MA and ME (Cap.11 PROF. Carlos Damasco

MARTIAL ARTS and ME (p. 11)

Professor Carlos Damasco

I have the pleasure of interviewing two Uruguayan martial artists, creators of a self-defense system. On the one hand, Carlos A. Olivera, Traditional Jiujitsu teacher, Boxing trainer, Kyusho International Member (System that attacks nerve centers), co-founder of S.I.R.R. and other systems. On the other hand Nicolás Lecouna, Professor of Aikido and Combat Aikido, Instructor of Kyusho International, Krav Maga, level one and more. He also co-founded S.i.R.R. .

How about Carlos and Nicholas? You are the creators of a Uruguayan Personal Defense system, and why such a name?

The system is Uruguayan and created by us, based on the problems of insecurity and violence in our country and also on the Legitimate Defense Law. How long have you been practicing Martial Arts and Contact Sports? Coincidentally, the two of us had Martial contacts in the year 1994. When did you meet? We met in 2013, in that year Natalia Bronzini brought Kiyusho International to Uruguay and we attended that meeting and those to come. That's where our relationship began.

Have you done anything together before?

If we have interacted a lot throughout these years. Sometimes through shared classes, other times just exchanging indoors and before releasing the System to the public, we hold a seminar. We have certainly shared a lot.

How did the idea of creating a System arise? The idea of the System arise spontaneously. In other words, between the two of us we have many similarities and we have a very strong work rhythm. That meant that in the exchanges that we had behind closed doors, we began to glimpse something. The conversation arose without looking for it, we both agreed that we wanted to train people with tools that we both possessed. And the truth is, although it took

us two years of work to finish it, it was not difficult for us to reach the necessary consensus to find what, in our opinion, was the best for the System. To achieve this, the Ego must be left aside and not everyone is willing to do so. Metaphorically speaking, we understood that with the knowledge that each one had, we had to put together the toolbox for S.I.R.R. We consider that we put the best of each one, and we made the necessary adaptations trying to think of everything. Perhaps and surely we have things to improve and over time we will. But we are proud of the final product.

What is S.I.R.R.?

Instinctive Fast Reaction System. It is a system based on the instinctive responses of the human being in situations of physical, emotional or psychological violence. S.I.R.R. Take advantage of that first reaction, work from there and try to quickly resolve the situation. Each human being is different in all areas and we understand that working on survival instinct, we find a point of inflection. In that aspect there is an adaptability in the techniques. Taken to the field, the objective would be for people to be able to solve a situation of violence not only with what the System offers them, but also with what one already brings.

Do they have degrees and programs?

If indeed people have training through certain programs that are staggered and increase in complexity. Someone starting from scratch, let's say, can become an Instructor in an average of four to five years. In the Monitor Courses it is different. Only people who have a degree of Instructor or Professor in any Martial Art or Combat Sport have access to them. The latter with a previous interview, because although the System is not exclusive, we reserve the right of admission. We have a characteristic profile that we try to safeguard and that is also the reason why people choose us.

How do you select the Monitors?

They go through a previous interview as we said, and what is sought is that they adapt to the profile of the System.

Who is the SIRR for?

It is mainly aimed at the civilian population since the idea of it arises from the need to provide people with a response to the insecurity that our country is going through. It should be noted that the system adapts to the person. On the other hand, it also has a police and military approach respecting the approaches, needs and responsibilities of each group.

Tell me how a class develops?

Class development is always based on the type of students you have. For this, there must be prior planning, although there are times when unforeseen events arise and the (Instructor, Monitor) must adapt the class, planning is always sought. Well, in the development of the class there are certain items that are mandatory and in them the characteristics of the system are defined.

In matters of personal defense, each Master has his book, beyond certain universal criteria that should be respected. We try to cover as many areas as possible and give people personalized attention. We don't just focus on hitting, there's another background of things that we work on in depth with people. Although we are not a martial art, we have certain principles that are mandatory within a class and obviously in the system itself.

What is the difference between Self Defense and Urban Combat?

In personal defense we work on prevention and looking for a quick way out of the situation. Urban combat comes in when the situation is more complex. Taken to the field let's say, I couldn't prevent or get out of the situation, I got into a fight with my aggressor and I have to resolve the situation.

What do you think are their strengths?

Our strengths are various to our way of seeing. Prevention, the instinctive part, the attack on the nervous system, working from the ground, emotional and psychological development, quick exits and strong teamwork.

Does prevention work?

That's right, it is unthinkable for us to work on self-defense without addressing its prevention. Are they legally protected? Yes, we are covered by the MEC, as a mixed cultural and educational institute.

Do you have a logo and trademark registration then?

Yes, the brand is registered with the Ministry of Industry.

SIRR is a company?

It has all the legal protections to be one and the idea is to make it grow. In our perspective it is, we are offering a product because we saw a need, and in turn there is a market for it.

Where does the system point?

The system aims to have its own identity. Although it is more than clear that what has been put into it comes from everything learned in these years, we try to separate the waters. The system has its own life and this is how we present it, you can see similarities but we are not the same. We aim to grow and open paths in Uruguay and outside of it.