New Jiu Jitsu Academy Opening in Malta
Logo via Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy.
MALTA — The Eddie Fyvie Jiu-Jitsu Academy held its final class on Jan. 3, closing its doors after 13 years in business (Fyvie has joined the Spa City Jiu Jitsu Academy as a full-time teacher). But a new academy is already set to take its place, providing a home for local grapplers.
Kirby Ives is the head instructor of Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy, which is located next door to the old Eddie Fyvie location at 100 Saratoga Village Blvd. Ives is a black belt who trained under Fyvie, and his academy officially opens on Feb. 1 but is already accepting new students. Ives has been active in the local jiu jitsu scene for decades.
“I wanted to be a ninja when I was a little kid,” Ives told Saratoga TODAY. “I saw ‘Enter the Dragon’ when I was four years old and I was like, ‘That’s who I want to be.’”
With visions of Bruce Lee dancing in his head, Ives started wrestling in school and then took up boxing as a teenager before getting into jiu jitsu. One of his early mentors was Saratoga TODAY publisher Chad Beatty.
“Chad brought high-level jiu jitsu to Upstate New York,” Ives said. “After a few months of training in his basement, I was being exposed to unbelievable technique. I was meeting unbelievable guys that fought in Pride and UFC and Pancrase.”
At one point in his life, Ives was forced to navigate a challenging personal situation that left him feeling lost. But rather than turn towards unhealthy ways of dealing with his emotions, he instead found jiu jitsu.
“Jiu jitsu is something that absolutely empowers people and allows for a paradigm shift and gives people a sense of what is possible when you’re firing on all cylinders,” he said. “Your problem-solving skills are better, your sense of confidence is better. You move through space differently, in a physical way. You start to exude a certain vibe that people can recognize.”
For those interested in signing up with the Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy, a founder’s rate discount is available if they join prior to the Feb. 1 official opening.
There are a few ways to get in touch with the new academy: by phone (518-937-4899), email (maltajiujitsu@gmail.com), and Facebook (at the Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy page).