Welcome to Beyondgrapplingandfitness.com (my new web address)

My name is Matthew D'Aquino. I am 26 years old and am passionate about all forms of grappling. I have been studying Judo for 20 years and have represented Australia at 8 Continental Championships, 4 World Championships and competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

I have also competed in various World Cups, Grand Slams and Grand Prixs all over the world. I have trained in some of the hardest dojos in the world, including Yong Inn University in Korea, Tokai University in Japan, INCEP in France, Pollymunka in the Czech Republic and Sankaku Club in Slovenia.

My best results include being the first and only Australian Male to win the Pac Rim Championships in 2009, Multiple Australian & Oceania champion, World Cup Champion and 17th 2010 World Championships in Tokyo.

I also compete in Freestyle Wrestling and Brazilian Jujitsu competitions in and around Australia. My best results include: 1st No-Gi Purple-belt Submission Grappling National championship -67kg, 1st Royler Gracie Cup Purple belt 2009 -74kg and 2nd at the National Freestyle Wrestling Championships in the -60kg division.

My Philosophy: I am passionate about teaching and passing on my knowledge and experience to others. My philosophy is simply "If I haven't done it, I won't teach it." I believe this is a crucial element to my teaching. It means that in everything I teach, I am familiar with and have a deep understanding of how to complete each exercise, workout or grappling technique.

The reason why I have been so successful in my Judo career is due to the fact that I have significantly better fitness and conditioning than my opponents. I put this down to the demanding workouts I put myself through week in, week out. I train using a variety of bodyweight exercises as well as barbells, kettlebells, tyres, rowers, dumbbells, ropes, bands and medicine balls in order to be as physically prepared for each competition that I can be.

Make sure you save and bookmark my new web address www.beyondgrapplingandfitness.com

Pic of the Week - Te Guruma

The role of Judo throws in MMA

The art of the throw in mixed martial arts is somewhat misunderstood by fans and commentators alike. When the majority of damage in MMA is inflected by strikes, and the majority of submissions are achieved with holds, what role can throwing people around possibly have?

Throws in MMA achieve three things: the possibility of damage and fatigue, control of distance and position, and frustrating your opponent. On the first point, using leverage to hurtle your opponent through the air can cause harsh impacts with the cage or the mat. These impacts can possibly bruise muscle or break bones. However, each impact is a drain on the opponent's stamina. Throws can be used as an element of beating the inferior conditioning of your opponent.

As most Judo practitioners know, throws are an excellent ways to pick where you will engage your foe. If you want to clinch, throwing your opponent up against the cage is an excellent way to reposition and stun them at the same time. If you want to get them on the ground, but avoid the wrestling aspects that a slam might bring about, a throw to the ground is a great option. Of course strikers want distance, so a throw that sends your opponent away from you and allows you to step back can be an important part of a fighter's tactics.

The frustration factor of a good throw shouldn't be underestimated. Not only does the throw 'score' with the judges on many levels (damage and ring control for starters), but they look quite impressive. This can be embarrassing for one's opponent, and take them out of their game plan. Throws also eat up the clock, meaning that as the fighter is scoring points, he's decreasing the amount of time that his foe has to gain them back.

MMA superstars like Fedor Emelianenko (taking third place twice in the Judo world cup), Chun Li (San Shou world champion), and Karo Parisyan (second in Judo's U20) all understand and use the power of throws in the context of their MMA combat. Given their levels of success, more fighters should probably consider more cross training in one of the throwing arts.

Taken from

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ycn-6887374

Modern Judo Clip by Garyants Gor

Ippon of the week - Harai Goshi in wrestling

Wrestling Videos on Flowrestling

Seoi in MMA

2004 Athen Olympian for the USA Rick Hawn does a nice Seoi nage and finishes with some nice hammer fists. The throw is at 1:16.

2010 World Champ Highlight Reel

Pic of the Week - Sumi Gaeshi

Slovenian Rok Draksic throwing with a nice Sumi Gaeshi in the Dusseldorf Grand Prix

Ippon of the Week - Harai Tsuri komi ashi

A huge throw - perfect timing and awesome judo

Pic of the Week - Ippon!

An Ippon is to land your opponent flat on their back with force and control

The Judoka

"The judoka does not perfect himself to fight, he fights to perfect himself."

Ippon of the Week- Kouchi

Brazil Highlight reel

Here is a highlight reel i made of the Rio Grand Slam and Sau paulo world cup. I just filmed that are real throwers
Enjoy

Pic of the week - Kosoto Gari

Zantaraya throwing choi for ippon with a kosoto gari in the 60kg final.

awesome highlight reel of dusseldorf world cup
http://www.blip.tv/file/3411803?filename=Tatami-2001IJFDusseldorfJudoHighlights222.mp4

Huge Uchimata - Great photo

This is a great uchimata that was one of the ijf's ippon of the day. It was an awesome setup and very powerful entry. You can see in the 2nd photo how both girls are in the air at the same time. that shows huge commitment from the thrower and tremendous power.

"Attack with power...

not strength."


Thanks to TopJudo for awesome photos

Judo highlight reel

I saw this highlight reel on youtube and surprisngly it is the judo of today. Most of the footage is of the late 80s and early 90s judo competition. And this is the style of Judo of today.

Pic of the Week

If at first you lose, do what your coach told you to do.

Osoto Gari

Osoto Gari or, major outer reaping throw, is usually the first technique taught to beginner judo players, and thus people tend to believe its a 'beginners throw.' Many greats including Kimura, Yamashita, Geesink and Yoshida all had very devastating Osoto garis that won very large international tournaments.

Osoto gari in action
(look out for the first throw which was performed by kimura on Helio Gracie)


My instructional (mind the unkempt gi)


A combination when the osoto gari is blocked by your opponent

2 Pics of the week

The awesome hard to take action shots of judo.