Daniel Camarillo

In 1997 I moved to the Bay Area and joined the Ralph Gracie JiuJitsu Team. This is where my ground skills really took off. I received my blue belt in two months of training from Cesar and Ralph Gracie. At first I did not do so well. I went to the Nationals in 1997 and lost a very close match by points. I was very determind to come back and win the next year. I trained very hard for the competition in 1998. I won the Joe Moreira Nationals in 1998, tapping everyone in my weight division Including Tyrone Glover (had to put that in cause he beat me two times after!) and then moving on to the Absolute. I took 2nd in the Absolute divisoin only losing by two points to a very big guy. About two months later was the US Open in Santa Cruz. I tapped out everyone in my weight division including the final match which was only 14sec. (video was added to my highlight video). The next day I fought in the Absolute division and again tapping everyone including Genki Sudo for the win (this video is also in my highlight video).

After the US Open I continued training very hard and was hoping to get my purple belt. I kept on training for another two months and still did not get promoted. To be honest, I was very upset about this and decided to quit. I know, stupid me.  I took an entire year off. Not touching Judo or Jiujitsu for a whole year until the next US Open. I won my weight division, but did not tap everyone and then lost in the Absolute, another close match. I broke my rib that match…

I regret quiting and will never do it again. I stuck with it after I came back. It took me two months to get back into shape. It was a very hard thing to do. I finally got my purple from Ralph Gracie. Winning a couple of purple belt matches here and there, but losing to Tyrone at the Ralph Gracie tourny back in the day. In all of my competitions, Tryone has been one of my hardest opponents. I am proud to say that I have only been tapped out about 5 times throughout my jiujitsu career.

The jobs got rough in the bay area and I had to move away. I am now in Bakersfield where I teach and train at my own Academy. I have done a couple of cage fights and really don’t know if I will do anymore. I got my Black Belt in jiujitsu at the end of 2005. I was already a 3rd degree black in Judo and having both black belts was my best accomplishment. I love my family and care about my friends. I love to have fun, but know when to be serious. I am more then happy to teach anyone and I don’t hold back.