Quietly, a Ridgefield boy, Luciano Tuminello (rising Freshman at Ridgefield High School), has been dominating the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s just that, this is not a town sport. So, athletes won’t get the recognition they deserve locally, in my humble opinion. Hence, I felt compelled to write this post for my great friends Gisele Tumminello and John Tumminello.
In Kissimmee, FL this past weekend their son, Luciano, took Silver in the Kid’s Pan American Games. It's the largest BJJ tournament in the world and hosts the best of the best from North America, Central America, South America, etc.
In the semi-finals he absolutely smoked an extended member of the Gracie family, from the world recognized Renzo Gracie BJJ School, 10-0. In the finals, he lost Gold by only a sliver of hair to a kid from Canada. Last year, Luciano took Bronze in the same tournament.
I speak from experience that his coach, Luigi Emile from American Top Team, is beyond top-notch as well. To say this under-recognized Ridgefielder is one of the top BJJ competitors for his age/weight class in the WORLD is not overstated. It will be very exciting to watch this young man in the future.
Congratulations Luci!
- Larry Lanzilli, Ridgefield, CT
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