Edwin Najmi and the Gracie Barra Northridge Competition Team

 

The GBN Competition Team is recognized as one of the elite training groups in the world, founded and led by Hall of Famer Professor Romulo Barral. While Professor Barral is the architect of the system, athletes like Edwin Najmi are the high-profile products and standard-bearers of that system, embodying the team’s aggressive, highly technical style.

 

1. Edwin Najmi: The GBN Success Story

 

Edwin Najmi is one of the most visible and successful athletes to emerge directly from the Gracie Barra Northridge academy under Professor Romulo Barral. He represents the potential and quality of the GBN system.

 

 Detail  Description  Impact on the Team

 

 Lineage  Black Belt under Professor Romulo Barral (received in 2015).  Provides a direct, living example of the GBN methodology working at the highest level. 

 Competitive Style  Known for his extremely aggressive, submission-focused style. He rarely stalls and is famous for his high-risk, high-reward attacks.  Inspires younger competitors to adopt a proactive, attacking mindset, consistent with the dynamic style of BJJ. 

 Signature Attacks  Specialized in the Triangle Choke and the Armbar, often setting them up from the open guard or transition.  His technical expertise in these areas is often featured in seminars and advanced drilling sessions at GBN. 

 Major Achievements  Multiple-time IBJJF World Champion medalist (Silver/Bronze), Pan American Champion, European Champion, and Brazilian National Champion (achieved at lower belts).  His medals legitimize the training and coaching being offered at the academy. 

 

2. The GBN Competition Team: Structure and Philosophy

 

The GBN Competition Team is a highly organized, demanding group dedicated to achieving success at major tournaments (IBJJF Worlds, Pan-Ams, Europeans, etc.).

 

1. The “Shark Tank” Environment

 High Density of Black Belts: The team attracts and retains a high number of world-class Black Belts, including Najmi and numerous other accomplished athletes. This creates a challenging training environment, often called the “Shark Tank.”

 Purpose: The intensity ensures that every competitor is pushed to their absolute limit in drilling and sparring, replicating the pressure of a championship match. If a technique works in the GBN shark tank, it is ready for competition.

 

1. The Systematic Approach

 Game Planning: Under Professor Barral, the team practices systematic game planning. Competitors do not just roll; they drill specific scenarios and sequences tailored to neutralizing common opponent styles or preparing for a known opponent.

 Barral’s Method: The team focuses on mastering Barral’s philosophy: Positional Control first, then Submission. This strategy minimizes risk while maximizing scoring potential, a necessity in the tight ruleset of IBJJF competition.

 

1. Training Camps

 Preparation for Majors: Leading up to the World Championships or other high-profile events, the team engages in intense, focused training camps. These camps increase training frequency and intensity, often including specialized strength and conditioning work, and focused positional sparring.

 

3. Impact on the Entire Academy

 

The Competition Team’s excellence benefits every student at Gracie Barra Northridge, even those who do not compete.

 

 Elevated Standard: The presence of champions like Edwin Najmi and the overall high standards of the team raise the technical ceiling of the entire academy. 

 Quality of Instruction: Competitors often serve as mentors or assistant coaches. They have a deep, recent understanding of competitive BJJ, meaning their feedback during drilling is current and highly effective.

 Motivation: Witnessing teammates and instructors achieve success at the highest levels provides tangible proof that the GBN system works, serving as a huge source of motivation and belief for everyone in the academy.

 

4. Technical Specialization

 

The team’s structure allows for deep dives into various techniques, led by experts like Najmi.

 

 Triangle Masterclass: Due to Najmi’s expertise, GBN students receive exceptional instruction on the setup, connection, and finishing mechanics of the Triangle Choke, learning how to use it as a primary weapon from both the top and bottom positions.

 Aggressive Guard Play: Najmi’s influence reinforces the GBN preference for a proactive, attacking guard that uses grips (Spider, Lasso) to create submissions or sweeps, moving away from passive or stalling tactics.

 

 Summary

The Gracie Barra Northridge Competition Team, symbolized by the success of athletes like Edwin Najmi, is defined by its intensity, technical excellence, and systematic approach under the guidance of Professor Romulo Barral. It is an environment where champions are forged, and every student benefits from the high standards of instruction and the presence of world-class training partners.

 

Gracie Barra Northridge Location & Contact:

 

Address: 19520 Nordhoff St 10th, Northridge, CA 91324

 

Phone: +1 818-357-4074

 

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Website: gbnorthridge.com

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

Edwin Najmi and the Gracie Barra Northridge Competition Team