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Mike Swain, 51, is one of the most respected judo teachers in the USA, and his students have solid reasons to admire him. Solid and golden. Mike is the first American ever to win the World Judo Championship, in 1987, at lightweight, and the next year he snapped up a bronze medal at the Seoul Olympics.

The owner of a classic style of fighting, Mike lives in Campbell, California, and trains in San Jose. He recently encountered another teacher admired for his teaching methods and the titles he has won in Flavio “Cachorrinho” Almeida.

“We were searching for a high-quality mat for Gracie Barra, and the Swain company has an awesome product. That’s how we came to be friends, and he did a seminar at my school. I wanted to return the favor, so I went to teach at his judo school in San Jose,” remarked Flavio. “Some of the judokas there are getting ready for the London-2012 Games, and I was glad to help out a bit.”

Check out the training session between Olympic medalist and the GB professor of Jiu-Jitsu. Don’t forget to share what you learned in and what you thought of the video, in the comments field below.