Every Month we pick a Student from the Academy as ‘Student of the Month’ and asked them a few questions of how has Gracie Jiu-Jitsu benefited them in their life mentally and physically as well as what impact has it made in their lifestyle so far. Many of our students come from a variety of different backgrounds and each with a different goal but ultimately, to learn the number one most important thing, SELF-DEFENSE, as most fights will most likely end up on the ground willingly or unwillingly.
The Student of this Month goes to…(drum roll) Hafiz! The guy that most people have problems figuring out if whether he’s Chinese or Malay? So guess no more as we help you find out! The friendliest dude and most playful one amongst many. Read our interview with him below to get to know him better and follow him on social media.
Name: Nurhafiz Bin Norrahman
Age: 27
Belt Rank: White (2 Stripes)
Years of Training: 3 Months
Other Martial Arts Experience: Muay thai , Boxing , Wing chun , Krav maga , Silat
Occupation: Immigration Officer
Social Media: FB – https://www.facebook.com/HafizCine
IG – https://www.instagram.com/hafizcine/
A simple mixed blood guy who is really playful and joke around almost every time.
2. HOW AND WHY DID YOU START JIU-JITSU?
How? I was doing a normal online shopping for muay thai pads on carousell when I noticed the ad (Gracie Singapore) in it. Upon having a basic knowledge in Jiu-Jitsu, I know that the gracies are the creator for this art, but I don’t have much interest on ground fights at that point of time. I actually planned to join in 2016 but due to commitments and not much interest, I totally forgot about the whole thing. Things started to kick in at the very end of 2016 when I thought about something like, I need to do something new and try to overcome the fear that I’ve always got trouble with, which is being in a confined space (claustrophobic). This fear started when I was being bullied at school and they shoved me into a small closet for god knows how long. So, I hope by doing jiu-jitsu often, I can overcome the fear of being in a close & tight position. Hahaha long story ?
3. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT GRACIE JIU-JITSU?
The humbleness in the art, the option that was taught to us to only engage when necessary. Prevention is the key to success I guess 🙂
4. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TECHNIQUE?
Straight armlock ☝?
5. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO’S STARTING OUT JIU-JITSU?
Go for what you love, don’t live your life with a boring habit of going work go home and repeat. If you find jiu-jitsu interesting, start now!! Follow me to a (bring a friend) class and you’ll see for yourself 🙂
6. HOW HAS JIU-JITSU BENEFITED YOU?
I’m more confident in self-defense, More outspoken than I was, More active (I need this) and hopefully to overcome the feeling of being a claustrophobic ??
7. FAVOURITE QUOTE/PHILOSOPHY?
‘There is no losing in jiu-jitsu, you either win or you learn’
8. FINALLY, I WANT TO SAY?
I would like to improve more on my skills and to accomplish in Gracie Combatives®, And continue the journey to blue belt. I would like to thank everybody at the Gracie Certified Training Centre for helping me out this far, I’m not good at helping but I will try my best to do so. And thank you Dan (Head Instructor) for giving me this chance to be the student of the month ??? OSSSS!!