Training Report: MK Team Paris (France)
On a sunny Saturday morning, I hopped on a TGV from Luxembourg Gare Centrale around 5am heading to the city of love, Paris. Although it was an early morning, I have always fantasized about the city, and I could not wait to arrive and explore it myself. Knowing that the next couple of days would be filled with crème brûlée and macarons, my first stop before the pilgrimage to the French capital was MK Team Paris.
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City
Paris, the capital city of France, is a global center for fashion, art and culture, which inspired countless artists and musicians throughout the centuries. Home to world famous attractions including Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, Paris is a dream come true when it comes to art and architecture. With every corner of the city decorated with Parisian apartments surrounded by the charming French cafés, there are endless reasons to visit Paris again and again. From its world famous French cuisine to a wonderful insight into French culture, Paris deserves its place on everyone’s bucket list.
Overview
Established in April 2017, MK Team is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (JJB or Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien in French) academy headed by Olivier Michailesco who received his 3rd degree Black Belt in BJJ from Flavio Behring. The academy’s name was derived from Professor Michailesco’s nickname, Mako. The club initially started by renting a place at an MMA academy, but now it has established its position in the French BJJ community with over 350 students and 25 affiliated academies throughout France over the past few years. Although the academy has grown in size, the family-like atmosphere and spirit has been well-preserved in its culture.
When I reached out to the team via Facebook, one of the black belt coaches, Claire-France Thévenon, kindly invited me to the academy for a training session. On a sunny Saturday morning in Paris, I had the pleasure of training under the head coach, Professor Olivier Michailesco. As mentioned previously, with the MK Team’s rapid expansion, the mat space was completely full of eager students and their energy despite being an early morning class. Although I did not speak any French except “Je ne sais pas” which means “I don’t know” in a horrible French accent, fellow students and instructors were kind enough to provide me with a comfortable training atmosphere, and everyone was eager to help me understand the complex techniques of the day. I was surprised by the number of black belts present on the mat, and the level of training was self-explanatory.
With its family-like training environment and top-notch Jiu-Jitsu training partners, visiting MK Team Paris was one of the highlights of my weekend trip (besides all of the French pastries). Paris is a beautiful city with no time to waste in sightseeing and shopping. However, I will assure you that your visit will not be a waste. Thank you, Professor Michailesco, Professor Thévenon, and the rest of the team for welcoming me to Paris and the MK family. Until next time!
Location & Facility
The gym is located on the east side of Paris. With its well-established public transportation, you can easily reach the academy from anywhere in Paris. However, I would recommend you plan ahead given the massive size of the city. The facility includes a clean blue mat space for training and locker rooms for men and women. (Google Map: Link)
Schedule
MK Team Paris offers classes everyday in the mornings and evenings. The academy’s most recent schedule is posted below:
- Cours de base — Basic Class
- Tous niveaux — All Levels
- Cours avancé — Advanced Class
Visitor Pass
A one day pass is €20, but the passes are also available for longer terms (€60/week and €120/month)
Website — Click here
Tourist Attractions
- Eiffel Tower — Without a doubt, the Eiffel tower (La Tour Eiffel) is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. With its breathtaking architecture, the Eiffel Tower leaves you speechless. Although it was originally designed as the centerpiece for the World’s Fair in Paris in 1889, the tower remains as a symbol of Paris to this day. A visit to Paris would not be complete without seeing the iconic Eiffel tower.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral — Located next to the picturesque Seine river, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered a Parisian icon. Although it remains closed until further notice due to the unfortunate fire in early 2019, Notre Dame carries the title of most visited monument in Europe as one of the oldest cathedrals in the world. With its stunning stained glass windows and structures, Notre Dame is often regarded as one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals. Let’s hope to see this beautiful cathedral back soon!
- The Louvre — As the most-visited and the largest museum in the world with nearly 10 million visitors per year, the Louvre is another historical monument in Paris. The building was once home to French Kings, but the Louvre was converted to a museum during the French Revolution. With its sheer size and vast collections, you can literally spend days in the museum.
- Shopping — Undeniably considered as the Fashion Capital of the world, Paris definitely has its own style. From Chanel to Louis Vuitton, the city is home to the most influential fashion designers. If you are into shopping and have some $$$ to spare, the shopping experience in luxury shops and also adorable local boutiques is without comparison.
I would like to thank Professor Michailesco, Professor Thévenon , and the rest of the MK Team Paris for their hospitality!
