Dave makes it Jiu Jitsu World Championships medal number four
Herefords leading martial arts instructor Dave Coles has once again tested his fighting ability to the maximum. Representing the Gracie Barra UK team, Dave travelled to Rio De Janeiro Brazil to compete in the World Masters Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships. Following his two world titles in last years event at Blue Belt level, his instructor, Braulio Estima, promoted him to Purple Belt – a level generally consistent with 3 - 6 years of training.
In preparation for the event Dave spent three weeks training up to six hours a day with the professional fighters at the Gracie Barra academy in Rio. Training at this level in the UK is impossible as there are only five Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts in the country. At a typical training session in Rio there are up to 20 Black Belts, including several current World champions. Dave even had the opportunity to spar with members of the legendary Gracie family, including Carlos Gracie Jnr, chief instructor of Gracie Barra and son of the man who devised the Gracie Jiu Jitsu fighting system.
The championships were held over two days at the Tijuca Sports Club, some 20 miles from the centre of Rio. On the Saturday Dave fought in the heavyweight category (under 91kg). At last years event Dave had defeated six of his seven opponents inside the distance. However, competitors in the Purple Belt category are of a much higher technical level and this year all except one of Dave’s fights en route to the final went the distance, with his victories coming by way of narrow points wins.
In the final Dave faced Jorge Biasio a tough Brazilian fighter from the Royler Gracie academy. Three minutes into the fight the scores were locked at 0 – 0. But in the later stages of the fight Dave’s superior levels of fitness began to show with him scoring 2 points for a throw followed by further points for hold-downs to give Dave the Gold medal and World title.
Dave returned to the event on the Sunday to compete in the absolute (open weight) category. Following a bye in the first round Dave defeated opponents from America and Argentina to progress to the semi-final. Here Dave faced another tough Brazilian, Roberto Ventura. With the scores level 3 minutes into the fight Dave attempted a throw but was thwarted by his strong opponent and as the fight went to the ground Ventura scored 2 points for a sweep followed by a further 4 points for securing a hold-down. Despite escaping the hold Dave was unable to get back into the match as his opponent employed a very tight defensive strategy to run the clock down for the points win, leaving Dave with the Bronze medal.
In the final Ventura defeated American Rick Sparks of the Helio Soneca Academy, who had taken the gold medal in his weight category. Ventura threw Sparks with a text book tai toshi, landing directly in side control and then taking the mount to secure the gold medal. Additionally Roberto was awarded his Brown Belt on the podium.
Apology
It was previously incorrectly reported that Roberto Ventura had scored 20 points and submitted Rick two minutes into the final. This information was taken in good faith from an internet forum. The above report has now been ammended.
