In this new series Black belts will be interviewed specifially about their first tournament.  They will further explain the training and life lessons taken from that experience. Today we talk with Gracie Barra Black Belt Tim Bruce. He represents GB LA Beach in Florida and Jupiter Boxing.

OTM: What was your first exposure to jiu jitsu and when did you decide to train in the gentle art?

In the history of martial arts, few names stand as tall as Miyamoto Musashi. This unconquered, self taught swordsman has inspired so many different kinds of people its hard to fully measure his impact. MMA fighters,  BJJ practitioners and business men across the globe read his classic Book of Five Rings as a source of motivation. When watching movies like Twilight Samurai, Shogun Assassin, Twilight Samurai or cartoons and comics like Usagi Yojimbo and Samurai Jack- they all contain elements of Musashi's philosophical DNA.

When Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) began to rise in North America, it was written off by many as a joke. Today we recognize it as one of the most important sports of our time

Hello HHCF family,
               The Hip-Hop Chess Federation was featured on the European TV show World Chess News. This show is like the CNN of chess. They have been very supportive of the HHCF from its inception. Please check the link here: http://www.worldchessnews.com/niva1/le.htm

                The HHCF story is at 10 min mark. But the show, as always is very cool and crazy informative.

Featuring:

DJ Johnny Juice Rosado of Public Enemy fame
Rakaa from Dilated Peoples
Herb Dean, Ultimate Fighting Championship referee

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Presents FREE ALL AGES EVENT Mind Over Matter II:
RZA, Rakaa, Traxamillion, Casual & Amir Sulaiman
Gather for Chess & Martial Arts Exhibition

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is proud to announce that they will be a hosting a FREE ALL AGES event called Mind Over Matter II. This popular chess and martial arts exhibition will be held on Feb 28th 2009 at John O'Connell High School in San Francisco .

Hey folks,
Its Adisa from the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. This Sunday, in the second half hour, Good Morning America Weekend will air a story on the HHCF. It will feature me, RZA and Traxamillion. Please check it out and share it with those you know love the game, and love kids. I should get a digital copy, so, if you party too hearty,- I got ya back!!

Much respect,
Adisa Banjoko

Hello,
My name is Adisa Banjoko. I am the CEO of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. (HHCF). Our organization fuses music, chess and martial arts to promote unity strategy and non-violence to American youth of all backgrounds. On February 28th 2009 in San Francisco, some of the worlds best known rappers, chess masters and martial artists will gather for the HHCF Chess Kings Invitational.

Annual Celebrity Invitational
Has moved from to Feb. 28, 2009
Oct 11th has been postponed to 2/28/2009
Mark your calendars

UFC Fighters to Play Platnium Recording Artist at HHCF 2nd Annual Chess Kings Invitational
Chess Masters, Rappers and MMA Fighters Come Together for Charity Chess & Grappling