Adekola Williams

My name is Adekola Williams. My grandfather is from Nigeria and my name means the crown brings wealth (or God of the lions because the lions are the kings and they are wealthy with love and family). I am a Floridian I’ve been living in Miami my entire life. I was raised in Liberty City, later on, I  moved to Brownsville with my grandmother after my father was incarcerated. I came from a rough neighborhood; so far 2 of my friends died one on September 1st and the other October 9th. It’s sad but it’s normal around my block.

I started jiu jitsu about 7-8 years ago. I fell in love with the sport from day one. I always liked to fight as a kid. I fought more than I studied in school. I would fight because it was fun. Looking back, I fought because I was very angry growing up not having a father to guide me. I had to grow up very fast on the streets. I had to choose my own path. When we played basketball or football with my friends, drugs were offered to me all the time but I always refused . Jiu jitsu helped me get away from the negativity. My first professor was Ryan J. Jardine(aka Mr J),  a black belt under Roberto Cyborg Abreu. He was an instructor at Fightsports Miami and a teacher at my elementary school - Holmes Elementary.  

Mr Jardine would see me often in the principle’s office. One day he invited my cousin and I to try jiu jitsu. My aunt took me to the class and from that day on I was hooked. Here I am, 7 years later, Mr.J and I have created a social project at our school called Project Grapple. It’s a non - profit after school program for low income students in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood.

Nickname?
Spaghetti, AL
 
What is your current state of mind?
Winning World NoGi
 
What are your addictions?
Jiu-jitsu, Eating chocolate, peanut butter and Nutella
 
What are your biggest accomplishments in life?
Receiving my Blue belt, Winning Pan-Am, becoming a Coach at my old elementary school teaching the thing I love the most Jiu-Jitsu 
 
Words that most describe you:
Humble, Playful, Serious and Loving 
 
If you could super power, what would that be?
My super power would be to read people’s mind so I can  know what move or position they are going to try before they could get a chance 
 
What is it that you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be a multi Black Belt World Champion
 
Tell us one thing we don’t know about you, but we should:
My favorite rapper is Gherbo 
 
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
I would change the violence also spread more money into low income areas so that all kids and families have achance to succeed in life 
 
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Training everyday twice, Eating Nutella and Nativo Açai together with my own gym and a beautiful family 
 
What is your greatest fear?
Not being remembered when I die 
 
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
A historical figure I would compare myself to is Allen Iverson he was put into prison  but fought and came back into the NBA where he was not wanted because of his style and image but stayed true to where he was from which inspired me a  lot
 
Which living person do you most admire?
Ryan J. Jardine he is the most amazing person always out  going to give a hand, Leg and an arm to people in need 
 
What do you like most about yourself?
My voice 
 
What is the trait you most DISLIKE in yourself?
That I am supper tall I feel like the giraffe in a ocean 
 
What is your greatest extravagance?
Shoes I love shoes 
 
What is your greatest regret?
Not telling my friend I love him before he died 
 
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My height I don’t like being so tall 
 
If you were to die and come back as another person or thing, what do you think it would be?
If I were to die I would want to come back as a super hero who fight crime using jiu jitsu and giving Nutella to people feeling down
 
What is your most treasured possessions?
My medals and shoes 
 
Where would you like to live if you could live anywhere in the world?
California because I want to open my future gym there and compete as one of the greatest if not the greatest team in the sport of jiu-jitsu 
 
What is your ideal occupation?
Teaching Jiu-jitsu 
 
Who are your heroes in real life?
Roberto Cyborg Abreu 
 
What is your life motto?
Eat train sleep repeat 
 
List 3 things you cannot live without?
Training, food & water, my phone 
 
What is your legacy?
That’s a great question but I can’t tell you that because I’m only beginning my journey 
 
What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
There are always 3 sides to a story; one person side, the other person side, and the part where they agree or story is the same/similar 
 
What do you consider your greatest personal failure?
When I lost the Worlds. Not technically or physically but mentally I was not all there.  
 
Last words?
I hope you guys enjoy training as much as me have fun Aloha  PS: Get some Nutella and rock and roll   

Many thanks to: Storm kimonos , Kekoa Collective, Nativo Açaí Cyborg and the whole fightsports family also my grandmother keeping me out of trouble and teaching me the right wayto be a young man taking care of responsibilities and having moral