Learning This Combat Sport Is A Good Intro To Self-Defense. Dad Shares Why You Should Enroll Your Child

The grueling physical nature of combat sports is enough to dissuade many parents from signing up their children for a class. It’s easy to point out boxers like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire and how they’ve risked life and limb for world titles and worldwide recognition. Setting aside the pursuit of competition, the practice of martial arts undeniably presents physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits, especially to children.

None can be more true for Joey Lepiten, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ), and his eight-year-old daughter Cesca. Despite Joey's history as one of the pioneers of BJJ in the country, he’s never forced Cesca to follow in his footsteps. On the contrary, his daughter’s curiosity met with an opportunity in Little Foot Jiu-Jitsu Club, a program for kids initiated by her uncle Jerome, also a BJJ black belt.

“For us in the family, we never force the kids. If they really want to try it, then we’ll let them until they decide if it’s for them or not." —Joey Lepiten

“When my brother Jerome started Little Foot, Cesca immediately wanted to join her cousins, and so they all entered as beginners. At the start, they only did a few games and exercises in regular sportswear,” Joey said. 

After a few sessions, his daughter went up to him and asked, “Daddy, can you buy me a gi?” This was the first big step Cesca took in her journey towards winning in the competitive side of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

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An introduction to self-defense

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu was first introduced to Filipinos in the nineties primarily for self-defense. Professor Alvin Aguilar, a blue belt at that time, taught techniques passed on by the renowned Gracie family on how to defend oncoming attackers. BJJ instructors and students are required to train in the gi or traditional uniform, identical in karate and judo.

“I was a student in La Salle where I enrolled in Jiu-jitsu headed by Professor Alvin. Obviously, back then there were no kids classes and nag-start talaga kami mag-train matatanda na talaga,” Joey shared.

It took a long time for BJJ to become widespread in the country. Joey remembered how difficult it was to travel from school to Parañaque where Alvin’s gym was located just to train. On top of that, competitions and promotions only happened overseas. Amid the obstacles, Joey resolved to test out his skills and fly to the United States for the first time and compete in the Gracie Academy International Competition.

“First time ko pumunta to the US noon at turista agad ang feeling ko dahil bagong lugar. Nag-train ako with Americans at malalakas din talaga sila.” But that didn’t take away his focus in the competition, winning in his weight class and the absolute division and finally receiving his blue belt promotion from BJJ Grandmaster Rorion Gracie.

Back in the Philippines, the relatively unknown martial art was still finding its footing. Joey has seen BJJ students come and go, but over time, those who persisted were able to open their gyms until it evolved into a recreational sport that enticed many practitioners to participate in in-house tournaments and eventually special programs for young boys and girls.

Her biggest motivation and lesson

Cesca need not look far and wide to find her motivation in trying martial arts. Her father Joey has been active in local and international competitions either as a contestant or referee while she’s been watching from the sidelines. Her uncles and cousins are busy as well at the local gym. Contrary to what others might dismiss as nudging a child against her will, Cesca’s never been forced to step on the mats.

“For us in the family, we never force the kids. If they really want to try it, then we’ll let them until they decide if it’s for them or not,” Joey revealed. 

Circling back to Little Foot Jiu-Jitsu Club, Cesca got used to the movements quickly wherein she wanted to experience competing with fellow beginners, thus paving the way for a mini competition where she learned one of her biggest lessons through adversity.

"Mahirap pala na ikaw pa rin ang tatay at coach." —Joey Lepiten

“When Cesca first competed at Little Foot, she lost and ran to me in tears,” revealed Joey. “She faced a much larger opponent at mas powerful lang talaga sa kanya. After that, I told her ‘It’s okay to lose.’” 

The best is yet to come and it did

An incoming Grade 4 student under the co-education system of La Salle in Greenhills, San Juan, Cesca moved her training to Dojo Garage, which is minutes away from the school. Most of her training is under Coach Bryan Bartolome, a BJJ brown belt who also owns the gym. Here, she found that enjoyment and discipline go together with the technical lessons from Coach Bryan and bonding time with her teammates.

“Ang tumatak sa kanya nung sinabi ko, ‘it’s okay to lose as long as you did your best and there’s more competitions to come’ at sa akin naman, mahirap pala na ikaw pa rin ang tatay at coach,” admitted Joey. 

Fortunately, the atmosphere in Dojo Garage is both like a home and a classroom for Cesca. Coach Bryan’s daughter, Brielle, is among Cesca’s closest friends since they enter nearby schools, Poveda and La Salle. When time came to get ready for another competition, particularly the Flipsports - Asian Sport Jiu Jitsu Federation (ASJJF) International Open in Cebu City, Cesca put the past behind her with the guidance of her dad.

“In preparation for the competition, I made sure she was relaxed and not stressed out. I always tell her what to expect, what adjustments to make, and that she’ll be okay as long as she does her best,” Joey shared.

Once again facing larger opponents, one of which is high among the rankings, Cesca emerged victorious for the regular events and the super fight, claiming Gold medals in three categories.

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Know what your child likes (and doesn’t like)

“If you want kids to get into martial arts or combat sports, bring them into a safe environment where they can watch first. Marami kasi talagang nabibigla,” Joey’s advice came from his vast knowledge and experience in kids and adult classes.

He went on to suggest that if a kid doesn’t want to try Jiu-jitsu, no parent should force it, since many other sports are enjoyable.

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As for those showing interest, the fundamental movements on the mat like properly rolling and falling are so crucial for beginners—kids and adults alike. It’s all about finding a gym and coaches that the kid will feel safe and happy in. Getting them to put on the right sportswear like rash guards is also a good start, but it doesn’t have to be a gi immediately. According to Joey, her daughter was just lucky enough to be gifted two brand new gis by Venum Philippines, his sponsor in competitions.

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