief Instructor Dennis
Hill.
For more information, please contact Dennis Hill
at 484-2020.
Recent
Article In New Haven Independent Paper
BJJ Classes Now at Aiki Academy

Weekly BJJ classes with Luigi Mondelli from Best Way Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu /American Top Team are held every Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. at Aiki Academy. This class is open to new and current adult members at
Aiki Academy. Come be a part of one of the most successful MMA teams in history!
Luigi is a master black belt and MMA Team Manager
for American Top Team in CT. With over 15 years of practice, Luigi
is a certified black belt with many titles and a lot of experience
training amateur and professional fighters:
2009 2nd place US Nationals
2009 Panamerican Champion
2008 World No-Gi Champion
2008 Panamerican Champion
2007 Panamerican Champion
2006 Panamerican Champion
2004 Panamerican Champion
2002 World Champion
2004 North American Champion
2003 North American Champion
2001 2nd National / Brazil
1999 Rio de Janeiro State Champion
Please contact Chief Instructor Dennis Hill at
203-484-2020 if you are interested in attending. Class size is limited.
Sambo State Championships
On October 4th, 2009 the American Sambo Association
will host the Sixth Annual North American Freestyle Sambo Championships!
This year’s event will take place at the Rahway Recreation Center
in Rahway, New Jersey. The event will be jam packed with exciting
Sambo and no-gi grappling. As usual, the Sambo Association will
host our OPEN Freestyle Sambo Championships, which is open to all
Sambo, Judo, BJJ, Wrestling, and Grappling athletes – regardless
of political affiliation. They welcome Sambo players from the ASA,
AASF, and USAW to participate. In addition, this year the Sambo
Association will host no-kurtka (no-gi) submission or draw grappling
74kg 8 man challenge as well as a youth sambo tournament. This event
grows each year and in accordance with ASA regulations, all medallists
in the Sambo tournament will earn points towards our ASA National
Freestyle Sambo Rankings and the ASA “Master Sportsman” award. Be
sure to check the Sambo Association website for information about
these rankings and awards: http://ussambo.com/rankings.html
All tournament information can be found at the American
Sambo Association website. Preregistrations need to
be received by October 1, 2009 in order to receive the pre-registration
discount! Please contact Stephen Koepfer for more information at
718-728-8054.
Updates to Class Schedule
Former Golden Gloves Champ Ken Gonsalves is now
teaching a Boxing class at Aiki Academy on Monday nights in the
lower suite from 7-8 pm. and on Wednesdays in the lower suite from
7:10-8:10 pm. In addition, there is now Open Mat time for Sambo
on Wed. evening from 7:10 - 8:30 pm.
NAGA Battle at the Beach 10
Congratulations to all who competed in the NAGA
Battle at the Beach 10 held in NJ on 8/1/09. We are very proud of
everyone's efforts. Congratulations to Caterina Teodosio on her
third place win!
Holiday Hill Picnic Sunday 7/19/09
NAGA EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP
6/27/09 Results
Congratulations to all who competed in the NAGA
Championships in RI. We are very proud of everyone's efforts. Below
are the results:
Kevin Bango - 3rd
Nicolas Crotta - 1st
Bella Crotta - 3rd
Zachary DeMarco - 1st & 2nd (2 divisions)
Andy Kendrick - 2nd
Kyle Kenney - 2nd
Peter Murphy - 2nd & 2nd (2 divisions)
Caterina Teodosio - 1st
David Silverstone - 2nd
William Twyford - 2nd
Dennis Hill Promoted to 4th Dan
Chief Instructor Dennis Hill enjoys
promoting his students in the various arts that are taught at Aiki
Academy. It is great news that in April 2009 he was promoted to
4th degree Black Belt in Combat Hapkido by Grandmaster John Pellegrini
of the International Combat Hapkido Federation. Teaching, studying,
and practicing martial arts are his profession and avocation.
Luigi Mondelli from American Top
Team Visits Aiki Academy
Liugi Mondelli from Best Way Brazillian Jiu Jitsu/American Top
Team visited our school on Thursday March 19, 2009 to train our
adult MMA students as part of our affiliate program. We had a great
session and it was a privilege having Luigi as a guest instructor.
Kettlebell Certification Course
Congratulations to Mark Tomaszewsky
for completing his certification in teaching Russian Kettlebells
through the New England Kettlebell Association on January 15 &
16, 2009. Mark is a black belt instructor at Bushido Jujitsu Academy
in CT.
Congratulations
To All Our Youth Competitors!

Our youth competition team traveled to NJ on 11/9/08 for the North
American Grappling Championship sponsored by NAGA. All of our competitors
placed in the event! Congratulations to all!
Seve Burgos - Gold
Nicolas Crotta - Silver
Austin Gibilisco - Silver
Andy Kendrick - Gold
Ryan Murphy - Bronze
Matthew Sibley - Silver
Nico Sommo - Bronze
Jayme Toro - Silver and Bronze
Aiki Academy Hosts First Kettlebell
Certification

Aiki Academy hosted it's first 2
day kettlebell certification course on Thursday September 26th and
Friday September 27th, 2008. Congratulations to Andy Washeim, CPT
from Redding, CT and Joseph Ferrari, CPT from Somers, NY who passed
both the physical and written exam and are now certified in Kettlebells
through our New England Kettlebell Association, LLC.
Aiki Academy Hosting Kettlebell
Workshop
Aiki Academy is hosting two kettlebell
workshops in October for personal trainers and business owners.
Participants can choose one session either on Friday 10/3/08 from
11:00 - 12:30 pm or Saturday 10/11/08 from 2:00 - 3:30. We will
review all the major kettlebell lifts and how to teach proper form
and technique. Kettlebells are one of the fastest growing strength
and conditioning tools available for anyone who wants to improve
their overall body image or improve their strength and endurance.
The non-refundable cost is $49 per person and is due upon registration.
All participants must register before the workshop by calling Dennis
Hill at 203-484-2020.
Dennis Hill Promoted to 6th Dan
In July 2008, the World Jujutsu Federation officially promoted Dennis Hill, Chief Instructor at Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC to 6th degree Black Belt and bestowed him with the title of “Shihan” by the Federation (Shihan is a title that translates to Master Teacher).
Dennis has been a life time student of martial arts and it is truly his passion to teach and continue his martial arts studies. In his thirty-five (35) years in martial arts, he has spent much of his time studying many martial art disciplines including Japanese Jujutsu systems. If it were not for Japanese Jujutsu, many of the modern martial arts that we teach (i.e., Russian Sambo, Kodokan Judo and Combat Hapkido) would never have come into existence since they, along with many other martial arts, are strongly based in Japanese Jujutsu.
Dennis is honored with this recognition and looks forward to Aiki Academy's continued growth and ability to serve its students.
Aiki Academy Now Affliliated with American Top Team
Aiki Academy is now affiliated with Best Way Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / American Top Team Connecticut which is located in Danbury. Dennis is being privately trained by Luigi Mondelli, Master Black Belt / MMA Team Manager. Luigi has a very impressive BJJ background as follows:
2008 Panamerican Champion
2007 Panamerican Champion
2006 Panamerican Champion
2004 Panamerican Champion
2002 World Champion
2004 North American Champion
2003 North American Champion
2001 2nd National / Brazil
1999 Rio de Janeiro State Champion
With over 15 years of practice, Luigi is a certified black belt with many titles and a lot of experience training amateur and professional fighters.
Aiki Academy will begin to introduce BJJ classes to the curriculum in the near future.
Congratulations NAGA Competitors!

Pictured: Ryan Murphy, Nicolas Crotta, Mary-Kate Hall, Seve Burgos, Andy Kendrick.
Our Youth NAGA Team did exceptionally well at the regional NAGA New England tournament held in Massachusetts on Saturday 6/28/08. Below are the results for each child in their respective division. Congratulations to everyone who competed. We are very proud of you all. Thank you to all the parents and members who attended the event to support our school. Thank you to Paul Bergevin and Mike Hannon for helping to coach our team at the event.
| Seve Burgos |
Champion |
| Tyler Burzenski |
Silver |
| Nicolas Crotta |
Champion |
| Mary Kate Hall* |
Bronze |
| Andy Kendrick |
Champion |
| Ryan Murphy |
Champion
|
| Jessie Pelosi |
Champion (2 divisions) |
| Nico Sommo |
Silver |
*Our first female competitor!

NAGA
World Championship Results

Congratulations to all who competed on 4/6/08 at the NAGA World Championship Tournament in NJ. We sent a small team of five, coached by Paul, and once again are amazed at our talented students. Our entire team received medals!!! The following people placed in the tournament in their respective divisions:
Austin Gibilisco - Gold
Nicholas Crotta - Silver
Matthew Sibley - Bronze
Jayme Toro - Gold
Andy Kendrick - Gold
NAGA New England II will be held on 6/28/08 in RI. A team of fighters representing our school will be attending this tournament.
NAGA Tournament Results
Congratulations to all who competed in the New England Grappling Championship sponsored by NAGA in RI on 3/8/08. We sent a small team of five, coached by Paul, and we are very proud of everyone's effort! The following people placed in the tournament in their respective divisions:
Andy Kendrick - 1st Place
Jessie Pelosi - 2nd Place
Dan Coe - 3rd Place
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|
Jessie Pelosi (L) and Andy Kendrick (R) With Coach Paul |
Dan Coe |
All NAGA events are part of the nationwide ranking system entitled RANKED. Their goal is to determine who the best grapplers in the country are for various age, gender and skill levels. NAGA NEW ENGLAND was nationally Ranked.
AIKI Academy
Proudly Presents
Kenny Florian MMA/BJJ Seminar
Saturday April 26, 2008 Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC will be hosting its second MMA/BJJ seminar with Kenny Florian. More information coming soon. Kenny will be fighting another Bostonian, Joe Lauzon, on Spike TV on April 2nd during Ultimate Fight Night 13.
Please call 203-484-2020 to register. Please note: early registration suggested. This seminar was sold out last year and we had a waiting list.
Kenny Florian Seminar Photos
A new feature within the Photo section of our website is a link under the Kenny Florian seminar which goes directly to photographer Inger Schoelkopf's website. Inger is one of our members and has been our unofficial photographer for over a year. Many of her pictures can be seen throughout our website.
Within Inger's site is a collection of over 200 photos she took the day of the seminar. Inger placed the photos in an album for viewing and is also offering the pictures for sale if an attendee of the seminar would like a picture of themself or Kenny. The purpose of this site is to offer high qualtiy photos of the event to participants at a very reasonable price. There is no obligation to purchase the photos. Aiki Academy and Inger thought this would be a value added serivce to our members in case they forgot their camera or wanted a picture as a reminder of the day.
Ultimate Warrior Challenge I - Junior Elites
Our second school tournament was held on Saturday June 16, 2007. The skill level of all the participants was amazing. A big congratulations to all who participated and a big congratulations to Tori Ramada who won the UWC belt. Honorable mention to CJ Korn who fought hard and displayed awesome technique. It was wonderful to see all the participants applying the skills they learned from their instruction and displaying great sportsmanship as well.

Ultimate Warrior Challenge I - Juniors
The Ultimate Warrior Challenge I for Juniors went very well. A big congratulations to all who participated and a big applause to Jayme Toro who won the UWC belt. Honorable mention to Andy Kendrick who fought his heart out throughout the event and especially in the championship bout. We will offer more weight classes and will have multiple belts to be won. The winner of this tournament will compete in a Super Warrior Challenge with Jayme Toro (date to be determined).

The bodybugg™ is now sold at Aiki Academy!

Aiki Academy has become a licensed retailer of the bodybugg™, an innovative calorie management system by Apex Fitness Group™. While traditional weight loss programs focus on tedious calorie counting, bodybugg™ accurately tracks calorie expenditure automatically, providing a real-time view of actual calorie consumption.
bodybugg™ is not another pedometer. It is the most accurate device on the market today for measuring calorie expenditure outside of a clinical setting. It consists of a small armband that uses multiple sensors to determine calorie burn at all times and in all activities, and works in conjunction with a web-based program. While other calorie estimation devices such as pedometers and heart rate monitors rely on a single sensor, bodybugg™ uses multiple sensors that can measure calorie expenditure whether the wearer is sitting, sleeping, jogging, walking, etc.
The user also has the option to track what he or she eats (calorie intake) by logging food through an intuitive 18,000-item menu, which includes many fast food and brand name grocery products. With this information, the user can determine his or her calorie needs, and can then make food and activity choices that create a calorie deficit for weight loss, or meet their calorie needs to maintain a healthy weight.
The bodybugg™ program also features a comprehensive menu-planning function. The system creates a suggested menu based on the users likes and dislikes. Customized workout regimens and supplement recommendations are also available on the bodybugg™ website.
“With bodybugg™,” says Neal Spruce, Apex founder and CEO, “people have the ability to view actual food intake (calories in) and energy output (calories out), putting them in complete control of their weight loss results.”
For further information, contact Dennis Hill at 484-2020, visit the Apex website at www.apexfitness.com, or visit the bodybugg™ website at www.bodybugg.com.
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