Four-time world champion, Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles was in Toronto,  January 9^th and 10^th to train over 20 upcoming world class wrestlers at the City Adult Learning Centre Gymnasium, 1 Danforth Avenue. Over an action packed two-day clinic, “Cobrinha” tutored Jiu-Jitu students in art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “Cobrinha” is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, 4-time World Champion, 2-time No-Gi World Champion, and 3-time Pan American Champion.

Toronto, ON Canada, January 13, 2010:

Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelt Master and multiple world champion led clinics on January 9th and 10th at the City Adult Learning Centre Gymnasium, 1 Danforth Ave. Sponsored by TAKEDOWN MMA, Cobrinha provided world class training to mixed martial arts students over the two-day period. Cobrinha is world renown for his specialty, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Saturday January 9th “Cobrinha” schooled more than ten students in several advanced moves. Sunday, January 10th more than 15 attended the clinic. After both sessions, “Cobrinha” and individual students grappled in mock battle.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport, and a form of self-defense. BJJ focuses on grappling and ground fighting. With Rio de Janeiro having been awarded the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, it is expected that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will be a demonstration sport at those games.

About Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles: “Cobrinha” is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is considered the best featherweight in the decade and to be among the best pound for pound Jiu-Jitsu competitors in the world. “Cobrinha” started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in 2000, received his black belt in 2005, and has since won every World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in which he has competed – a total of eight. He is known for his attacking style of Jiu-Jitsu and, in particular, for his guard. The “Cobrinha” guard was voted the best Guard of the Decade by fellow World Champions. “Cobrinha” is an instructor at Alliance Martial Arts, in Atlanta, Georgia, the headquarters of the reigning world team champions, Team Alliance.

About TAKEDOWN MMA: TAKEDOWN MMA is a local organization that provides world class training in wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts for all ages. TAKEDOWN MMA was established by Dave Mair and Jay Jordon as an opportunity for students to receive world class training in a sport that teaches self defense. TAKEDOWN MMA provides weekly classes, a belt grading system, competitive opportunities, clinics by world renown coaches and practitioners, as well as long term development plans. Dave Mair, Olympic and National Team coach, is the head coach at TAKEDOWN MMA.

Watch for Reza Khanpanah from Team Iran to host clinics for TAKEDOWN MMA at the City Adult Learning Centre.

For additional information please contact Takedown MMA at:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or call 905-979-2844

Cruiz Manning is a two-time OFSAA Champion in the sport of freestyle wrestling. In 2008, he was struggling to complete high school at Newtonbrook Secondary School in North York. He found himself a few years older than the other students in his class and found himself in social circumstances that made it seem easy to miss classes on a regular basis.

This September, he decided to transfer to the downtown City Adult Learning Centre (CALC) Ed-Vance Program at 1 Danforth Ave. Cruiz had been introduced to the school through its commitment to the Toronto Wrestling Centre sponsored in consort by the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association (OAWA).

The Toronto Wrestling Centre holds training sessions in Olympic freestyle wrestling every weeknight and on weekends in a room called "The Education Centre" at CALC.

As of November 12 2009, Cruiz nailed three more credits at CALC and is well on his way to completing the rest of his high school credits by June. It was fortunate for him that he discovered CALC and the wrestling program that has been flourishing there. Although it's a bit of a commute from his home on Driftwood Ct. north of Jane and Finch, Cruiz says it's not a problem - he just hops on the bus and subway and he's there. The best part of going to school and training in the same place is that he doesn't have to commute twice.