Gracie Morumbi Challenge Coins!

THE GRACIE MORUMBI CHALLENGE COIN

Gracie Morumbi Fabio Leopoldo (GMFL) is proud to introduce our very own, limited-edition, numbered challenge coin. The thick brass, colored coins are 1½ inches in diameter, and 1/16 inches in width. Challenge coins are a fun way to demonstrate solidarity, and show pride in our academies, our martial arts, and our traditions.  (For more information on the background and history of challenge coins, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin.)

The front of the coin identifies our Gracie Morumbi Jiu Jitsu Academy, and proudly displays the lion logo.  The colors of the medallion come from the Brazilian flag and represent the origins of our school: yellow signifies the sun; the blue lion stands for courage, as well as the color of the sky, and  green represents the earth. Both the sky and the earth are separated by a black wave which marks the journey from beginner to black belt.    The Japanese characters for Jiu Jitsu (the “gentle art”) appear on the left and the right sides of the front. The bottom scroll expresses the goal of all our Gracie Morumbi training programs: “Building a family of champions for life.”

The back reveals our training motto: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” In other words, sheer size, strength, and adversity may be overcome through dedication, determination, and persistence. This motto is also important to remember, in daily situations that take place outside the academy. The Japanese characters for Jiu Jitsu appear again on the left and right sides, and the lotus image represents the results of determination and persistence. The lotus begins life as a tiny seed, buried  in the mud at the bottom of a pond.  After time, struggle, and patient growth, the lotus blossoms on the surface of the water with bright green and white leaves representing purity and dedication.  The brilliant yellow flowers are open to the sky and sun, but still attached to the earth by twin, connected roots which represent our two founding academies in Ventura and Thousand Oaks, CA.

Here’s how the coin works for fun:  Suppose two, or more, coin holders  meet or find themselves in a social situation,  at a restaurant,  a club,  or  a lounge.  If one person “challenges” by presenting, or tapping a coin, then everybody else must also show their coins.  Anyone caught without their GMFL coin within arm’s reach, has to buy a round of beverages. However,  if everyone shows a coin, then the challenger has to buy a round for everyone else J ! The coin challenge applies everywhere, except for inside the academies and their immediate grounds.  By the way, if you get “busted” without your coin, don’t whine and argue: pay the toll ….. and plot your revenge J. So, just as we all prepare when we go to the gym, we are all reminded to be prepared outside the gym, as well.

Limited-edition, numbered Gracie Morumbi coins make perfect gifts, souvenirs, awards, and keepsakes. Any friend of GMFL may purchase a coin ($25.00), so get yours while they last. Because of the nature of this opportunity, we are accepting advance orders. You may buy more than one coin, but not multiple copies of the same number. If you lose your coin (it’s thick enough for you to engrave your phone number and/or email address), the number will not be reproduced, although you may obtain the next available numbered coin.   To purchase a coin, or for more information, please see one of our world-class professors, or one of our excellent staff members.  Thank you for your support.  --- GMFL.