About Southern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team

The Southern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team makes its home at the Childersburg Martial Arts Academy in Childersburg, Alabama.  While Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is our primary art and focus, instruction in boxing, kick-boxing and wrestling (all customized for MMA) is offered for those team members who wish to round out their mixed martial arts (MMA) game.

Our History

Long, long ago in a place not too far away, there was a streetcop (aka James Srygley) who learned of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and thought it would have applications in law enforcement.  In an attempt to learn, he purchased training videos, attended seminars and trained with friends to practice what he was taught.  Then a new friend came onto the scene from the deep South...São Paulo, Brazil type South.  Roger Costa brought with him black belt level instruction and training straight from the motherland.  Thus, the Southern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team was born.  Roger continued his travels between the US and Brazil for several years and then came September 11, 2001.  All was well for a while but then on a return trip to the US, the government believed that some male Brazilian nationals on this flight posed a risk to national security.  Therefore, all male Brazilian nationals aboard this flight were refused entry into the US.  Their visas were canceled and they were forced to return to Brazil.  Despite the best efforts of many people, Roger was not able to obtain another US visa.  ***UPDATE -- 12/18/2011 -- Roger has been granted a new visa and will be coming back to the US soon!

Undeterred, the team, lead by streetcop, continued to train and improve their skills.  In July, 2011 streetcop and two other team members were able to make the trip to Brazil.  They spent 2 weeks training and soaking up the sights in both Rio and São Paulo.  One of the members competed in the BJJ Worlds in Rio and brought home a silver metal.  While in Brazil, streetcop was awarded his black belt.