Our North Plainfield Fighters competed in the NAGA North American Grappling Championship. There were over 1200 competitors at this event, and we placed!  We are constantly maintaining to our winning tradition, and congratulations to our champions!

]]> http://wetrainhard.com/home/?feed=rss2&p=772 0 http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=768 http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=768#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:14:20 +0000 admin http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=768 ]]> http://wetrainhard.com/home/?feed=rss2&p=768 0 http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=623 http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=623#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:22:53 +0000 admin http://wetrainhard.com/home/?p=623 TRICK OR TREAT PARTY

10am-1pm

North Plainfield Fight Club 

479 Somerset St, North Plainfield NJ

Classes will be cancelled this Saturday (11/29/11) .  We will be having a FREE Trick or Treat Party.  There will be GAMES, PRIZES, CONTESTS, AND FOOOOOD!! Come out and have a blast with us while we have fun in a safe and friendly environment!

• 7th Degree Black Belt American Goshi Shun Karate/Tae Kwon Do
• 6th Degree Black Belt Shotoquan/Karate Jitsu
• 5th Degree Black Belt ATA
• Krav Maga Certified Instructor
• 5th degree Kukkiwon Certification
• Aikido student since 1988
• Currently training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Team Alliance BJJ)

Michael Gilliam began training in Martial Arts in 1976.  This was the time when Martial Arts was pure.  There was no sparring equipment.  You sparred with bare knuckles, bare feet and empty hands.  There was hard training, but always RESPECT.  Everyone trainied their MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT.  You can tell an old school warrior by looking at their HANDS. Mr. Gilliam trained with several well known Grand Masters and Masters of the Martial Arts.  Michael Gilliam loves all styles of Martial Arts and has trained in several disciplines.  He began his training under the founder of the American Goshi-Shun Federation, Grand Master William W. Wilson.  Mr. Gilliam was also the first student to train under the late Grand Master Tauheed Davis.  In the 1970′s he also began training in Tae Kwon Do (WTF style) under a living legend Master Gerard Robbins (Please see Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame).

In 1979, Mr. Gilliam began training with the Dynamic Ninja Turtle System under Grand Master Edward Bose (Founder).  Mr. Gilliam says, “This was some of the hardest training that I had ever done.”  The well known instructors made sure that you perfected your technique. Classes were two hours long and always ended with sparring. His instructors there were Darryl Rasheed Thomas, Jesse Harris, Trent Norman, Asmar Graham, and Reginald Goode. I was very proud of my trainiing in Newark, NJ. Each school had very tough competitors and you often fought for the pride of your Dojo. Mr. Gilliam states. “ I thank each and every person who I competed against because they made me into the instructor that I am today. Mr. Gilliam enjoys competition and has battled against some of the toughest competitors in the world.

During his studies at Rutgers University, Michael sought out and traveled to train with Grand Master Jhoon Rhee (Father of Tae Kwon Do), who taught Bruce Lee Tae Kwon Do. He also trained in Kung Fu under Sifu Charles Middleton.  After graduating from Rutgers University Michael Gilliam began training directly under Grand Master Wayne Ford.  Often referred to as  Papasan, he was truly the most influential instructor in Mr Gilliam’s life. Not for the numerous championships that he helped him win, but for being a father figure.  He is a great man, instructor, and mentor. Mr. Gilliam recalls training for hours in his garage. One of his best memories was winning the Grand Championship sparring competition on his birthday, and awarding him the championship statue. Mr. Gilliam says, “The competition was fierce but I promised him that I would win it all for him. Thanks for inspiring me.”

Michael Gilliam has won hundreds of championships throughout his career:

• Master Chios Tournament/Underbelt Champion
• Garden State Games Winner / Forms/ Sparring
• Governor’s Cup Awards Winner in 1985
• Gary Alexander’s Tournament Grand Champion
• NJ State Grand Champion- Forms/Sparring
• Newark Bare Knuckle Champion in 1991
• 4 time World Police Games Champion Forms/Sparring/Weapons
• Winner of over 100 Grand Championship Titles
• 2000 – 2003  Head Coach of New Jersey Nation Jr. Olympic Tae Kwon Do Team
• Trained 36 National Jr. Olympic Champions
• School of the Year Honors 1995-2005
• 2009 World Champion (American Tae Kwon Do Association) Sparring/XMA Forms
• Only Coach to sweep National Jr. Olympic Division 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Girls Division.
• 2010 Grapplers Quest 1st place

“Master Mike’s” greatest accomplishment is having the opportunity to see his students develop into champions, both on and off the mat. Many of his students are now college graduates and leading very positive lifestyles.

Mr. Gilliam is currently training and competing in jiu jitsu representing World Champion TEAM ALLIANCE.