Ethan Crelinsten
The Canadian Prodigy of Submission Grappling
Name: Ethan Crelinsten
Current Rank: Black Belt under John Danaher
Notable Achievements:
1st Place ADCC East Coast Trials (2018)
1st Place ADCC West Coast Trials (2017)
1st Place Jitz King Invitational (2020)
2nd Place BJJ Fanatics 170lbs GP (2020)
2nd Place P-Belum Invitational (2020)
Lineage: Carlos Gracie --> Helio Gracie --> Carlos Gracie Jr --> Renzo Gracie --> John Danaher --> Ethan Crelinsten
Ethan Crelinsten was not a sporty child and only started his journey in martial arts at the age of 19. He gained notoriety in jiu-jitsu's no-gi circuit and was the first athlete to earn a profile on BJJ Heroes before being promoted to black belt. He was initially a student of Firas Zahabi and later became part of the elite Danaher Death Squad.
Ethan Crelinsten Biography
Early Life and Introduction to Martial Arts
Born on May 14, 1994, in Montreal, Canada, Ethan Crelinsten was not your typical sporty child. His first foray into competitive sports came at the age of 19, influenced by the rising popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Canada. Initially focusing on striking and wrestling, Ethan's life took a turn when he joined Montreal's renowned TriStar Gym, led by Firas Zahabi.
The TriStar Influence
Under Zahabi's guidance, Ethan added Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to his training regimen. As time passed, he found himself more enamored with BJJ than MMA, eventually deciding to focus solely on submission grappling. Zahabi awarded Ethan all his belts from white to brown, shaping him into a formidable competitor.
The Danaher Connection
Ethan's link to the legendary John Danaher and the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York came through Tom Breese, a TriStar fighter. Breese introduced Ethan to one of Danaher's star pupils, Gordon Ryan, whose technical prowess inspired Ethan to seek training in New York. He quickly became part of the elite Danaher Death Squad, and in November 2020, he was awarded his black belt by John Danaher.
Competitive Achievements
Ethan Crelinsten's grappling record is nothing short of impressive:
1st Place ADCC East Coast Trials (2018)
1st Place ADCC West Coast Trials (2017)
1st Place Jitz King Invitational (2020)
2nd Place BJJ Fanatics 170lbs GP (2020)
2nd Place P-Belum Invitational (2020)
2nd Place Onnit Invitational 4 (2017)
His favorite position is Back Attacks, and he competes in the Peso Pena weight division (70,00 kg / 154.5 lbs).
The B-Team Era
In July 2021, the Danaher Death Squad disbanded due to various reasons, including personality conflicts and differing values. Later that year, Ethan, along with Craig Jones and Nicky Rodriguez, announced their new team, the "B-Team," based in Austin, Texas.
The Man Behind the Gi
Ethan Crelinsten is not just a list of titles and achievements; he's a young man driven by a relentless passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His journey from a late bloomer in sports to a black belt under one of the sport's greatest minds is a testament to his dedication, skill, and love for the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ethan Crelinsten
General Information
Q: Who is Ethan Crelinsten in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?
A: Ethan Crelinsten is a Canadian professional submission grappler and a student of both John Danaher and Firas Zahabi. He represents the New York-based Renzo Gracie Academy and Montreal's TriStar Gym. He gained notoriety in jiu-jitsu's no-gi circuit after his wins at the North American ADCC Trials in 2018 and 2019.
BJJ Achievements
Q: What are some of Ethan Crelinsten's notable achievements in BJJ?
A: Ethan Crelinsten has won multiple titles, including:
1st Place ADCC East Coast Trials (2018)
1st Place ADCC West Coast Trials (2017)
1st Place Jitz King Invitational (2020)
2nd Place BJJ Fanatics 170lbs GP (2020)
Q: What is Ethan Crelinsten's favorite position or technique in BJJ?
A: Ethan Crelinsten's favorite position is Back Attacks.
Training and Background
Q: How did Ethan Crelinsten get into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
A: Ethan Crelinsten started his journey into combat sports at the age of 19, initially focusing on MMA. He later shifted his focus to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after training at TriStar Gym under Firas Zahabi.
Q: Who were some of Ethan Crelinsten's main instructors?
A: Ethan Crelinsten's main instructors have been Firas Zahabi and John Danaher. He received all his belts from white to brown from Zahabi and was awarded his black belt by John Danaher.
Additional Information
Q: Has Ethan Crelinsten competed in ADCC?
A: Yes, Ethan Crelinsten has competed in ADCC and won 1st place in the ADCC East Coast Trials in 2018.
Q: What is Ethan Crelinsten's weight division?
A: Ethan Crelinsten competes in the Peso Pena weight division, which is approximately 70.00 kg or 154.5 lbs.
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