Review: Masaru Short Sleeve Rash Guard

( Também disponível em Português! )


How awesome is Meerkatsu? Very awesome, that's how awesomely awesome he is.
Why you ask? Ok, you don't, but I'll still answer my own question to which I know the answer: because he went out of his way to send me this kick ass new Masaru Rash Guard he reviewed himself in his blog just a couple weeks ago. Actually, he reviewed a whole bunch of UK-branded rashies so you should definitely go over there and check it out.

Now, here are my own thoughts about this rash guard.

Análise: Preto & Branco - Tuff Fightwear Lightweight BJJ Kimono

( Also available in English! )

Após alguns meses a usar o gi Blitz Lutador e tendo começado a treinar na ArtSuave do Prof. Marcão, senti necessidade de ter um segundo (e terceiro) gis. Além de aumentar a quantidade de gis disponíveis, tinha em mente que fossem acessíveis mas com o mais qualidade possível e com um verdadeiro corte de gi de Jiu-Jitsu Brasileiro (BJJ) como deve ser, para variar.
A Tuff é uma marca Inglesa que vende material de luta em geral e este Lightweight Kimono - Kimono Leve - (ou mais correctamente, gi) tinha-me chamado à atenção há já uns meses. Diz a Tuff que este é o gi mais leve no mercado e que foi testado extensivamente para aguentar o rigor do treino, mas além disso o preço parecia ser perfeito para o que eu procurava...

Review: Black & White - Tuff Fightwear Lightweight BJJ Kimono

( Também disponível em Português! )

After some months using the Blitz Lutador and having joined Marcão's ArtSuave I felt the need to get a second (and third) gi. Besides quantity I was aiming at a cheap but quality gi which was fitted as a BJJ gi should be for a change.
Tuff is a british company who sell fightwear and their Lightweight Kimono (gi, actually) had caught my attention some months ago. They claim their gi is the lightest in the market and that it's tested extensively to withstand the rigors of training and the price seemed perfect for what I wanted.

Injuries and common sense

For the worst part of the last 8 months I've been through several degrees of an injury. As I had never been injured this seriously, at first I did not pay much attention to it even though it limited/hurt me in such simple things like turning the steering wheel while parking or picking up a backpack, but even though it's costing me dearly to be this limited, I have a much more clear and defined picture of what it means to be injured and how to behave in light of it both as an "athlete" and a health professional.

Design your own crazy-ass BJJ Gi challenge

Many times have I fantasized about how the perfect gi for me would be. The one gi that would make forget there were countless other gis for sale. I'd have it in the three legal colors (white, blue and black, preferably regular blue and navy blue) and five or six of them so I didn't have to do the laundry before the weekend even if I trained twice a day every monday to friday.
It would be lightweight, less than 1.8Kg for an A3, probably some kind of single weave (pearl weave seems to be the norm right now), it would have reinforced and taped triple stitching including in the sleeve cuffs and rope-style cord for the trousers. Also, tapered style keeping in mind tall slim guys like me. Well, it's for me so duh.
Also, and very important, it would have a clean look. I'd go with a discreet-eccentric design over the more obvious "look at me and recognize from afar" path every time. For example, I'd (and do, and will) use a pink mouthguard but wouldn't dye my hair pink. Confident discreet eccentricity - that probably sums it.

So, when my man Seymour aka Meerkatsu sent out a challenge to us BJJ Gi Addicts/bloggers, to design a crazy-ass BJJ Gi, I thought I'd have to push the eccentricity and be that bit more pretentious.
Another thing I thought was that I wouldn't design anything I wouldn't wear - even in competition if the chance presented itself.

So, here's what I came up with!

... and sorry in advance for my limited photochopper skillz.