A pioneering school, whether in the academe, or on the fields, mats, and courts of the UAAP, the term ‘Atenean’ is respected, and at times, even feared.
However, due to its non-varsity status, one of Ateneo’s most dominant teams has been left outside the campus limelight. The Ateneo Jiu Jitsu Club, better known in the martial arts world, as Atos-VPF (or simply Team Atos), is one of, if not, the country’s best Jiu Jitsu Team. Its stable houses a seemingly endless list of National, International Open, Pan-Asian, and even Mundial (World Championship) gold medalists.
Team Atos-VPF is a satellite school of Atos Jiu Jitsu in Rio Clara, Brazil, headed by Ramon Lemons—an internationally respected figure who not only coaches world champions such as Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns, Bruno Frazzato, Gui Mendes, and Rafa Mendes, but advises the most dominant UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) Middleweight Champion the world has ever seen: Anderson Silva.
It goes without saying, that when the man who advises Anderson Silva trains your team, you get good—and you get good fast.
A team of champions
Atos-VPF may be one of the smallest teams in the country, but it never fails to bring home top honors from every local tournament. Recently sweeping the Jiu Jitsu Nationals on September 11 and 12, the Atos Stable, houses the majority of National Champions in the country and a list of fighters who dominate their bracket.
Gian Dee, a fresh graduate, and an infant blue belt—only having been promoted no more than two months ago—is now National Champion of the Blue Belt Division of his weight class.
Dee, who debuted as a blue belt in the Nationals, defeated several veterans of the belt class, including Newbreed Jiu Jitsu standout Ken Noda for the Gold. Quite a feat considering that Dee has only been a blue-belter for two months compared to Noda’s four.
After a well fought match against teammate Aldo Vergel De Dios, senior Adrian Guggenheim took home the gold medal.
Camaraderie
In Martial Arts success is deeply rooted in training, discipline, and commitment, but in Team Atos camaraderie is what takes them to the next level. When Dee was asked, as to what he believed was key to the Atos’ success, he replied, “[It is] definitely the brotherhood that comes with the training regimen; everyone shares their techniques with each other which translates to a deeper understanding of the art itself.”
The point was furthered by Atos Senior and newly appointed Blue Belt Ricky Poblador stating that a significant key to victory was everyone’s eagerness to train, even during non-official training days, such as Friday mornings and Sunday afternoons.
The spirit and commitment of this team is deeply rooted to the father, and head coach of Atos-VPF, Ali Sulit. Only few coaches can garner enough inspiration, drive and determination to persuade their players to train every day, much less on Sundays and holidays, but Coach Ali’s passion has influenced these fighters beyond the mat.
“Aside from helping us grow as athletes he [Sulit] also inspires us to grow as a people,” Dee said.
“Ali means business, he trains us to compete, but despite his rough and sometimes intimidating exterior, he’s a really perceptive and understanding guy,” Poblador says.
Despite their brevity of its existence, Team Atos-VPF is a definite powerhouse in the Philippine Jiu Jitsu scene. With a coaching staff as decorated and as passionate as Ali Sulit, Ralph Go and Carlo Pena, and a stable littered with current champions, and promising young fighters, Atos VPF is sure to continue on its dominating streak.
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