By Jennifer Vazquez

Observer Correspondent

HARRISON

There are many stories and personal accounts that reflect the importance and the changing factor that sports, discipline, hard work and passion have on the lives of numerous. This fact holds true to no other than Josef Manuel owner and instructor of Cutting Edge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In an exclusive interview with The Observer, Manuel, an international champion-winning jiu jitsu fighter, vividly recounts the point in time when he became interested in this martial arts form and the important role this sport has had in his life.

Manuel, a first-generation born of Puerto Rican parents, was born and raised in Newark where he was raised. Being smaller than others his age and in his neighborhood he was bullied.

One day I was at the playground, on the swing, he said. Next thing I remember seeing were trees, leaves and boots.

This particular incident was a turning point in his life as he became adamant to become stronger and wiser never allowing another to intimidate or physically hurt him or others in that manner again.

Because of my size I was constantly being bullied, he said. Thats how my quest began. That quest to find out, what I can do, how I can prepare myself to not have to go through that againThere has to be some sort of self defense that I can learn to never have to go through that again.

According to Manuel, since money was tight during his youth, it wasnt until he was old enough to earn a living that he decided to finally learn jiu-jitsu, the fighting art form that had always captivated him.

Read more here:
Josef Manuel: A story of dedication and success