Starting Young in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

Gracie Barra, with Master Carlos’s vision, of Jiu-Jitsu for everyone holds true. Regardless of age, race, physical abilities, and gender.

Being an achiever at a young age, Nikita ‘Niki’ Inger has embraced the art of Jiu-Jitsu. At a young age of 8, Niki has bagged golds in various prestigious tournaments. His love for Jiu-Jitsu all started when he met Professor Pablo Garcia of Gracie Barra Encino. He now trains at Gracie Barra Northridge under Professor Romulo Barral.

Nikita is like your average kid, however, he is extraordinary for his age on the mats. With his talents, he was able to grab the top podium in NABJJ.

graciebarra.com: Tell us about the competition
Nikita: For Gi I wanted to get on bottom, get my opponent in guard so I could could do Spider Guard, then sweep get side control, mount then Americana. For NoGi I wanted to get a single leg takedown, get in side control, mount and Americana.

graciebarra.com: Preparing for a fight is daunting, please do tell us how you prepared.
Nikita: Trained 6 days a week and did private lessons with my coaches. Also I play basketball and go to the park with my dad to run and just play around.

Train hard, don’t give up, practice rolling with bigger stronger kids, listen to your coaches. Never get scared and believe in yourself.

graciebarra.com: We’ve heard that you are consistent, tell us how much gold were you able to bag this year.
Nikita: Gi is my favorite, I have done 4 Gi tournaments since January and have 4 Gold medals all by submission. I don’t really train NoGi too much but I still do it at tournaments so I get more chances to fight I have 3 Golds and 1 Silver from my 1st NoGi tournament ever.

graciebarra.com: So what’s next. What’s on your plate for the future?
Nikita: Train, train, train and get better.

graciebarra.com: Any advise to young competitors?
Nikita: Train hard, don’t give up, practice rolling with bigger stronger kids, listen to your coaches. Never get scared and believe in yourself.

graciebarra.com: So you changed schools, tell us how you find the new environment and your new coach.
Nikita:  I love Gracie Barra Northridge, my coaches are great and love Jiu Jitsu. They really focus on technique and I am learning so much. The kids are great too, there are a lot of bigger and better kids for me to roll with and that is how I get better.

Here’s the video of one of his fights