Ben Epstein of East Hills competed last weekend in the Copa Atlantica Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Bayonne, NJ. Ben, a fifth grader at the Harbor Hills School, received a third place medal in the 90-99.9 lb. Division. He was the first child to represent the Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in East Meadow in this prestigious tournament.

Matt Serra, the chief instructor at the academy, was the first American to receive a black belt under world-renowned jiu-jitsu expert Renzo Gracie. Matt is a member of the Renzo Gracie Competition Team, and has taken first place honors in the World Championships in Brazil and the Pan American Games in the United States. He is a current competitor in the popular Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) series.

Ben's instructor, Joe Scarola, runs the children's program and is himself an accomplished jiu-jitsu practitioner who remains undefeated in no holds barred competition.

Adults or children interested in group or private lessons can contact the academy at 520-2052.