Featured Camp Instructor: Francesco Fonte

Francesco Fonte – BJJ Globetrotters

Belt: Black belt first degree
Age: 46
Profession: MMA & jiu-jitsu coach, gym owner
Started training (year): My first approach to jiu-jitsu was in 2003 but I think I didn’t start to regularly training with friends until a couple of years later.
City/country: Currently living in Germany nearby Hanau, where my gym is.

Main achievements in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

I didn’t compete too often but I manage to collect some medal here and there. My favourite memories are probably winning the Rome Challenge in 2007, and the Swedish Open in 2011 and 2014. I tried my luck in MMA too, winning my debut with a first round arm bar, and getting badly injured in my second match. After that I did a few more jiu-jitsu tournaments and pretty much stopped competing.

Which Globetrotters camps have you attended:

So far, Heidelberg 2018, Zen camp 2020, Heidelberg and Wagrain Summer camp 2021, Winter camp Wagrain / Spring camp Tallinn / Summer camp Heidelberg / Faroe Islands camp 2022, Winter camp 2023. At the moment I booked my instructor spot for the coming Spring, Summer and Zen camps 2023.

Francesco Fonte & Priit Mihkelson – BJJ Globetrotters instructors

Which camp has been your favorite so far?

Every camp has its own “flavour” but my favourite camps are those less crowded like Zen and Winter camp. Especially Winter camp since the combo snowboard and jiu-jitsu is perfect.

Favorite stories/moments from the camps?

Francesco Fonte – BJJ Globetrotters camp in Heidelberg

Too many to list. The incredible amount of people I connected to, thanks to camps, it’s a story by itself.

That time I was uke for Wim and he strangled me almost unconscious in front of 80+ people and nobody noticed.

Learning to snowboard at my first Winter camp with Priit and Nina.

Introducing people to creative ways of drinking tequila in Tallinn.

Being blamed for an incredible party in Heidelberg.

Cooking for a bunch of ‘trotters in Torshavn.

The slapping game in Wagrain, followed by the burning pub accident.

If you want details, you have to ask me at camp.

Your favorite class/classes to teach at camp?

Francesco Fonte – BJJ Globetrotters Camp in Heidelberg

I approach jiu-jitsu from concepts and mechanics so I like to teach classes where I can offer my point of view on a general topic. I think so far the classes I enjoyed teaching the most, have been a class on closed guard at Zen camp, one on guard passing in Tallinn, one on sweeps in Heidelberg and one on guard retention at Winter camp.

Anything else you want to add to your profile:

I am incredibly grateful for what the Globetrotters camps brought into my life and I always suggest anyone who trains, to join one and experience it. If you’re reading these lines, know that you are always welcome in my gym and you can contact me for any question on jiu-jitsu and MMA.

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