 Congratulations to all competitors who represented the school today with exceptional performance and discipline. Special acknowledgment to Grandmaster Relson for attending and supporting the team as they submitted nearly every opponent. With eight matches and seven submissions, Kaven earned the unique honor of having Grandmaster Relson tie on his newly awarded yellow belt at the podium. Team Results Jay Jay Gold Bronze Aria Gold LC Gold Silver Jayden Gold Silver Noa Gold Silver Peace Gold Bronze Noah Gold Kaven Gold Gold Gold Thank you, Grandmaster Relson, for the gift of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Congratulations Noa Yamashiro on achieving Gold in gi and no-gi at the Hawaiian Triple Crown this weekend! Great job Noa! Thank You Rich Stover for your support and coaching. Noa was the only entry this tournament and stoked on his performance!
 Congratulations to RSA competitors at the 2025 NAGA in Honolulu, Hawaii. We are grateful for everyone who represented our academy with great courage, humility, and technical success. Results below:
Jay Jay Hansen Gold Gi Gold No-Gi Aria Wong Gold Gi Gold No-Gi Peace Wong Gold Gi Diego Chang Gold Gi Suren Yaghmai Gold Gi Kaven Santos Silver Gi Sarai Wong Silver Gi Silver No-Gi LC Awaiya TBD  We’re feeling nothing but humbled and grateful after this past weekend’s competition. Our team showed not just skill, but heart, perseverance, and the spirit of jiu-jitsu.
Silver x2 – Jay Jay (2) We are deeply thankful for the support of our teammates, families, and community. These results remind us that while medals shine, it’s the growth, lessons, and spirit on the mats that matter most.  We’re happy to share that Kaven Santos brought home gold at the 2025 IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu CON Kids International in Las Vegas. In a stacked division of 28 competitors (including the reigning Pan American champion) Kaven rose to the occasion with four dominant performances, submitting each opponent in the Gracie family tradition, and stood humbly at the top of the podium. His success reflects not only his dedication and the steady support of his dad, but also the guidance of teammates and coaches who helped prepare him for this moment. Special thanks to Noah Sonoda, Noa Yamashiro, Peace Wong, Atlas James, Coach Stover, and the entire team in their role in Kaven’s journey. At RSA, we believe loyalty and gratitude are the foundation of growth. As Cicero once wrote, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” We also recognize Elijah Pape for stepping courageously into his first major IBJJF tournament. Though he missed the podium this time, Elijah showed composure and grit against top-level opponents, a strong beginning to his path at this stage. Both Kaven and Elijah embody the spirit of team fidelity, discipline, and hard work. Congratulations to them on their performances and the example they set for RSA.
New Check-in System
Please check-in before every class. If there are any mistakes regarding class number or dates, please update your information Here as soon as you can. Cancellation Policy Reminder If you’re on autopay, please remember to submit cancellation requests before tuition is processed. This keeps everything fair and consistent for everyone. At RSA, we don’t use contracts or long-term agreements—our school runs on mutual trust and the commitment of our families. Steady tuition support allows us to sustain our programs and continue providing quality instruction. We’re grateful for your understanding and support. By honoring this policy and planning ahead, you help us keep our community strong and thriving.  Daniel • Rama • Andy • Johnny • Keawe • Colonol • Brison • Dylan • Kielen Rickson Gracie discusses the significance of training depth, revealing the mindset that has defined his legendary life and wisdom in martial arts. Citation: Gracie, Rickson. “Rickson Gracie (Jiujitsu / MMA Legend).” YouTube, uploaded by PlugOneTwo, 9 Dec. 2014, https://youtu.be/TMf2lAc-bso?feature=shared. In a segment featured below from the Fighters Advice YouTube channel, world-class competitor, coach, and historian Robert Drysdale (5th-degree black belt under Léo Vieira, IBJJF World Champion (2005), and ADCC Absolute World Champion) shares powerful insights on what truly shapes success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Drysdale, who is widely respected across the global BJJ community, including here at RSA, challenges the belief that success depends on elite training environments. Instead, he emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining the right mindset, getting your values straight, taking full accountability, and resisting the influence of today’s feel-good, self-esteem-driven culture that can often hinder real growth. His message thoughtfully reflects themes we’ve explored in our earlier post, while offering a candid and timely perspective. Full credit to the Fighters Advice channel for producing and sharing this valuable conversation. Gold & SILVER RESULTSGold x 5 Finn Noa Noa Noah Styles Silver x 4 Brison Ken Peace Styles Congrats to everyone who competed at the June 7, 2025 Hawaii Triple Crown—every competitor earned a medal. Great job!
In a culture shaped by trends, the value of loyalty can quietly fade. This exploration, grounded in psychology, philosophy, and lived experience, suggests that lasting growth is less about variety and more about depth.
 “In the crucible of challenge and responsibility, gratitude may deepen into humility, or entitlement may harden into pride. We invest deeply in time, care, and belief but there are no guarantees. And still, day by day, we continue not out of naivety, but from steady conviction. Because there are those, solid to the core, who rise above the ego, proving that light still breaks through the abyss of disappointment and our spirits are lifted by hope in a newer generation, one shaped by a culture purposefully grounded in the timeless values of honor, loyalty, respect, and enduring promise.”    All active RSA members will receive special pricing on any preowned vehicle at any of Servco’s Oahu locations.
• Servco Toyota Honolulu • Servco Toyota Leeward • Servco Toyota Windward • Servco Subaru Waialae • Servco Subaru Honolulu • Servco Lexus Honolulu Please contact Justin at: (808) 778-7207 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment. We are honored to announce a truly special event at RSA. Since Relson Gracie’s return to Brazil a few years ago, our appreciation has only deepened for the rare privilege we had in learning from him here in Hawai‘i. As one of the original Gracie brothers who helped ignite the global martial arts revolution, Relson Gracie remains a living legend and a direct link to the roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is a rare opportunity to learn from the source, and we strongly encourage everyone to mark their calendars and be part of this moment in our academy’s history. We will also be holding a special promotion ceremony during the event, and your presence and support will mean the world to all those celebrating their journey. Thank you for being part of the RSA family — we look forward to seeing you there!
In our BJJ classes, I’ve sometimes observed that some students deal with frustration and the desire for perfection especially during challenging drills or competitions. These feelings are natural, yet they can sometimes hinder progress and enjoyment.
To shed light on these experiences, I’ve curated a series of videos by Dr. Patrick Cohn, a mental game coach specializing in youth sports psychology. These resources explore emotional hurdles young athletes may face and offer different ways of understanding them:
Understanding the Impact: Three Key Concerns 1. Increased Risk of Anxiety and Depression Children who feel pressured to be perfect often experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression. This can stem from fear of failure, comparison, or external expectations. 2. Heightened Frustration Leading to Performance Decline Excessive frustration can negatively affect performance. When kids focus more on outcomes than learning, it can lead to tension, mistakes, and loss of motivation. 3. Burnout and Loss of Interest in the Sport When perfectionism and pressure persist over time, some young athletes feel mentally and physically exhausted—often losing interest in the activity entirely. 4. Disruption of Flow: the Optimal Learning State The constant stress of needing to perform perfectly can prevent children from entering flow: a deeply focused mental state where learning, enjoyment, and peak performance converge. As highlighted in my master’s thesis on peak performance, flow is essential for meaningful development. Without it, learning becomes forced and mechanical rather than natural and fulfilling. These examples highlight common psychological challenges that come up in youth sports, particularly in BJJ. Parents and coaches who understand these emotional responses may be better positioned to support long-term growth and enjoyment. With over two decades of experience teaching kids and a background in psychology focused on growth and performance, I’ve found these topics to be especially important. Still, you know your child better than anyone. These videos and ideas are just shared as food for thought and something to consider and adapt however feels right for your family. Thank you for your continued support and for trusting us with your child’s development. Your involvement plays an important role both on and off the mat. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools vary widely in structure, goals, and culture. This overview offers a clear look at how RSA’s mastery-focused approach differs from more commercial models, helping students and families better understand what defines the training experience.
We are pleased to announce that our small kids (ages 5-7) classes are now open for new applications. Intermediate level classes will commence at 5:15 pm and continue until 6:15 pm. Beginner students (ages 5-7) will have their sessions from 5:15 pm to 5:55 pm. For a detailed overview of the updated schedule, please visit our Schedule Page. Aloha!
My brother Dr. Shiraki has had some great local commercials for HBC for over two decades, this is my favorite. Congratulations to Juno, Kevin, and Rich on receiving their Brown Belts tonight. A great accomplishment for three great guys. 
 Congratulations to the latest Jiu-Jitsu Hawaii Black Belts: Sean. Wade and Craig. All of your dedication and hard work has brought you to the next phase of your journey. Thank you for all your service in helping the next generation and the "class" you've all demonstrate in your activity. A true honor to say the least. Congratulations to Justin and Kalani also received their second degrees on their Black Belts and to Johnson who got his Purple Belt. Amazing Job guys. No short cuts. Remember your lineage/roots and many will be inspired by your character for years to come.
We are also very stoked for Harold, Richie, Daniel, and Kaven on their amazing performance at this weekend's tournament. Amazing job guys. |
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