Hey Everyone, this is Victor Raphel.

 

First I would like to congratulate every single one of you who competed in the 2008 International NAGA grappling competition. It takes guts and a special type of person to step on a mat and compete against someone who wants to physically hurt you. This sport is not meant for the weak and that is what we teach at FFA, to have no fear no matter who the opponent is. At this NAGA we had one of the best results we have ever had. I am truly proud of how we united as a team.We really got that FFA pride going and it helped us gain that second place trophy out of over 100 teams. We were not just representing ourselves but the family name and our school which we love and hold dear. But this is just the beggining of our legacy. I know in my heart by next NAGA we will take home the overall first place trophy and celebrate our victory. God Bless you all and see you training soon. Love you guys. I got some of the pics of from the results from the NAGA website but I got all the results for you right here.

 

P.S. I wanted to congratulate a special person. This person truly showed FFA spirit by going against one of the top grapplers in the U.S. today and gave a 100%. No one had the guts to compete except our team mate. This NAGA the FFA Outstanding Grappler Award goes to Melissa Rivera. Congratulations. Well deserved.

 

NO-GI:

  

NOVICE:

  Flyweight: 1st place-Roger Ogopi

 

  Featherweight: 2nd Carlos Cainas

                       3rd Andy Santos

 

  Welterweight: 2nd Enrique Vazquez

 

BEGGINER:

  Welterweight: 1st Andres Rybacki

                      3rd Jonathan Lee

 

  Middleweight: 1st Nelson Santos

                     2nd John Chavez

 

INTERMEDIATE:

  Featherweight: 2nd Reinerio Ortega

 

  Welterweight: 2nd Mike Rio

 

  Heavyweight: 1st Dale Anderson

                     3rd Greg Bloomberg

 

EXPERT:

  Featherweight: 2nd Pablo Alfonso

 

 

DIRECTORS:

  Intermediate lightweight: 1st Jorge Viera

 

MASTERS:

  Begginer Middleweight: 1st Nelson Santos

 

  Intermediate Featherweight: 2nd Reinerio Ortega

 

  Expert Super Heavyweight: 3rd Ryan Johnson

 

WOMEN BEGGINER LIGHT WEIGHT: 1st Melissa Rivera

 

WOMEN EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT: 2nd Melissa Rivera

 

 

 

GI:

 

DIRECTORS BLUE BELT LIGHTWEIGHT: 1st Jorge Viera

 

GI:

 

KIDS:

  Novice 115-129.9 lbs: 1st John Alvarez

 

  Begginer 115-129.9 lbs: 2nd Andy Gonzalez

 

  Begginer 60- 69 lbs: 2nd DJ Birmingham

 

NO-GI:

 

  Intermediate 60- 69.9 lbs: 3rd DJ Birmingham

 

 

Congrats everyone, so proud of all of you!!

Sincerely, 

Victor Raphel