News & Events

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20th Annual Seminar with Master Chai, Founder of the TBA-USA
April 20-21, 2013

LINXX Academy is excited to announce our 20th annual Thai Boxing Seminar featuring Master Surachai “Chai” Sirisute on April 20-21 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at our Red Mill location. Master Chai is the founder and president of the Thai Boxing Association of the United States (TBA-USA). TBA-USA is the oldest and largest Muay Thai organization in the country. Master Chai came to the United States in 1968 with a vision to spread the art of Muay Thai throughout the world. He is credited with being the first Thai Boxing instructor to teach Americans this art, working tirelessly for 40 years in that endeavor.

This intensive 2-day seminar will teach students new and exciting techniques ranging from elbow and knee strikes, clinch sweeps and throws, and intricate combinations. This is a great opportunity to gain new insight into Thai Boxing and learn from one of the greatest instructors of all time. During the event, there will also be an instructor certification test featuring top students from various schools in the area. Registration for this event is open to all LINXX students age 13 and up. We encourage all eligible students to participate in this unique seminar, especially Black Belt Club members!

The cost will be $75 for one day, and $125 for both days. Black Belt Club students will receive a discounted rate of $65 for one day, and $100 for both days. Space will be limited so a $50 deposit will be required at the time of registration. Please contact your respective school for more information.

Parents Night Out was a Blast!
February 16, 2013

On February 16, LINXX Academy hosted our Parents Night Out event at both the Kempsville and Red Mill locations. Black Belt Club students and their guest of choice had an opportunity to cut loose while their parents enjoyed a night without the kids.

The most popular activity of the night was the giant inflatable joust. Students tested their balance and coordination as they took their position atop a large pillar, and tried to knock each other off with a gigantic air filled joust! Another highlight to the evening was the NERF War, where students brought their own NERF weapons and mounted a full-scale battle on each other. With tactical advice from owner Frank Cucci, students utilized military techniques to overcome the instructor staff.

At the Kempsville location dinner was provided by Pizza Hut, while the Red Mill students dinned at Pappy’s Hot Dogs followed by dessert at Skinny Dip. After dinner, participants rotated through other activities such as a video game station, board game and craft station, and a dodge ball tournament. The night ended with super Sumo Wrestling, where students and instructors wrestled each other wearing sumo suits and jumbo style boxing gloves as they tried to knock each other out the ring.

On behalf of LINXX Academy, we would like to thank all of the staff, parents, and food service providers who volunteered their time to make the night a special one for our Black Belt Club members!

LINXX Academy Spring Break Camp
April 1 to April 5, 2013

Registration has begun for this year’s Spring Break Camp, which will be held from April 1 to April 5, 2013! Campers will enjoy a variety of fun and fast-paced team building games and activities, and of course martial arts training! Campers will also have fun boarding the LINXX Academy shuttle busses for daily field trips and excursions. The Spring Break Camp is open to all students and all skill/experience levels. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is limited to the first 30 students who register per location.

Parents can drop off students anytime between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and pick-up is between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. As an added convenience, we will offer late pick-up service until 6:00 p.m. Students who stay until 6:00 p.m. will have full access to our after-school enrichment room, which includes computers, TV/DVD, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.

Fees: Non-Members: $350
Members: $300
Black Belt Club Members: $250
* Multiple member families will receive a 25% discount off each child who enrolls after the first.

Meals:
Campers must bring their own lunches. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided each day.

Junior’s Thai Boxing Tournament
March 23, 2013

LINXX Academy is excited to announce that on Saturday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m., we will be hosting our annual Total Defense Thai Boxing tournament at our Red Mill location. This tournament is for Junior LINXX students only, age 7-13 years old. The tournament will feature two divisions: intermediate and advanced. The intermediate division will include students with 6 to 18 months of training, and will have limited contact rules with no strikes to the head, except during the finals. The advanced division, which includes students with over 18 months of training, will feature full contact rules. Each division will be separated into weight classes, broken out in 10 lb. increments, starting at under 49 lbs.

Students who have their own Top Ten sparring gear are required to wear it during the tournament (Blue Belt and above). For those students who do not have Top Ten sparring gear yet, LINXX will provide it for you. All competitors are required to bring their own groin protection, shin guards, chest protector, and a formed mouth piece. The uniform for the tournament will include regular uniform pants and a blue or black LINXX Academy t-shirt. Kempsville students will wear the blue t-shirts and Red Mill students will wear the black t-shirts. During competition students will not wear belts. Trophies and medals will be awarded during and after the tournament.

The deadline to register for the tournament is Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. The entry fee is $30.00. Students can register at either LINXX Academy location. Other martial arts school students are welcome and invited to participate.

Parents Night Out!
February 16, 2013

Junior LINXX Black Belt Club members are invited to join us for our Parents Night Out event on Saturday, February 16 at both our Kempsville and Red Mill locations. This event is designed to give our Black Belt Club members an exciting night filled with fun, games, food, and advance training, as well as to give parents a well-deserved night off! Activities will include jumbo glove boxing, inflatable quad joust, super sumo suite wrestling, and, new for this year, a NERF War (Students supply own NERF guns). Hamburgers, hot dogs, refreshments, and snacks will also be provided. The entry fee is $45 per child, and space is limited to the first 30 Black Belt Club members per school who register. All participants will be eligible to bring one guest between the ages of 8 and13 at no additional charge. Check in will begin Saturday, February 16 at 5:00 p.m. and students must be picked up no later than 11:00 p.m. that evening. Register today!

Importance of the Tip Test
January 09, 2013

As each student progresses towards the goal of Black Belt, he/she will eventually have to take a tip test. The tip test is a pass/fail examination given in between ranks, starting after a student earns Blue Belt. It serves as a way for the instructor to check the status of a student’s progression and see if there is a specific area which they need to improve before advancing.

For students in the Total Defense program, the tip test is performed early in the week prior to graduation and assesses a student’s ability to perform a variety of self-defense movements to demonstrate knowledge and effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Students perform hip throws, releases, and other counter-techniques to defend against the most common and realistic situations, including grabs, holds, chokes, and headlocks. Tip tests can be very challenging for young students and may require extra practice at home with a training partner, such as parents or siblings. We also encourage students to spend extra time with instructors after class, and taking a 30-minute private lesson is always a good option.

For students in the Master LINXX Thai Boxing program, the tip test is performed on graduation night and includes performing high-intensity endurance rounds. The endurance rounds assess the ability of the student to effectively put together both offensive and defensive techniques in a situation that simulates an actual match. It is an interactive assessment of physical fitness, endurance, and skill level. Students compete against a pad holder and are required to perform a certain number of strikes in a given time, all while defending themselves from the pad holder’s attacks. By performing self-defense techniques at this level, students gain confidence in their overall training. To prepare for tip tests, we recommend students include some extra jogging into their daily workout routine to increase cardio endurance, additional bag work after class or at home, or take a private lesson with the instructor of your choice.

The LINXX Master’s Club
January 09, 2013

The study of martial arts is something that you can do forever, and can easily become a lifelong journey. Students who have earned the esteemed rank of Black Belt have proven they have a sound foundation in the fundamentals. They have the knowledge and skills that will enable them to grow and build upon what they have learned. This is why we have developed the Master’s Club, for students who are on a quest to continue moving forward beyond Black Belt and become true masters of their craft.

Students are often in awe when they see our instructors execute incredible moves, like when Evan Taylor performs his spinning back kick at graduation, or when Frank Cucci, Jr. and Dan Brooks perform dynamic striking combinations. What students often don’t realize is that none of these individuals have ever stopped training. They may have achieved Black Belt 10 years ago, but chose to go onto the path of mastery. Not only do they enjoy martial arts training, but it has helped in their lifestyle in becoming more focused and disciplined.

The Master’s Club requires a significant investment in time and dedication, and can become one of the most rewarding aspects of your life. Once in the Master’s Club, there are several Black Belt degrees that students can strive to achieve. The first opportunity is 1st degree Black Belt, which is a 12-month program designed to sharpen and perfect your skills. Beyond that, students train for 2 years to advance each degree level.

The choice to continue growing as a martial artist beyond Black Belt is truly up to the individual. We push all of our students to earn Black Belt, which is a significant achievement that will always stay with you. Joining the Master’s Club is a personal decision, but we strongly encourage you to continue training. For students who simply wish to maintain their knowledge and skills, we offer the Black Belt maintenance plan which allows you to train once a week. For those who want to continue their journey and become a true leader among our community, the Master’s Club is for you.

The Art of Persistence
January 09, 2013

Persistence is the single most important attribute of a successful martial artist. Persistence can be defined by a number of different character traits, including concentration, desire, discipline, ambition, regular attendance to understand the movements, constant awareness of what helps or hurts progress, and, finally, belief in your ability to perform. The biggest evolutionary steps originate in the mind, while muscles, lungs, movements, and ability to perform simply help express those steps. In other words, if you believe you can do it, you eventually will.

Through trial and error, LINXX Academy hopes to have found a healthy balance between providing a very challenging environment as well as a supportive place of learning for students. Since our humble beginnings, we have held thousands of tests, including belt tests, endurance round tests, combination tests, physical fitness tests, and tests in character and morals, to name a few. Each test is important in its own right. From time to time, students fail certain tests, whether from lack of preparation and attendance, not showing enough heart during an endurance round, or simply being unfit. Regardless of the reason, these failures, if used correctly and with the right persistent mindset, can be extremely valuable to one’s growth.

These failures are paramount because they inspire students to persevere, and try harder the next time. Success and fulfillment rarely inspire or require introspection. Students will always learn more about themselves from their failures. It is important for students to know that if the desire and will are there, your fellow students and instructors will support you and help you succeed. It is rewarding to the entire Academy when a student fails, thinks it over, remakes or remodels him/herself, and then tries again. With enough persistence and an “all in” attitude, a student can pass any test and ultimately reach any rank or goal.

Featherweight MMA Title
November 17, 2012

On November 16, 2012 Kiejon James of LINXX Academy entered the ring for his debut Thai Boxing fight in this year’s Elite Fighting Challenge (EFC). The event was held at the Wave Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and featured amateur Thai Boxing and MMA bouts. LINXX instructors Dan Brooks and Chris Cappa were in Kiejon’s corner for support and coaching. Kiejon utilized knee strikes in the clinch position, along with stinging body shots and several well timed kicks to overcome his opponent after three rounds in a unanimous decision by the judges. Congratulations to Kiejon for all of his hard work and dedication that paid off in his first Muay Thai victory!

Featherweight MMA Title
November 17, 2012

On November 17, 2012 LINXX Academy’s Mackenzie Semerzier (“Mack”) defeated Gilbert Jimenez for the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) Pro U.S. Featherweight Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Title. The bout took place at the Crowne Plaza in Richmond, Virginia in the Combat Sports Challenge (CSC) 34. LINXX owner Frank Cucci and head Jiu-Jitsu instructor Nestor Bayot were in Mack’s corner. After a tough first round battling it out in the clinch position and then on the ground, Mack won the bout by way of submission early in the second round. He improved his professional fighting record to 10-4 and looks forward to continuing his journey back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). On behalf of LINXX Academy, we would like to congratulate Mack on his victory and thank all of those who made his training camp a success!

Mackens Semerzier Fights for the WKA Pro U.S. Featherweight MMA Title
November 17, 2012

On Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., LINXX Academy’s Mackens Semerzier (“Mack”) will square off against Gilbert Jimenez for the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) Pro U.S. Featherweight Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Title. The bout will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Richmond, Virginia in the Combat Sports Challenge (CSC) 34. Mack is coming off of an impressive second round submission victory over Guillermo Serment this past August in Xtreme Fighting Organization (XFO) 45.

Mack has been training and coaching at LINXX Academy for over seven years. He began his competitive career as a wrestler in high school, and at the age of 19, Mack joined the United States Marine Corps. During his Marine Corp career, he began boxing as well as incorporating other martial arts such as Thai Boxing and Jiu-jitsu. Little did he know that all of these elements would help him on his way to becoming a professional MMA fighter. His competition experience includes bouts in the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mack holds a professional record of 12 wins and 7 losses with 1 no contest, with fight statistics of 19 percent striking, 26 percent takedowns, and 54 percent submissions. This upcoming event represents his journey back to the UFC. Through the face of adversity, Mack, who has always aggressively pursued his goals, hopes that another definitive win will secure his place back into the realm of the UFC.

Jiu-Jitsu Team Competes at the Virginia Beach Field House
October 27, 2012

On October 27, 2012, the LINXX Academy Jiu-Jitsu competition team went to the Virginia Beach Field House to compete in the U.S. Grappling submission grappling tournament. Team LINXX did an outstanding job, winning 7 Gold medals, 13 Silver medals, and 4 Bronze medals! The following adult competitors represented LINXX Academy: Khris Gonzalez, Patrick Trinidad, Deandre Corbe, Briar Nelson, Mike Burns, Emil Consolacion, Mike Burns, Ray Pearson, Guy Inman, and Matt Lindsey. The following junior competitors also represented LINXX Academy: Logan Hight, Elijah Brown, and August Trinidad. Great job Team LINXX!

Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj Muay Thai Seminar
October 20–21, 2012

On October 20–21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the LINXX Academy Red Mill location will be hosting a Muay Thai seminar by legendary fighter and trainer Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj!

Sangtiennoi is considered one of the top Muay Thai fighters from the 1990s, which is considered by many to be the golden era of the sport. Also known as the “Deadly Kisser,” Sangtiennoi earned his nickname by giving his opponents a peck on the cheek brief moments before knocking his opponent out or giving them a loss. Sangtiennoi competed against the top stars of his day, including Ramon Dekkers, Jongsanan Fairtex, Kongnapa, and Dany Bill, just to name a few. He won championship titles at both of Bangkok’s top Muay Thai venues: Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums. In addition to his own fighting prowess, he has transitioned into a successful trainer, producing many of his own world-class championship level fighters.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to train with one of the legends of the art of Muay Thai. This seminar is open to all levels, and will be an excellent learning experience to help improve your overall game. For more information please contact Ryan Russo at 495-7070 (Kempsville) or Mike Paulson at 689-0680 (Red Mill). Space is limited to 40 participants, and a $50 deposit is required at the time of registration.

Judo Team Competes at the Takemori Open Judo Championships
October 13, 2012

On October 13, 2012, LINXX Academy’s Junior Judo competition team traveled to Hyattsville, Maryland to compete in the Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Takemori Open Judo Championships. Our Judo competitors represented LINXX Academy well against some tough competition, which included 16 teams from 5 different states. Team LINXX finished third overall in team points and brought home 4 Gold medals and 1 Bronze medal!The following Junior Judo competitors represented LINXX Academy: Coach Ari Miller, Cami Miller, Blake Griffith, Eli Valov, and Maverick Metcalf. Congratulations Team LINXX!

Fun and Good Times at “Buddy Day” and “Parents as Coaches” Events
September 15 and 22, 2012

Buddy Day

The 2012 LINXX Academy Buddy Day was a huge success! We would like to thank everyone that came out and supported us on Saturday, September 15 to help make this year’s Buddy Day the most successful in LINXX history. We had 80 participants between both schools that enjoyed an action-packed day of fun team-building activities and learning basic martial arts techniques. Everyone left with a handsome gift of gratitude from LINXX for their contribution and participation at the event.

Parents as Coaches

On behalf of LINXX Academy, we would like to thank all of the parents and students who attended this year’s Parents as Coaches workshop held on Saturday, September 22. We had 36 participants come out during this fun and informative workshop, led by owner Frank Cucci. Parents learned some basic pad holding skills, experienced the speed and power with which our students perform their techniques, and were taught ways to help their child prepare for their belt testing. We appreciate your support and engagement in building your child’s success!

Upcoming Competition Team Tournaments
October 27, 2012 - November 15, 2012

The LINXX Academy Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing competition teams will be ramping up for two major events coming up this fall. 1) The U.S. Grappling Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling tournament; and 2) The Elite Fighting Challenge (EFC), which includes Thai Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

U.S. Grappling

On October 27, 2012, U.S. Grappling will be holding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling tournament at the Virginia Beach Field House. This event will have divisions for men, women, and juniors between ages 4 and 17. Nestor Bayot will be the head coach for the adult and junior Jiu-Jitsu competition team. Training will begin on Wednesday, September 5. Junior Jiu-Jitsu students must be a Yellow Belt or above to be eligible to compete, and specific training for students who wish to compete will be provided during normally scheduled classes. Adult Jiu-Jitsu students must hold the rank of White Belt with two stripes or above to be eligible to compete, and the competition training schedule will be as follows:

• Mondays, 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Kempsville
• Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Red Mill
• Fridays, 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Red Mill
• Saturdays, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kempsville

Elite Fighting Challenge (EFC)

On November 15, 2012, the EFC will be held at The Wave Convention Center. Students interested in competing in Thai Boxing must have at least 6 months of training. Students interested in competing in MMA must have at least 12 months of training in Thai Boxing, and have a Blue Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Tryouts will be held on Monday, September 17 at our Kempsville location from 7:15 – 9:00 p.m.

For more information on these tournament, please contact Ryan Russo at 495-7070 (Kempsville) or Mike Paulson at 689-0680 (Red Mill).

“Parents as Coaches” Workshop
September 22, 2012

Success in the martial arts requires willing participants and skilled instructors. However, success in teaching children requires a more essential component: supportive and engaged parents. Whether it is helping your child understand the deeper meaning of the STAR assignment, or helping him/her prepare for an upcoming belt test, parental support is vital to a student’s growth.

To that end, we will be offering a free workshop called “Parents as Coaches.” The focus of this class is to teach parents how they can practice with their children at home to improve skills or prepare for a belt test. While everyone is welcome, we have found that the Parents as Coaches class is especially helpful for parents of newer students (Blue Belt and below). Topics covered in the Parents as Coaches class will include:

• A general overview of the strategies and techniques used in our martial arts system (5 minutes).
• An explanation of our curriculum testing requirements (5 minutes).
• A demonstration and explanation of major techniques (10-15 minutes).
• How to use focus mitts and kicking pads to help your child practice at home or prepare for an upcoming belt exam (35-45 minutes).

Please join us for this fun, informative and interactive workshop, which will be held at our Red Mill location on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. All Junior LINXX students and parents from Kempsville and Red Mill are invited to attend.

Junior LINXX Buddy Day
September 15, 2012

The LINXX Academy of Martial Arts is gearing up for another fun-filled Buddy Day on September 15, 2012 at both our Kempsville and Red Mill locations. This is a great opportunity to support our school, and share with others the values and benefits of martial arts. Junior LINXX students (ages 7-12) of all ranks may invite a buddy (or family member) to participate in a special, action-packed introductory class of practical self-defense techniques and fun team-building activities. In addition, all Buddy Day participants, both students and their invited guests, will receive a special “gift of gratitude” from LINXX Academy.

Please note that all regularly scheduled classes for that day will be cancelled for this event.

Event Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
Invitations: Invitations will be passed out on Monday, September 10, 2012.
RSVP: RSVP is required by September 12, 2012

Cami Miller Earns Bronze at the USA Judo Junior Olympics
July 20-21, 2010

On July 20-21, Cami Miller and her father/coach Ari Miller travelled to Irving, Texas to compete in the 2012 USA Judo Junior Olympic National Championships held at the Irving Convention Center. Cami began her training at LINXX Academy in March of 2010, and she has competed in a number of regional Judo tournaments leading up this event. Prior to the competition, Cami got the opportunity to train at the USA Stars Olympic Training Center in Moore, Oklahoma under Pat Burris, who is Ari’s former coach, a two-time Olympian, and the former Olympic Judo team coach. Cami fought some tough matches at the USA Judo Junior Olympic National Championships, and earned herself a Bronze medal. LINXX Academy would like to congratulate Cami on a job well done!

LINXX 2012 Summer Camp Still Has Open Slots
July thru August 2012

LINXX Academy’s 2012 Summer Camp is in full swing, and the past few weeks have been filled with much excitement, hard work, and excursions to various places around the area. All summer camp participants have been enjoying a great time and, with more than four weeks of camp remaining, there is still plenty of room to join the fun.

Students begin the morning with a jog, stop at the park for a little fun, then return to the school for training sessions, team building activities, and games. Training sessions include Thai Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu classes, physical training, and even introductory lessons in stick and knife defense. When the kids aren’t working hard on the mat, they are out on the town in the new LINXX Academy turtle top buses, traveling to numerous fun destinations. Some of the places visited include the playground at Mount Trashmore, Reboundz (an indoor trampoline gym), the Virginia Aquarium, and Lynnhaven 18 movie theatre. Other destinations, such as Sea Shore State Park, Pin Boys Bowling Alley, and the Rock Wall, are still on the schedule to be visited. In addition to the martial arts training and field trips, the campers also spent time tapping into their creative side by making paracord bracelets.

Kids age 6-13 are eligible to participate in the week long camp, which runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All campers participating in more than one week of camp get 25% off any additional camp weeks! Signing up is easy – just visit LinxxAcademy.com for a simple and quick online registration. Our camps are well staffed and planned to the hour to ensure the perfect balance of productivity and fun. We are looking forward to having your child join us this summer!

Jiu-Jitsu Competition Team Competes at JGA and NAGA
June 2 and June 23, 2012

On June 2, the LINXX Academy Junior Jiu-Jitsu Competition Team participated in the Junior Grappling Association (JGA) Submission Grappling Tournament at the Virginia Beach Field House in Virginia Beach. Team LINXX placed 2nd overall, and consisted of August Trinidad, Blake Griffith, Brody Abdow, Cami Miller, Deandre Corbe, Eli Valov, Jaxson Turner, Mico Picardo, Parker Hill, Ryan Holt, Tyler Balfe. Our competitors earned 10 Gold medals and 10 Silver medals.

On June 23, the LINXX Academy Jiu-Jitsu Competition Team traveled to the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Virginia to compete in the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Regional Championships. NAGA is the world’s largest mixed grappling tournament circuit with over 160,000 competitors worldwide. Representing Team LINXX was Coach Nestor Bayot, Cami Miller, Deandre Corbe, Gavin Corbe, Guy Inman, Kai Lockhart, Kirill Vaag, Lisa Phillips, Mike Burns, Patrick Trinidad, Raiford Pearson, and Troy Lancaster. Our competitors took home 8 Gold medals, 8 Silver medals, and 2 Bronze medals.

Junior Thai Boxing Tournament
May 12, 2012

Sixty participants from four different schools turned out for the LINXX Academy of Martial Arts Junior Thai Boxing Tournament on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Competitors aged 7-14 were placed into two divisions: intermediate and advanced. The brackets were broken down further according to weight, experience, and gender.

LINXX Academy founder, Frank Cucci, opened the tournament with a quick rules and regulations meeting, and then the action began. Intermediate level competitors limited their attacks to body punches, clinching, knees, foot jabs and leg, body and head kicks. Full contact was reserved for advanced-level bouts, as well as final rounds of each weight class for intermediate brackets. The rules for full contact bouts allowed strikes to the head, body, and legs by using kicks and hand strikes. Simultaneous bouts were held in three separate rings, attended by three judges and a referee.

One of many notable fights was between Deandre Corbe and Trident Academy student Daniel Glover. Utilizing the clinch and knee strikes, Deandre pulled off an impressive and dominate victory over his opponent. Both fighters showed great form and technique as well as a strong determination to finish. LINXX would like to thank all of the competitors and volunteers who helped make this event a success!

Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt Promotions
April 25, 2012

LINXX Academy is proud to announce that the following three students have been promoted to the rank of Purple Belt: Shawn Johnson, Dave Lockhart, and Chad Metcalf. This is a very significant accomplishment. In order to progress to Purple Belt, students must acquire a vast amount of technical knowledge and spend hundreds of hours on the mat learning how to implement these moves efficiently. This includes a minimum of 40 months of dedicated training and 600 classes. In addition, students must pass a knowledge test and practical exam that is administered by a panel of Black Belts.

Highlights from the 19th Annual Thai Boxing Seminar
April 21-22, 2012

LINXX Academy proudly hosted its 19th annual Thai Boxing Seminar featuring Master Chai Sirisute on April 21–22 at our Red Mill location. Master Chai is the founder and president of the Thai Boxing Association of the United States (TBA-USA). TBA-USA is the oldest and largest Muay Thai organization in the United States. Master Chai came to the United States in 1968 with a vision to spread the art of Muay Thai throughout the world. He is credited with being the first Thai Boxing instructor to teach Americans this art, working tirelessly for 40 years in that endeavor.

During the intensive two-day seminar, LINXX students learned a variety of techniques ranging from elbow and knee strikes, to defending the clinch with powerful sweeps and throws. Students also had the opportunity to train with the legendary Master Chai. The highlight of the weekend was the much anticipated instructorship test. Four of the Academy’s best where tasked with completing this grueling rite of passage. Abdallah Daher, Mackens Semerzier, Khristopher Gonzalez, and Jacob Turpin all earned there apprentice instructorship. The afternoon was topped off by Mr. Frank Cucci earning the status of “Ajarn” which translates to “Teacher” in English. This honor is the highest possible instructor status. We thank everyone that participated in the seminar and congratulate those who earned their instructorship!

Muay Thai Fighters Compete at WKA Nationals!
March 30 - April 21, 2012

LINXX Academy sent its Muay Thai Competition Team to the World Kickboxing Associations (WKA) North American Championships held at the U-Turn Sports Complex in Richmond, Virginia on March 30 to April 1, 2012. The event included United States, Canadian, and Mexican competitors, but it was also a platform to select members for the WKA U.S. National Team that qualified to represent the United States at the WKA World Championships.

The event included both junior and adult divisions. The junior division included ages 13-17 and K-1 rules, which allows elbows to the head with elbow pads. The adults division (ages 18+) used K-1 Thai Boxing rules which allowed clinch/knee and elbows allowed to the body. Winners of the K-1 rules division and open division qualified for the U.S. National Team to travel to the 19th annual WKA Amateur World Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Representing LINXX Academy in the adults division was Johnny Chacon. Johnny ended up competing in three fights. The first two fights he won by unanimous decisions, which qualified him for the finals. Fighting for the WKA North American Title, Johnny lost by a decision in a very tough and competitive bout. Great job Johnny on making it to the finals!

LINXX Academy was represented by the following competitors in the juniors division: Deandre Corbe, Shannon Morris, and Jacob Turpin. All three competitors did an outstanding job representing LINXX Academy. Deandre lost a very close decision to a seasoned fighter in a fight that many considered to be the fight of the tournament. Jacob Turpin fought valiantly, but lost in a decision against an opponent that had a 15 lbs. weight advantage over him. Shannon Morris fought with tremendous heart and won first place and a WKA Championship Belt. Deandre and Shannon were both invited to compete at the WKA Amateur World Championships.

Congratulations to coaches Dan Brooks, Khristopher Gonzalez, and Nestor Bayot and the Competition Team! Go Team LINXX!

2012 LINXX Summer Camp
June-August 2012

School is almost out and LINXX Academy is eagerly preparing for our 2012 summer camps. Summer camps are open to students, friends, and family ages 7-13 and of all skill levels. Camp activities will emphasize physical training and martial arts skill development. Participants will have the opportunity to condition with LINXX instructors while engaging in fun activities that promote teamwork, respect, and discipline.

• June 18-22
• June 25-29
• July 2-6
• July 9-13
• July 30 – August 3
• August 6-10
• August 13-17
• August 20-24

Space for summer camp is limited. Please see the front desk at your respective LINXX Academy location for more information and to sign up today!

Junior LINXX Thai Kickboxing Tournament
May 12, 2012

LINXX Academy is excited to announce our Junior LINXX Thai Kickboxing Tournament to be hosted at our Red Mill location on Saturday, May 12, 2012! We will start off with a general rules meeting at 10:00 a.m., and competition will begin at 10:30 a.m. The tournament will consist of two divisions: Beginner and Intermediate. Each division will be divided into the following weight classes:

• Up to 49 lbs.
• 50-59 lbs.
• 60-69 lbs.
• 70-79 lbs.
• 80-89 lbs.
• 90-99 lbs.
• 100-109 lbs.
• 110-119 lbs.
• 120 lbs. plus

The Intermediate Division, which includes students with 6 to 18 months of training, will feature limited contact rules with no punches to the head. The finals match, however, will allow for punches to the head. Our Advanced Division, which includes students with 18 months of training, will feature full contact rules.

LINXX Academy will provide competition-style boxing gloves and headgear. All competitors are required to have a groin protector, shin and instep guards, karate-style chest protector, and a formed mouth piece. LINXX Academy student uniforms will be regular uniform pants and a blue LINXX t-shirt. No belts will be worn during competition. Awards will be presented both during the competition and at the conclusion of the tournament.

The registration deadline for the Thai Kickboxing Tournament is Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. No exceptions! The entry fee is $25 for each competitor and $15 for each additional family member who competes. Students can register at either LINXX Academy location. Other affilate martial arts schools are also invited to participate.

Virginia Beach Field House to Host BJJ Competitions
April 28, 2012

On Saturday, April 28, 2012 the Virginia Beach Field House (2157 Landstown Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23456) will be hosting The Good Fight: Battle at the Beach. This is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling tournament. There will be divisions for kids, teens, men, and women of all ages. Early-bird registration will be available until April 21, 2012. The cost for competing in one division is $69.00 or two divisions (both Gi and No-Gi) is $89.00. Late registration is available from April 22-26. For late registration, the cost for one division is $75.00 or 2 divisions is $95.00. On-site registration for one division is $80.00 or two divisions is $100.00 CASH ONLY!

To register online go to http://www.thegoodfight.tv/virginia_open.html

Also, on Saturday, June 2, 2012 the Virginia Beach Field House will be hosting the Junior Grappling Association BJJ and Submission Grappling Tournament. This is a kids only event. The pre-registration deadline is April 14, 2012. The cost for competing in one division is $70.00 and two to four divisions is $90.00. On-site registration for one division is $80.00 and two to four divisions is $100.00. Spectators will be charged $10.00 at the door and children under the age of 6 are FREE!

To register online go to http://www.jrgrappling.com/registration/

If you or your child is interested in competing, please contact Ryan Russo at 495-7070 (Kempsville) or Mike Paulson at 689-0680 (Red Mill).

19th Annual Master Chai Seminar
April 21/22, 2012

LINXX Academy is proud to announce the 19th annual Thai Boxing Seminar featuring Master Chai Sirisute on April 21st and 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the LINXX Red Mill location. Master Chai is the founder and president of the Thai Boxing Association of the United States (TBA-USA). TBA-USA is the oldest and largest Muay Thai organization in the United States. Master Chai came to the United States in 1968 with a vision to spread the art of Muay Thai throughout the world. Master Chai is credited with being the first Thai boxing instructor to teach Americans this art, working tirelessly for 40 years in that endeavor.

During this intensive 2-day intensive seminar, you will learn the latest techniques and gain a new insight into this effective martial art from one of the greatest Muay Thai instructors of all time. Registration for this event is open to all LINXX students age 13 and up. We encourage all eligible students to participate in this unique seminar, especially Black Belt Club members!

The cost will be $75 for one day, and $125 for both days. Black Belt Club students will receive a discounted rate of $65 for one day, and $100 for both days. Space will be limited so a $50 deposit will be required at the time of registration. Please contact your respective school for more information.

Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Competition Teams Put to the Test!
February 18/25, 2012

On February 18, the LINXX Academy Judo Competition Team traveled to Annandale, Virginia for the USA Judo 2012 Virginia Open Championships. LINXX had a strong finish with 10 competitors earning first, second, or third place medals. Adult division competitors Chad Metcalf, Johnny Chacon, and Alex Shleifman all earned Gold medals and Jason Henderson earned a Silver medal. Youth division competitors Cami Miller and Maverick Metcalf earned Gold medals, Gavin McNeil earned a Silver medal, and Eli Valov, Blake Griffith, and Chase Lassiter earned Bronze medals. Congratulations to Sensei Ari Miller, head coach of the LINXX Academy Judo Competition Team, and the 11 competitors!

On February 25, the LINXX Academy Jiu-Jitsu Competition Team traveled to Ashland, Virginia for the US Grappling RVA tournament. LINXX competitors brought home first and second place medals and some in multiple divisions. Katelyn Schneider earned a Gold medal in the No-Gi division and Khris Gonazalez won a Gold medal in No-Gi and brought home a Silver medal in the Gi division. Patrick Trinidad earned a Silver medal in both the Gi and the No-Gi divisions, and Kirll Vaag won a Silver medal in the Gi division. Congratulations to coaches Nestor Bayot and Chuck Isenhour and the six competitors!

New Schedule for LINXX Red Mill Youth Total Defense Program
February 6, 2012

Effective February 6, 2012, LINXX Red Mill will be implementing a new schedule for youth students (age 7-13) in the Total Defense Program. There will now be separate beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. The purpose of this schedule change is to improve student to instructor ratios and prevent overcrowding on the mat area. The schedule change will also improve our instructors’ ability to focus on specific rank requirements to better prepare students for their advancement tests. If there are any questions or concerns please contact Mike Paulson at 757-689-0680.

LINXX Judo Program is on the Rise
January 7, 2012

Ari Miller is the Black Belt Sandan, or head instructor, of the LINXX Academy Judo Program. He began his competition career at the University of Oklahoma, where he wrestled and began studying Judo in 1994. His credentials include a National Judo Coach certification from USA Judo, a 1997 American Sambo Championship title, and a 1997 Pan American Championship title. He also currently holds a Blue Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.

Thanks to Sandan Ari Miller, LINXX Academy’s youth and adult Judo programs have steadily grown. On January 7, 2012, the first LINXX Academy Judo belt ceremony was conducted for the youth program, where Maverick Metcalf and Cami Miller were promoted to the rank of Yellow Belt. We are proud to announce these students as the first to receive their belt promotions in the LINXX Academy Judo Program! We look forward to seeing the Judo program continually grow in strength, size, skill, and experience throughout this year.

Jeff “Big Frog” Curran Seminar
December 6, 2011

On Tuesday, December 6, LINXX Academy hosted a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) seminar with Jeff “Big Frog” Curran at our Kempsville location. Curran is a former student of Frank Cucci at LINXX Academy and currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Pedro Sauer. Curran has a professional fighting record of 33 wins, 14 losses, and 1 draw in a wide range of MMA experiences from around the world that make him a force to be reckoned with in the ring. He has fought at a number of different weight classes for a large number of organizations, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championship, International Fight League, and King of the Cage.

The MMA superstar started off the seminar with No-Gi grappling techniques that have helped him gain so much recognition in the MMA community. Curran taught several submission Jiu-Jitsu moves, including various types of chokes. He also taught students how to incorporate different strikes while grappling, which is the main feature in MMA fighting. Throughout the seminar, Curran was very hands-on in assisting the students and ensuring they learned every detail of each MMA technique. Before closing out the workshop Jeff fielded a variety of questions, ranging from different techniques and submissions to how his Jiu-Jitsu game has evolved throughout his career in MMA.

First Black Belt Club Lock-In Was a Blast
December 3, 2011

On December 3, LINXX Academy hosted a Black Belt Club (BBC) lock-in at our Kempsville location. With pillows and sleeping bags in hand, 55 students gathered at the Academy ready to learn some new martial arts techniques, and most importantly, have fun with their fellow BBC members! The night began at 7:00 with a brief rules meeting and then the excitement began. Everyone had the opportunity to participate in a variety of games, activities, and workshops throughout the night. The most popular was the giant inflatable quad joust. Four students at a time tested their balance and coordination as they took their position atop a large pillar. Armed with an air-filled joust, students swung them around and tried to knock each other off their pedestals. Another highlight to the evening was a weapons training workshop with instructor Dan Brooks, where students learned self-defense techniques using rattan sticks and wooden knives. The last activity of the night was a team dodge ball tournament. Competition was fierce, as teams ducked, dipped, and dodged to victory!

Special thanks all of the staff and parents who volunteered their time to make the night a special one for our Black Belt Club members.

Team LINXX Jiu-Jitsu Tournament Success!

The Team LINXX Jiu-Jitsu competition teams successfully represented LINXX Academy at two separate events the weekend of November 12, 2011. Our Junior LINXX Jiu-Jitsu competitors battled it out at the Junior Grappling Association (JGA) North American Championship Tournament held in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the adult competitors squared off at the U.S. Grappling Submission Only Tournament held in Ashland, Virginia.

Representing our Junior LINXX Jiu-Jitsu competition team was Deandre and Gavin Corbe. Deandre and Gavin competed in various divisions to include Gi, No-Gi, and advanced levels. Deandre (106 lbs) won 8 gold medals as well as 1 bronze medal in an exhibition match against a 160 lbs opponent. Gavin won 2 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. The two brothers were the only competitors from LINXX Academy, but they earned enough points to take home a first place team trophy! In addition, Deandre was awarded a plaque for earning first place in season points. Kai Lockhart was also recognized for earning second place in season points for his age group. Great job Deandre, Gavin, and Kai!

The adult Jiu-Jitsu competition team also had some impressive results. Khristopher Gonzalez, Kris Moe, Patrick Tinidad, and Lisa Phillips competed in various divisions, to include Gi and No-Gi, at the intermediate and advanced levels. In this particular competition, no points were scored and there were no time limits. The only way you could win was by making your opponent tap-out! Khristopher Gonzalez brought home a gold medal in the advanced No-Gi division and a silver medal in the Gi division; Kris Moe won a silver medal in the advanced No-Gi division; Patrick Trinidad won a gold medal in the Purple Belt Gi division; and Lisa Phillips won a gold medal in the intermediate No-Gi division, a silver medal in the Gi division, and a silver medal in the absolute Gi division. Great job Team LINXX!

LINXX’s Own, Mackens Semerzier, to Fight in UFC on Fox

On Saturday, November 12 at 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Mackens Semerzier of LINXX Academy will square off against Robert Peralto in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Anaheim, California. Mackens, or “Mack,” has been a staple at LINXX for over six years. He is a tremendous athlete who aggressively pursues his goals. He trains hard in every class and continually strives to better his skills and technique in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). His dedication and drive are what makes him such an asset to LINXX and a fierce competitor in the UFC.

Mack has a professional fighting record of 8 wins and 3 losses, with a fight history of 19 percent striking, 26 percent takedowns, and 54 percent submissions. This event marks Mack’s second fight in the UFC, following his impressive UFC debut against Alex Caceres, who he submitted with a rear naked choke in the first round. Mack said, “I couldn’t be more excited for this fight. My coaches and training partners at LINXX Academy have prepared me well.” The event will also feature a heavyweight title fight between current champ Cain Velasquez and top contender Junior Dos Santos, which will air live on Fox TV. The preliminary fights, including Mack’s fight, will be streamed live on FoxSports.com and Facebook.com/UFC. LINXX instructor Nestor Bayot, along with Jeff Curran and Ian Alexander, will be in Mack’s corner for the fight. Please tune in to support our LINXX contender!

“LINXX is not just a martial arts academy. It represents a culmination of the finest martial arts in the world, forged together to form a complete and comprehensive fighting system, that is second to none,” said Mack. “It is an honor to represent LINXX Academy and I will unleash that fighting system on November 12.”

LINXX Students Compete in Thai Boxing Smoker

Congratulations to Demetrius Williams and Johnny Chacon for successfully competing in their first Thai Boxing smoker event on Saturday, October 29 at Bushido Martial Arts Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia. Both Demetrius and Johnny fought hard and made a great representation for LINXX Academy. Instructors Dan Brooks and Khristopher Gonzalez were in their corner for support. Thanks to Bushido Academy for hosting a great event. (From left to right: Khristopher Gonzalez, Demetrius Williams, Johnny Chacon, Dan Brooks).

October 15 Junior LINXX Sparring Tournament Results

LINXX Academy hosted an exciting Junior LINXX Sparring Tournament on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at our Redmill location. Altogether, we had over 50 competitors ranging from 7 to 13 years old. Fighters were divided into two divisions, Intermediate and Advanced, and then matched up by gender and weight class in the single-elimination tournament.

Before the tournament began, Mr. Cucci explained the rules for each division. Intermediate division competitors were allowed to punch the body, clinch, and kick the legs, body, and head. Advanced division competitors were also allowed to punch the head. Each of the two rings accompanied a referee, two corner men, a timer, and a three-judge panel. Top fighters were awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies and all competitors received a commemorative medal. All of the competitors put in a tremendous effort using their Thai Boxing skills.

Special thanks to our sponsors who helped support the event: Bounce House, Dairy Queen, China Dragon, Skate Dojo, AMF Lynnhaven, Key West Chillin’ Yogurt, and Quiznos. Mr. Cucci concluded the tournament by praising their efforts and reminding all of the competitors of the importance of winning with humility and losing with honor. As expected, all of the students embodied the values and traditions of LINXX Academy.

Welcome Aboard
September 1, 2011

Khristopher Gonzalez has been training and competing with LINXX since 2005. He currently holds a black belt in Muay Thai under LINXX Academy. Khristopher Gonzalez has competed in many events and held the 2007 Total Cage Combat 155 pound title, The 2007 Global combat alliance 155 pound title, the 2007 WKA 155 pound title, and earned a spot on the WKA 2010 world team for USA. He also holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is now 9-0 as an amateur fighter.

 

Group Exercise Classes
August 1, 2011

Our Fitness Program Manager, Sarah Saunders (http://www.linxxacademy.com/about-staff-Management.html), is offering group circuit training classes starting Monday, August 1, 2011. Circuit training is a unique and fast-paced way to get and stay in shape! The class is organized in a circuit training format, using specific exercise equipment, with each station of work lasting 30 seconds, followed by a 15 second recovery. This allows each person to work at their own pace while easily accommodating all fitness levels. Best of all, you’ll have fun while getting a great fat-burning, total body workout in just 30 minutes! You will leave feeling strong and energized for the rest of your day!

Classes will be offered at our Red Mill location on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7am. Everyone is welcome and you do not have to be a LINXX Academy member to participate. The first class is free so invite a friend and join Sarah on Monday, August 1 at 7 am. The class drop-in fee is $8. You can also purchase a 10 class package for only $50.

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