Mikey Musumeci‘s journey to turning into one of many high grapplers at the moment has been something however peculiar.
Regardless of his success on the mats, the reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion has needed to combat tooth and nail each step of the way in which to succeed in his present standing.
Musumeci’s foray into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu commenced on the tender age of 4, a time when most youngsters have been simply studying to tie their shoelaces.
However as a substitute of playgrounds and cartoons, his world revolved round coaching and competing. Displaying an innate expertise for the game, he shortly emerged as a prodigy.
But, amid the applause and accolades, there was a voice of hesitation — his mom’s.
“My mother didn’t even need me to compete. I used to be like 13, 12 years previous. She’s like, ‘Please, no extra competing.’ She hated it, she she was horrified of me competing,” Musumeci mentioned.
Like many BJJ dad and mom, his mom discovered it agonizing to observe her son have interaction within the bodily rigors of competitors.
Nonetheless, destiny had different plans. With every victory, Musumeci’s ardour for BJJ solely grew stronger, fueling his need to excel.
“She’s like, ‘Alright, simply win another event after which no extra competing, please.’ I used to be gonna be competing at NAGA presently, and I’m like, ‘Mother, I would like one other belt.’ I gained one other belt, so I fought once more after which I’d win a belt,” he mentioned.
“After which I’m like, ‘Wait, wait, another event, please!’ After which I ended up simply conserving competing.”
Maybe paradoxically, Musumeci credit his mom’s preliminary reluctance to solidify his dedication to the game.
“My dad and mom by no means pushed me to compete or prepare. My mother simply needed me to be a health care provider or lawyer, truthfully,” he mentioned.
“She didn’t even need me to do jiu-jitsu, so I really feel like as a result of they didn’t push us, it got here from us to really wish to do that.”