Jorge Britto runs Toronto BJJ, one of Canada’s biggest and best BJJ academies. In this interview with BJJ Eastern Europe, Jorge talks about how he started training at Gracie Hunaita in Rio, his move to Canada, the training mentality in Canada, and how Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu has it’s own specific system of Jiu-Jitsu:

Hi Jorge, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe? 
My name is Jorge Britto, I’m 34 years old and a Black Belt 3rd Degree under Gracie Tijuca (Royler Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro and Viny Aieta). I am from Rio De Janeiro Brazil. I am a Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu representative in Canada teaching and training in Toronto. Two times World IBJJF NoGi Champion Master’s Division. 2010 ADCC European Champion and 5X Rio state Champion.

Please tell us about your Jiu-Jitsu story  and how you started training.
Started when I was 13 years old, in a small gym run by a Carlson Gracie Black belt, Fernando Silva (Nutri-baby). I continued there till I was 16 years old, where I then started training at Gracie Tijuca.
How did you end up in Toronto, Canada? How do see the growth of BJJ in Canada?
In 2008 my master Saulo Ribeiro invited me to teach full time at one of his affiliated schools in Toronto BJJ. I continue to see the growth of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu move forward and and increase in popularity. At Toronto BJJ we currently have over 500 members, all students come to one location.

Will we see some world champions come out of Canada one day?

We will definitely see World Champions come out of Canada, it is only a matter of time. You cn already see a lot of up and coming high level athletes now in the lower belts.
Tell us about your academy and students in Toronto. What do you do differently from other academies?
I truly love to teach! I love Jiu-Jitsu and Jiu-Jitsu is my life, and I try to pass on that love in every class I teach. We share our experience on the mats and endeavor to share and keep the philosophy and legacy of Master Helio alive. I don’t feel that we do anything different, all I do is work very hard and progress. Always trying to progress with an open mind. Following the guidance of Master Saulo.
How different is the training mentality between Canadians, Americans and Brazilians? (For competitors and recreational students)
I guess Brazilians are overall more competitive, you can see this trait not just in the competitors but in the recreational students as well. I see the American and Canadian practitioners achieving the same mindset because of their Brazilian instructors influence, passing the Brazilian mindset to their students.

Jorge with Saulo Ribeiro

What are your thoughts on ‘creontes’ in Jiu-Jitsu? Can that way of thinking regarding loyalty be applied to North America?

This is a difficult issue, if you treat each student as a commodity or just a client the student will also view the academy and professor as only a business and service. Leaving out the connection to the gym and instructor only results in no sense of loyalty felt by the student. Even though you can create the best environment it still can happen because it is the decision and personality of the student that will determine if they stay or go. I see this in competitors a lot, because they are in the end usually looking out for themselves and their own individual goals.
How would you define the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu style of jiu-Jitsu? How does differ from other types of schools?
I feel Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect combination of the Traditional and the Modern teachings of Jiu-Jitu. Competition is a very important aspect of jiu-jitsu, but not it’s key focus. We focus on our teachings and values of the “5 Blades” Attitude, Discipline, Family, Honor, Loyalty and Respect. We emphasize these so that students can apply these values to their everyday life.

What is next for you and your team in 2014? Is MMA still in your plans?
For sure MMA is still in the future, but right now my focus is on my students in Jiu-Jitsu to help guide them in reaching their goals and aspirations. Not just competitors, but also those who want to live the Jiu-Jitsu way of life.

If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free.

I want to thank Jesus first and foremost! I want to thank my family! ALL my students, every one of them! I want to express my eternal gratitude to my Masters. I owe them a lot! Saulo Ribeiro, Viny Aieta, Royler Gracie. A shout out to Kings Kimonos for their outstanding support. Joshua Rapport for his support and belief in myself and my projects. My entire team of instructors. Without these guys I could not build our family. I also want to thank BJJEE for the opportunity to talk a little about myself and the Jiu-jitsu I teach. I would like to extend an open invitation to the global Jiu-Jitsu community to come train with us at Toronto BJJ!