The Combat Academy & Hereford Contact Karate Club Groundfighting Tournament
October 2005
The Combat Academy and Hereford Contact Karate Club recently hosted the second of their bi-annual Ground-fighting championships. In addition to fighters from the host clubs, the event, which continues to grow in popularity, attracted fighters from Gracie Barra Bristol, Sleeping Storm Surrey, Mill Hill Ju-Jitsu Club London, Royce Gracie Norwich and St Helens Judo Club.
Ground-fighting is a hybrid combat sport combining the skills and techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sport Ju-Jutsu and Wrestling, with points being awarded for pins, holds and for fighters over the age of sixteen, submission techniques such as arm/leg locks and chokes/strangles.
In the intermediates category Carlos Yarbrudy of Sleeping Storm defeated all three opponents without conceding a single point to take the gold medal. With no junior categories, 15 year old Daniel Strauss of Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club put in an outstanding performance to collect the silver medal with Lewis Green of The Combat Academy taking the bronze
Five competitors battled it out In the under 74kg category. Colin Penn of Sleeping Storm and Matthew Witerstone recorded 3 wins, with Colin taking first place and the Gold medal having scored more points in his fights than Matthew, who took the silver medal. Jimmy Pong of Gracie Barra Bristol had some tough fights to collect the bronze.
Eight competitors battled it out in the under 81kg category. Split into two pools of four, the fighters were looking at 5 fights for a medal. In pool 1 Hal Bent of Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club stormed his way to the semi-final without conceding a single point, Teemu Leinonen of The Combat Academy secured second place after some tough fights
In pool 2 Lubomir Rapasky of Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club defeated all 3 of his opponents without conceding a point to progress to the semi-final, with Kevin Cox of Royce Gracie Norwich taking the other semi-final place.
In the first semi-final Hal Bent faced Kevin Cox and with the scores level at the end of five minutes of fighting, a referees decision saw Kevin progress to the final.
In the second semi-final Lubomir Rapasky defeated Teemu Leinonen. Teemu then faced Hal in the fight off for the bronze medal with Hal taking the win.
The final of the –81kg category Kevin Cox of Royce Gracie Norwich faced Lubomir Rapasky of Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club and following a very close fight Lubomir took the Gold medal by one advantage.
Richard Weatherall of Gracie Barra Bristol recorded 3 wins to take the Gold medal in the under 90kg category, with club-mate Gary King taking the silver and Bram Roberts of the Combat Academy taking the bronze
In the over 90kg category Greg Creel of Gracie Barra Bristol showed some good groundfighting skills in his tough fights en route to a very hard earned gold medal. Rob Beech had made the long journey from St Helens and did not go home empty handed collecting the silver medal. With John Downes of The Combat Academy collecting the bronze medal after defeating club-mate Chris Koniecrny.
Pat Baker and Andrew Blanchard of The Combat Academy and Gary King of Gracie Barra Bristol made up the Masters category. Gary displayed some slick groundfighting skills to take the Gold medal with Pat and Andrew taking the Silver and Bronze respectively.
The aim of the event had been to run a friendly event giving competitors as many fights as possible.
At the start of the day Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Clubs’ Lubomir Rapasky had enquired about us running an open category as he would like to have as many fights as possible. Eight fights later Lubo went home very happy although somewhat exhausted!
On the day after the event Academy Instructor Dave Coles received the following e-mail from Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club Instructor, Nick Brooks.
"Hi dave just like to say thanks for a great day, An excellent comp well organised well run and the most consistant refereeing ive seen at a grappling comp, a high standard of technique from everybody, great atmosphere met some really nice people and respect to everyone who came and fought.....Nick M.H.J.J.C"
Full Results:
Intermediates
1 Carlos Yarbrudy Sleeping Storm
2 Daniel Strauss Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club
3 Lewis Green The Combat Academy
Under 74kg
1 Colin Penn Sleeping Storm
2 Matthew Witherstone Independent
3 Jimmy Pong Gracie Barra Bristol
Under 81kg
1 Lubomir Repasky Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club
2 Kevin Cox Royce Gracie Norwich
3 Hal Bent Mill Hill Ju Jitsu Club
Under 90kg
1 Richard Weatherall Gracie Barra Bristol
2 Gary King Gracie Barra Bristol
3 Bram Roberts The Combat Academy
Over 90kg
1 Greg Creel Gracie Barra Bristol
2 Rob Beech St Helens Judo
3 John Downes The Combat Academy
Veterans
1 Gary King Gracie Barra Bristol
2 Pat Baker The Combat Academy
3 Andrew Blanchard The Combat Academy
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