Academy Instructors Dave and Simon travelled to Rio de Janeiro Brazil to compete in the World Masters Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships.
In preparation for the event the pair spent several weeks training up to five 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.
The championships were held over two days at the Tijuca Sports Club, some 15 miles from the centre of Rio.
Competing in the Purple Belt open weight category, a level generally consistent with 3 - 6 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, Dave had the luck of the draw receiving a bye in the first round.
In his quarter final bout Dave quickly scored with a takedown and then dominated the rest of the fight to progress to the next round.
In the semi-final Dave faced Bruce Tayafoa. A two time World champion, Tayafoa is a tough competitor who recently took first place and a $1000 cash prize at a tournament in Abu Dhabi. Tayafoa attempted a takedown which Dave thwarted and then secured a strangle hold, the tough American refused to submit, struggling until he lapsed into unconsciousness and the referee stopped the fight.
In the final Dave faced American Mike Cassie who had submitted all his opponents en-route to the final. With no score after the first minutes of the fight Dave attempted a throw but was countered conceding 2 points. The fight went to the ground with Dave establishing a good attacking position, but Cassie then adopted an extreme defensive position, hoping to run the clock down and protect his 2 point lead. Despite a warning from the referee, Cassie continued his defensive tactics and the referee gave another warning, awarding an advantage to Dave. Dave himself also scored two advantages for near successful attacks but could not penetrate Cassie’s defence.
With continued inactivity from Cassie the referee gave another warning and awarded a single point to Dave. A further 20 seconds if inactivity would have resulted in another penalty putting Dave in the lead and giving him the World title. But half a second before the penalty was issued, the bell sounded for the end of the fight.
Although an improvement on the Bronze medal Dave took in last years event, this result was a bitter disappointment for the Hereford fighter
Simon competed in the Blue Belt open weight category, a level generally associated with up to 4 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. With 40 competitors in the bracket, this was one of the largest categories of the championships.
Following a bye in the first round Simon faced a tough first fight. After a brief stand up exchange Simon was caught with a two-point takedown and then went a further 3 points behind when his opponent secured a pin. With only two minutes of the fight remaining Simon managed to turn his opponent and secure a hold of his own. Despite several attempts to score further points through holds his opponent maintained a tight defence. Simon then switched tactics, attacking with an armlock and forcing his opponent to submit.
In the Quarter Finals Simon faced a strong opponent who had recorded two submission wins in his previous fights. Simon was caught with a takedown and then had to defend as his opponent attempted several sweeps. After weathering the storm Simon managed to establish some control over his opponent and attempted an arm-lock. His opponents resilience to the lock had to be seen to be believed as his arm bent into an unimaginable position. Simon changed the angle of the arm-lock, but again his opponent refused to submit. Summoning all his strength Simon forced the arm further until his opponent screamed in pain and the referee stopped the fight. Simon progressed to the semi-final, his opponent progressed to the hospital.
In the Semi Final Simon faced tough Brazilian Kristian Cereastro, a former World silver medallist and student of Jiu Jitsu legend, Royler Gracie. For the first few minutes of the fight both competitors made strong attacks from standing but neither managed to score. Wanting to get the first points on the board Simon attempted a big throw, but was countered as the fight went to the floor giving 2 points to the Brazilian. Simon established a good attacking position, scoring a couple of advantages and forcing the Brazilian to defend. Being 2 points down and with less than a minute of the fight remaining, Simon made several attempts to score with turnovers and making several submission attempts, but the Brazilian maintained a tight defence and ran the clock down to leave Simon with a hard earned bronze medal.
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