Photo: Jits.fr
France’s Damien Migai is a rising star in the the European BJJ scene. This 18 year old is 100% commited to making it in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. Damien spoke to BJJ Eastern Europe about his time spent training in Spain and Switzerland, his academy in Lyon, France and how he plans to win the next European Championships:
1. Hi Damien, can you introduce yourself to the BJJ community of Easter Europe?
Hi everybodyl, My name is Damien Migai, I’m 18 years and a 4 stripe BJJ blue belt. My team is Nova Uniao and since September I’ve decided to quit high school to devote myself to jiu-jitsu and competition, Main titles so far: First place French Championship – 76 kg, First place atFrench Open – 76kg, First place in Swiss championship – 70kg and absolute , First place Naga Paris no gi and gi -70, 2nd place at Desafio Azul (A submission only event with the best blue belts in Europe), firts place at Neuchatel Open, 1rst place Antibes Open, 1rst place Brixia Open etc…
2. Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in BJJ?
In 2008 I was part of a tae kwon club, and surfing You Tube I came across a video of jiu jitsu, and I liked it right away. I spoke to my teacher at the time, and he told me that there was going to be a BJJ brown belt that would come teach a grappling session. That’s how I met my teacher Cedric Rutty. Unfortunately, for the first two years I was only training 1 to 2 times a week, but from the third year I started training much and now I train all day long!
Damien with Pimpolho
Last summer I spent a week in Barcelona training with Pimpolho, and then two weeks in Geneva at Robinho’s, both are very good teachers! Going to school after such an experience was very hard so at the end of September, I decided with the approval of my parents to stop going to schoo and I moved to Switzerland where Robinho opened his home to me for two months. After that I went to Barcelona to prepare for the European championship with Pimpholo. At the moment, I’m back in France.
3. Tell us about your BJJ academy.
My main academy is in Lyon, France the BJJ section started this year so there are only white belts and my teacher Cedric, but it’s a great space. Almost every morning Cedric and I roll a lot, so that I can improve!
Damien with his instrcutor Cedric Rutty
4. You have trained and competed in France, Spain and Switzerland, among others, how do you see the level and growth of BJJ in these countries?
I’d say that the level in France and Switzerland is higher than in Spain.
But Spain has good fighters, just look at the videos of combat Desafio Azul, they are more focused on MMA unlike France and Switzerland.
There is a huge growth of Jiu-Jitsu in Switzerland and many Brazilians come teach and there are very good fighter that have emerged such as Ilke Bulut, Baddi Jordan and Thomas Oyarzun.
In France, there are many clubs, and a lot of people practicing as we could see in the championship of France or in certain categories where there was more than 50 fighters, I think that in the European Championship we can always count on medals from people such as Julien Da Silva, Anthony De Oliveira or Sacha Marguerite.
I only trained in two club in Spain so I can not say much about the growth, but Barcelona has a lot of clubs!
Robinho coaching Damien in a competition
5. What is your style of BJJ?
I’m pretty much a guard player, but recently I even taking down opponents and passing.
6. What are your plans for 2013?
In 2013, I will work during the two summer months tobe able to go train in Rio De Janeiro, or Natal to prepare me for my main goal of winning the European Championship!
7. If you want to thank sponsors and friends, you can.
Firstly I want to thank my parents without whom I would not be here, then Cedric Rutty, Robinho and Pimpolho my teachers.
I also want to thank my training partners, all the people that believe in me, and especially Raphael Levy of Jits Magazine France, who helps me a lot.
Special thanks to Kraken and VO2max grip trainers, but there is more room available on my Gi ‘for those who would like to help me in my future career. I especially want to thank BJJEE for this opportunity!
8. Damien thank you and all the best in 2013!
