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  • Sebastian Alvial is Straight Blast Gym Atlanta’s Kids Martial Arts Student of the Month for June 2022

    General

    Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is about more than just fighting and self-defense, it’s learning how to overcome adversity and perseverance.

    Like a lot of mothers, Ashley Alvial wants her son to participate in extra curricular activites. When it came time to pick one, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu stuck out as a potential fit for Sebastian.

    We wanted to enroll Sebastian in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because we were looking for an athletic outlet for him while also finding something that would build his confidence.

    After visiting Straight Blast Gym Buford and watching a Growing Gorillas martial arts class, Ashley and her husband decided to enroll Sebastian in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Sebastian immediatly took to his new team and earned the respect and admiration of his coaches.

    Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach Byron Strickland said this about Sebastian:

    Sebastian is a trooper and never complains. He has a fantastic attitude and his willingness to learn and grow as a Jiu Jitsu athlete really stands out. I feed him to the wolves on sparring days because he’s taller and older than a lot of the kids, and because of that he’s been submitted by several of his more tenured teammates. When that happens I watch him to see how he’ll react, which is a really telling feature with both the kids and adults. Sebastian always takes it and stride and comes back for more. That’s just the kind of attitude one needs to grow in this sport.”

    Sebastian is picking up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu like a fish to water, displaying a great aptitude for his new sport. He attends classes regularly, listens intently, and trains hard..but safe. Coach Byron added this:

    “Over the past few weeks we’ve started to see Sebastian using the technique he’s learned when going up against his teammates. I have a feeling that he’s going to parlay that into being really good at this sport, and I’d imagine that will effect the way he carries himself outside of the gym too.”

    When asked what Sebastian likes most about training at Straight Blast Gym his mother realyed the following:

    My son really enjoys learning new techniques and getting to spar. He also looks forward to the games at the end. They are a lot of fun.

    When Sebastian is not training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with his teammates at SBG Buford, he can be found mountain biking or reading. He has also recently taken up fishing with his Grandfather. 

    Congratulations on being selected as Straight Blast Gym Atlanta’s Kids Martial Arts Student of the Month, Sebastian! Keep up the outstanding work.

    Jim Sheppard

    is one of the co-owners of Straight Blast Gym Buford and Straight Blast Gym Atlanta. He has been training / coaching / competing in Muay Thai since 2013 and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.