Fabricio Itte is a man with a very particular set of skills: he has a Bachelor of Health Science, holds a Diploma in Sports and Recreation (Fitness) and was part of the coaching staff for the national Olympic freestyle wrestling team from 2007 to 2012.
Five years ago, he moved to Thirroul with his wife and young family; two years ago he opened Portal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in that suburb.
“I had other opportunities to move to the US and other cities internationally, but here in the Illawarra, the area seemed to offer everything my young family, my wife, Loretta, and I was looking for. We are so very happy because the communities we work in have been overwhelmingly supportive.”
Fabricio’s co-instructor at Portal BJJ, Eli Hedges, has opened another branch of the business in Port Kembla.
“Many of our gym members attend both gyms at different times and membership includes both studios,” Fabricio said. “We are non-competition focussed generally, but for those wanting competition we can easily cater for them as well.
“My experience and those of my other head instructors, Blake Barden and Eli Hedges, are extensive. We understand how the body works and focus is on fundamentals and fitness for beginners of all ages. We have groups of three- to five-year-olds, five to 10, and 10 to 15, and all ages above.”
Fabricio is keen to acknowledge the benefits of fostering a community within the gym.
“Our instructors are all highly credentialled as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu exponents, but it is the community where we develop and facilitate mentoring amongst the further advanced to foster development in others in which we are really proud.”
He says BJJ appeals to people of all ages, fitness and skill levels.
“We have a wide variety of participants. Tradespeople, police officers, professionals, both sexes, really all walks of life are included and most are just looking for fitness with a self-defence aspect combined.”
Blake Barden – a fireman by trade, born and raised in the Illawarra and current no.1 competitor in the Australian Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – leads the development of instruction at Thirroul and Port Kembla.
“His personal ability in the sport is beyond compare. Genetically he is strong and he definitely trains well, but he also enables a strong community spirit by his camaraderie and fostering of kindness and understanding for people.
“It is probably a unique combination, but to have both him and Eli Hedges, who is also highly credentialled, working with me in a small gym is definitely unique and very rare. Both inspire others as well as maintaining a rigorous training regime for willing participants.”
BJJ is a sport that allows participants to develop and improve at their own pace, Fabricio says.
“We have had 10 blue belts from the gym, both men and women, of all ages.
“They grapple together, improve skills together and understand each other better. Getting on the floor and grappling can bring you very close to other people, both physically and mentally, and combat and collision sports can offer a whole new perspective on life.”
Fabricio says BJJ practitioners leave their ‘day-life’ outside when they enter Portal.
“There is indeed a juxtaposition of lives in grappling, but every life is left outside the gym, to concentrate on the grappling. The whole process can indeed be very mentally liberating for gym participants.”
For Thirroul and surrounding districts, Portal BJJ offers an inclusive alternative to traditional fitness pursuits and it encourages individual and community wellness.
For more info, visit www.portalbjjthirroul.com or email info@portalbjjthirroul.com
Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com for further information.