Student of the Month: Ismael Aguila
Congratulations to our Student of the Month: Ismael Aguila!
Hi Ismael, please tell us a little bit about yourself
I am Ismael Aguila and currently live in West Covina, but grew up in Monrovia, Covina and Baldwin Park.
I like a variety of music including but not limited to Rock, R&B, Rap, and Reggae.
I have played numerous sports: 9 years of soccer, 4 years of baseball, Karate?, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. For the last few years, I am taking Jiu Jitsu classes, which is my passion.
I have 3 brothers, all of which are Muay Thai experts.
I have 5 children: Jake 22, Isaac 17, Bella 12, Ulysses 11 and Milo 7 months old.
For little over two years now I have been training with Professor Gino Silanoe and am a 2 stripe Blue belt.
What classes do you take and what got you interested?
Growing up in Covina and then making a change to Baldwin Park in the late 80’s was a big eye-opener, as we were now in a rougher and tougher neighborhood. We were constantly confronted and my dad put us in combat sports like Karate, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Now as an adult and a father, I see the importance of always being prepared and able to defend yourself. I started my two older sons Jake and Isaac in MMA and Kickboxing and eventually decided to try Jiu Jitsu. I wanted my sons to have that security of being well rounded in combat sports. I decided to join my two sons in Jiu Jitsu after two weeks of signing them up. I soon realized it would become my passion!
How long have you been training now and what is your belt color? What accomplishments have you been able to attain in Jiu-Jitsu?
We have been consistently training for a little over 2 years. After just a few months of training; I took my son Isaac to his first Jiu Jitsu competition at the age of 15, The NABJJF L.A. Open, where he took gold. We realized this is what we wanted to do so we trained and in that same year, Isaac won The SJJIF Worlds championship under the guidance of Professor Silanoe. I took silver in that same World Championship which was my first event. Soon, both my sons and I were World Champions Isaac taking gold in the 2015 SJJIF Worlds, Jacob became the 2016 SJJIF World Super Heavyweight Champion and myself, taking gold at the 2016 IBJJF World Championship. I believe that when you have a passion for something, you make time for it. You fit it into to your schedule.
How do you manage to train consistently and combine a large family?
With having our own business we are able to schedule our days to accommodate our Jiu-Jitsu classes? We are a team at work and a team in Jiu-Jitsu. It allows me to spend quality time with my two sons in a sport that we three look at as our passion. It’s bonding time for us I think. The drive to and from practice we reminisce about the new techniques and the awesome rolls. It’s something us three have in common.
We heard that you have lost a lot of weight since you started Jiu-Jitsu. How much have you lost so far and what is your weight loss goal for 2018?
Since I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Professor Gino I lost 52 lbs.! This year I am hoping to compete under 221 lbs.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
It hasn’t been easy juggling my daughter’s violin lessons, sports practice, and games. My son Ulysses saxophone lessons, sports, and games. After this season, I am proud to say both my son and daughter will be a part of the Silanoe Martial Arts kids Jiu-Jitsu team. I am excited to see my family make Jiu-Jitsu a part of their life. Special thanks to the love of my life Vianey! We have our business together. She helps me a tremendous amount with all sorts of tasks and responsibilities. She accompanies me at my tournaments and watches the kids when I go to practice. Without her unconditional support, I wouldn’t be able to train and have so much fun with my passion: Jiu-Jitsu.
Learn more about our Adult Jiu-Jitsu program here and or check out our schedule here. Read about Ismael’s son Jacob who is also in the Jiu-Jitsu adult program here or other team mates such as Mike here or Monty here.