Local Young Talent takes 2nd at the BJJ World No-Gi Championships

(TORONTO -- August 18, 2008) -- Michael Imperato, representing the Tap Star Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) team of Toronto, took 2nd place in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi World Championships recently held in Los Angeles, California.

Fighting in the blue belt adult male pluma (super feather) division at 135 pounds, Imperato exploded onto the mat winning his first two matches 15-0 and 10-2, respectively. In the semi-finals he won by footlock and was beat out by 2 points in a 4-2 match in the finals.

At only 18,  this is his Imperato’s third international tournament; Michael he has also placed 2nd in NAGA in FloridaLA and 2nd in Grapplers Quest Las Vegas in 2008. Locally, he recently won 1st place at the GTA MMA expo grappling tournament.

Michael Imperato has only been with the Tap Star team for only 8 months, but coach Sam Zakula, head instructor of Xtreme Couture gym in Toronto, sees a lot of potential in this young fighter. “Mike is a very dedicated, talented athlete who gave it his all. I’m very proud of him”.  Zakula has worked with MMA athletes around the globe, including UFC fighters Carlos Newton and Kendall Grove.  but says “Mike is a very dedicated, talented  athlete who give it his all; I’m very proud of him”.

Xtreme Couture is Toronto’s premiere gym for MMA and Tapstar is the elite fight team led by the gym’s head instructor Sam Zakula.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is currently not recognized as an Olympic sport but it is no coincidence that the world championships coincided with the opening ceremonies in Beijing.

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