Henry Akins
Henry Akins is a Jiu Jitsu instructor, the third American to receive a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt from fighter Rickson Gracie[1] He is a Vegan Athlete[2] and former trainer of star Ronda Rousey.[3] He is currently an instructor and co-owner at Dynamix MMA in Los Angeles, California.
Biography[edit]
Akins grew up in Oklahoma, where he witnessed many fights, which trained wrestlers dominated their peers. Henry's step-father introduced him to Thai Boxing at an early age, which was followed with training in Taekwondo. Akins left his home in Oklahoma the mid 1990s to seek out Rickson Gracie in West Los Angeles, and began training under Gracie in 1995 while also working as the academy's secretary. Akins was awarded the level of black belt in 2004, when, during a training session, Gracie paused, walked over and picked up a belt which he then handed to Akins.[4] Akins credits Kung Fu Theater and Bruce Lee as childhood inspirations.[5]
Career[edit]
Akins trained under Rickson Gracie from 1995 until 2010. Akins became the head instructor or "Professor" at the Rickson Gracie Academy from 2005 to 2008 before resigning due to a back injury. He opened his own school, Dynamix Martial Arts,[6] in 2011, where he is the head instructor in West Los Angeles, California, and teaches alongside former students Antoni Hardonk and Vladimir Matyushenko.
Akins has been an instructor of many notable career MMA athletes, including Antoni Hardonk, Kamal Shalorus, Ronda Rousey,[7] Vladimir Matyushenko, Jared Hamman,[8] Stefan Struve[9] and Kron Gracie, whom he trained through brown belt.
Technique[edit]
Akins notes that Jiu-jitsu was developed for practical street fighting with an emphasis on taking an opponent to the ground for one-on-one submissions, and then formed the basis for MMA style fighting. Known as "the Jiu-Jutsu Super Computer," Akins is the foremost authority on invisible or "hidden" jiu-jutsu, a means by which methodical body posturing and key leverage points during grappling inflicts a maximum amount of pain. This is the style practiced by Akins teacher, Rickson Gracie, and was the form envisioned by the creator of Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu, Hélio Gracie.[10][11]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Jiu-Jitsu Vortex. "BJJ Techniques from Henry Akins: “Closest living thing to Rickson Gracie” June 16, 2013
- ↑ Vegan Athletes "Henry Akins, vegan Jui Jitsu master"
- ↑ U of MMA "Ronda Rousey & Henry Akins of Dynamix Martial Arts Interview" Published November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2015
- ↑ The Fight Works Podcast #198 Henry Akins, Luis Pantoja Februray 14, 2010
- ↑ On the Mat "A Conversation with Henry Akins" Published February 5, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2015
- ↑ Dynamix Martial Arts "Instructor Henry Akins Bio"
- ↑ U of MMA "Ronda Rousey & Henry Akins of Dynamix Martial Arts Interview" Published November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2015
- ↑ UFC.com "Jared Hamman - More Than Just Heart" By Jordan Newmark August 10, 2011|Retrieved March 11th, 2016
- ↑ Karyn Bryant for MMA H.E.A.T. "UFC's Stefan Struve Plans To Beat Up HW Division With A New, Improved Heart" Published May 2, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016
- ↑ Jiu-Jutsu Magazine "“Invisible Jiu-Jitsu” Weight Distribution with Henry Akins" by Mike Velez. Retrieved November 19, 2015
- ↑ The Jiu-Jutsu Vortex "BJJ Techniques from Henry Akins: “Closest living thing to Rickson Gracie" by Jeff Chan, June 16, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2015
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