TRIBE X PROGRESS JIU-JITSU
Posted by Ellis Byrne on
Meet Federico Tisi; The first Italian black belt, founder of Tribe Jiu-Jitsu and 2x IBJJF European Masters 2 Champion.
We flew Federico Tisi over to Progress HQ last week to spend some time with the team, get hands-on with what we’ve been working on and look towards the future of our long-standing relationship with Tribe Jiu-Jitsu.
Federico has been involved in Jiu-Jitsu since the mid-90s and founded Tribe Jiu-Jitsu in 1999. Today, Tribe has grown into an organisation with 35 affiliates across Italy, stretching from the northern border with Austria all the way down to Sicily.
With more than 30 years in the sport, Federico brings a unique perspective when it comes to the products we make. So, while he was here, we wanted to give him a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes at Progress.
What do you look for in a product?
“Newcomers tend to be impressed by the graphics of a product, whereas as a veteran I can see beyond that. I’m looking for quality in the fit, stitching and embroidery. Those are the details that make the difference between an okay product and an elite one.”
What stood out to you during your visit?
“It’s been very interesting to get hands-on with the samples and see how the crew are pushing this innovative process. They’re constantly looking for new ways to improve the product.”
Why work with Progress?
“It’s hard to do something well made while keeping it simple and clean. When I saw Progress, it just clicked. It was a brand that was on the same page, with a European taste that I really liked. It’s been great to grow the academy with the support of a company that shares the same approach to Jiu-Jitsu and business.”
There’s plenty more from Federico in the full interview, where he talks about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, building Tribe, the growth of the sport in Italy and our ongoing work together.
For us, it’s a privilege to work alongside an organisation with the history, experience and reach of Tribe Jiu-Jitsu, and we’re very excited about what we can build together in the future.