User:Bittan Academy

Patrick Bittan was born November 27, 1973 in Paris, France and is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the lead professor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Bittan Academy, which he founded in 1999. He is considered one of the Pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in France.

Patrick started martial arts at the early age of 6, with Judo, in which he obtained his black belt at the age of 16. He began studying Krav Maga at the age of 8, and got a black belt in Krav Maga at the age of 19. Patrick also began learning and practicing boxing and muay thai from the age of 16-21. Patrick began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1996 at Cercle Tissier de Vincennes, under the tutelage of Christian Derval. From 1997-1999 Patrick lived in Los Angeles, where he trained and competed at the Rickson Gracie School. Upon his return to Paris from Los Angeles, he found the first Bittan Academy in 1999, in Pontoise (Paris). In May 2001, Patrick, along with his instructor, Christian Derval, became the first French candiates to become black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in France, under Master Flavio Behring (9th Degree Red Belt in BJJ). The promotion to black belt required that Patrick travel to Sao Paolo, Brazil, to pass a test at the Behring Academy.

The Pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in France:

In 2003, Patrick Bittan and Christian Derval attended a yearly conference held by the French Federation of Judo and Associated Disciplines (Federation Francaise de Judo et Disciplines Associes). It was at that conference that Patrick and Christian introduced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to France, which at that time the FFJDA referred to as "Ju Jitsu Ne Waza". Patrick and Christian began giving many seminars at various martial arts schools in France to introduce Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, accomplishing for the FFJDA to recognize Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a separate martial art from Judo and to recognize BJJ's own rules.

Today, Patrick teaches in Paris, France, where he has three Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies (Pontois,Verrieres amd Arnouville) and in which he is also an instructor in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Muay Thai. Patrick also has a school in Tel Aviv, Israel, which is managed by Professor Ido Pariente (black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Patrick Bittan), and in Bruzov, Romania. Patrick will be opening a new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in Miami, Florida by the end of 2009. Patrick also dedicates half of his time as instructor and trainer of advanced police/military tactics for the Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, France's counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIGN).

Patrick and his students at Bittan Academy have also been participating in the world renowned Bercy Martial Arts Festival which takes place every year in March in Paris (see http://destinationsen.eurostar.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=65606). You can view the Bittan Academy's demonstration for 2008 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x507vd) and 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUJqTSQbn6E).

Patrick is one of the few second degree black belts in Europe to be mounted on a podium at the world championship. He is considered one of the top European Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professors in his class.

Awards/Championships

Grade: 2nd Degree Black Belt since May 2007 under Master Flavio Behring (9th Degree Red Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) See http://onthemat.com/wiki/index.php/Flavio_Behring)

Awards (-85 Kg) November 2007, Winner of the super fight against René. Cate-79kg 3rd July 2005: Mundial de Jiu Jitsu, Sao Paolo, Brazil. Vice world champion of any class. Beat Cate - 85kg November 2003: Vice Champion Grappling Master Pro Line (Brazil). July 2003: Vice world champion in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). May 2003: Second in the championship, Sao Paulo (Brazil). November 2002: Second Open Paulista, Sao Paulo (Brazil). July 2002: Participation at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). January 2002: Winner of the Super-Fight in Paris against Remco Pardoel (absolute). July 2001: Participation at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). November 2000: Two-time winner (-90 kg) BIG (Belgium International Grappling). October 2000: Two-time winner at the Paris Open. October 1999: Second European Championships in Grappling in Vienna (Austria). July 1999: Participation at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). June 1999: Third Pan-American Games in Miami (USA). March 1999: Second in the championship of the United States in Los Angeles (USA). November 1998: Two-time winner of the French Cup in Paris.

Other Links: French TV Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHArbSrQmjM