Dos Pueblos wrestling coach Anthony Califano was recently invited to accompany Team USA as a coach at the World Grappling Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, where the Americans found huge success, coming home with championships in the men’s and women’s competitions.
“I have had some incredible experiences as wrestler and wrestling coach but this trip rivaled them all. Not too many high school coaches get to represent the team USA in any sport,” wrote Califano in an appreciative letter to the Executive Director of USA Wrestling, Rich Bender.
Grappling is similar to wrestling, as it is a practice that does not incorporate and striking, but rather throws, joint locks and pins. It is used in numerous forms of martial arts, including jiu-jitsu and judo.
This excerpt from Califano’s letter to Bender explains how he became involved with the sport:
My trip to Luzerne began many years ago when one of my high school athletes arm barred me in practice. Soon after that I began taking lessons in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and participating in some tournaments. BJJ was fun because it was something new to learn and good for my fitness. Anyway, I earned my brown belt this fall and thought it could provide some opportunities for me to coach this interesting new sport of FILA rules grappling.
I contacted Jason Townsend and asked him if I could be involved in this new sport. He asked me if I could help with creating a bronze level course for grappling. I have a silver certification and I have taught many bronze classes so I thought this was a perfect job for me. Jason asked me if I could attend the world team trials in Rocklin, CA to discuss the course and watch the trials. I made the drive to Rocklin and met Jason for the first time.
We discussed the course and he gave me the overview of history grappling, this hybrid of wrestling and jiu jitsu. I was completely impressed with Jason and his story. He explained how him and some close friends wrote the original rulebook for grappling and traveled around the world to gain the approval of FILA and other organizations.
I was equally impressed with Jason on the trip to Switzerland. I can’t remember when I spent time with a person so passionate, enthusiastic and committed to something. He has made a lot of personal sacrifices to help give grappling and other developing styles a solid foundation and to ensure their future.
Califano says that he his thankful to the Dos Pueblos community for its support in the endeavour, as well as Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
(Top photo: Califano, left, poses with Team USA heavyweight champion Jeff Monson, who has also competed in UFC and Pride)
