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Jovany
Varela
Certified Official
How did you get into MMA?
Over 40 years ago Japanese embassy offered free Judo classes, I decided to try it and fell in love with the sport, later I started training Sambo in 1991 and in 1995 I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Around those years I competed in NHB events, what later became MMA.
Currently I'm still competing in the Master's division in World BJJ and Judo Championships.
For 16 years now, I have my own Martial Arts Academy in the city of Gardena.
Hayastan MMA Academy under Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell.
What is your martial arts background?
-7th Degree Black Belt in Judo under Sensei Gene LeBell.
-4th Degree BJJ Black Belt under Prof. Thiago Reinaldo (Gracie Barra, Brazil)
-Sambo Master Level 2 under Prof. Sergey Tabakov (FIAS, Moscow, Russia)
First Hispanic to achieve it.
-4th Dan in Hayastan Grappling System under Gokor Chivichyan.
Why do you officiate MMA?
It represents a valuable opportunity to acquire new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the sport. Ultimately, I felt it was the right time to pursue this path to stay involved in the sports that I love and give back to the new comers.
What is your career background?
I'm a hardware Engineer specializing in Apple products and I have my own company since 1989 for computer and electronics repair.
www.CompuNet.tv
What do you do on your time off?
I love to train, compete and teach in my academy.
I love to read and drink coffee and spend time with my loved family and go to church.
I love to learn new languages, currently fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish and ASL (sign language) and I'm currently taking Russian language classes.
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