"Make it your cool thing" - Mikey Musumeci's advice to parents who want their child to develop a passion for jiu-jitsu
Reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci knows how big of a game-changer jiu-jitsu can be in a child's life.
Nowadays, it's becoming increasingly more common for kids to enroll in martial arts classes. BJJ has become a popular choice, thanks to role models like Musumeci.
Before he became one of the most decorated champions in grappling today, the four-time IBJJF world champion was also once a little kid who went on to develop a passion for the sport through years of hard work.
As such, 'Darth Rigatoni' understands the importance of parents' guidance for a child to succeed in the grappling arts.
However, instead of pushing the younger generation to live, sleep, and breathe BJJ, Musumeci says there's a much better approach.
The Evolve MMA standout explained in an interview with ONE Championship:
"Don't tell your kid they have to train. What you're gonna do is you're gonna go train, and you're gonna have your kid sometimes go, but you're gonna make it a cool thing. And then your kid's gonna want to do it because it's your cool thing, and he's gonna want to do what you're doing."
Indeed, leading by example is always the best way. Mikey Musumeci is such an insightful athlete, and gems like these are one of the reasons why he's a beloved figure in combat sports.
Mikey Musumeci returns with a bang in 2024
After a rather busy 2023 in the world's largest martial arts organization, Mikey Musumeci took some time off to heal his body in the first half of the year.
'Darth Rigatoni' is ready to dive right back into the deep end with two blockbuster bouts in higher weight classes this year.
The flyweight submission grappling king will first settle an old grudge with tormentor Gabriel Sousa in a bantamweight grapple-fest at ONE 167 on June 7.
The stacked card will air live on US Primetime from Bangkok's Impact Arena, free for Prime Video subscribers in North America.
A few months later, Musumeci will go up three weight divisions for a dream fight for the ages by challenging lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo at ONE 168: Denver.
Follow this link for tickets to ONE's US return on September 6 at Ball Arena.