NHB Gear Interview with Luis Pantoja

Luis Pantoja is one of the most active and decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belts on the east coast. He has been training in Jiu Jitsu with the Yamasaki family for 10 years. Highly regarded in the BJJ community as a technician and superior guard, Luis was the 2007 Pan American No-Gi Champion and Bronze medal winner in the gi the same year. His tournament wins over his busy career are too numerous to count

NHB: You started training with BJJ Black Belt and UFC referee, Mario Yamasaki, back in the day. What were the early days like? How were they different than training today?

LP: In my opinion we used to focus on the physical and conditioning aspects a lot more than anything else. Not to say that technique was not important but we (in the US) were not as exposed to new techniques and approaches as we are today.

NHB: I seem to recall a few challenge matches back then. Any stories you want to share?

LP: I do! Back in those days Mario would have me spar all the new guys, especially the big guys. He wanted to prove that a smaller person (me) could not only defend himself against a bigger and stronger opponent but also defeat them and control them. One time a new guy said to Mario that he didn't think that Jiu-Jitsu worked in a real fight and challenged Mario to prove him wrong. Mario told me to fight him after the class was over. So there I was weighing 130lbs against a probably weighted 170-180lbs who was more than ready to knock me out. The outcome: I took him down and choked him (until he tapped) but he never came back though.

NHB: As one of the few lighter weight students coming up, what do you think shaped your Jiu Jitsu game?

LP: Since I am pretty light (now 140lbs) I have always been put on my back, so developing an effective guard game was essential in order to train and compete against heavier guys. So my guard game developed a lot earlier and more efficiently than my top. Former Yamasaki student Guy Chapman helped to learn the guard game in the early days.

NHB: You have been described as a fast, technical grappler with and without the gi. How would YOU describe your style of BJJ?

LP: As technical first of all. Strength, speed, flexibility and explosiveness are great attributes to have and they have their proper place and time. They should NEVER be a substitute for technique, they should be compliments to an already good technical game. I confess that I am kind of obsessive when it comes to technique, I like to drill and do moves properly over and over. If the move works but is not a executed 100% with proper technique, I am not satisfied. I know that many don't agree with this but that is how I think.

NHB: What is your favorite submission or setup?

LP: Although I like to experiment with different techniques as much as I can, I love the Triangle choke! Like to set it up from closed guard, half guard, side mount and even mount.

NHB: Who are your top 3 BJJ influences and why?

LP: Francisco Neto, Fernando and Mario Yamasaki. Due to their guidance and knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu. They have been able to understand my game and helped me develop it. I still go to them for technical and strategic advise.

NHB: Top highlight of your BJJ career?

LP: 2007 was an overall good year for me because learned how to I tighten and sharpen my competition game. I was able to improve my mental approach to tournaments. A testament to this improvement was winning the Pan-Ams no-gi, getting bronze in the Pan-Ams with gi and winning the US Grappling gi division. One person that helped me a lot in this aspect was my friend Abmar Barbosa.

NHB: Who are your top 3 life influences and why?

LP: My mom because of her endless support and encouragement. My dad for inspiring resilience in me. Francisco Neto because of his guidance, both as my coach and friend.

NHB: What's more important in Jiu Jitsu, technique or heart? Why?

LP: Good question! It took me a while form an educated opinion regarding this matter. I think heart comes first and technique comes second. You need heart to be motivated to train and to deal with obstacles inside and outside of the mat. I think that having heart means to have the motivation and the flexibility to face challenges and overcome setbacks. In life and in Jiu-Jitsu we all get knocked down and it is heart that will get you back up, hopefully as a better person and as tougher competitor.

NHB: You have been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while now and you have a new location in DC. How are things going there?

LP: Yes I have been running the DC Yamasaki school for five years now. We have moved to bigger location in Woodley Park and things are going great.

NHB: What is the school like? Why should someone train there?

LP: Well, we have a great group of very motivated guys who are coming along great. In many aspects they are inspiration to me, I learn a lot with them. The school's vibe is very friendly and welcoming but make no mistake, we train hard and take Jiu-Jitsu quite seriously.

For more info on the DC Yamasaki school please visit www.bjjdc.com

NHB: If I was a new student what should I expect, besides being mercilessly beaten down and repeatedly tapped?

LP: Wouldn't be mercilessly beaten down! Not on your first class and if you have a humble attitude. However, eventually you will be tapped over and over. In Jiu-Jitsu this a fact and there is no escaping it.

NHB: From a coach's perspective, what are the two most important things a student must do to maximize progress?

LP: Dedication and humility are the most important things. Dedication is necessary to come train day after day. You can't expect to improve if you are don't train consistently, no matter how talented you think you are. Humility is also very important in order to learn improve. If your ego won't let you take advise and you freak out every time you get tapped, you won't last. On a personal note, I don't care how talented or good a student is, if he has a big ego I will make sure it gets shattered. If he develops humility, he will stay, if he doesn't I will kindly show him the door.

NHB: As both an instructor and a competitor yourself, how do you balance the two since one must suffer while focusing on the other?

LP: As an instructor I aim to give my best and to be there for my students. I think that part of being a good instructor is to train with your students, in order to judge their progress. So I train with my students a lot and even before tournaments I still with them at least partially. However, when getting close to competitions I like to train different partners and instructors at the other Yamasaki locations.

NHB: You have medaled multiple times at the Pan American Championships of Jiu Jitsu in both gi and no-gi. What is next for you competition wise in 2009?

LP: The New York Open and The Worlds in CA.

NHB: Other goals for 2009 and beyond, on and off the mat?

LP: Who knows? Maybe the Asian Open, I always have wanted to go to Japan.

NHB: Check out Luis' new school at www.bjjdc.com and look for him to be tearing up the mats on the tournament scene this year. Any parting words?

LP: Thank you for having me and I look forward to talking to you soon!