Open weight: A clean sweep for Gracie Barra (Birmingham).
Dave Coles (Bronze) Braulio Estima (Gold) Glen Brodrick (Silver)
Combat Academy instructors Dave Coles and Simon Small travelled to Nottingham to fight in the Knockdown Sport Budo (KSBO) Ground-fighting Championships. Representing the Birmingham Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Academy they competed in the over 90 kg category against martial artists and submission fighters from a variety of different styles.
In his first fight v Steve Brookes of Thetford Judokwai, Dave managed to submit his opponent via an arm-lock, despite giving away 21 kilos.
In the quarter final he faced Andrew Astle of Yawara Ryu. Dave wore his opponent down with a variety of ground holds before finally submitting him with another arm-lock.
On the other side of the draw Dave's instructor, Braulio Estima, dispatched of his first two opponents in a total time of 30 seconds.
In the fight off for the Bronze medal Dave secured an early hold-down on Andrew Harby of Yawara Ryu. His opponent spent much of the fight trying to escape and avoiding Dave's arm lock and strangle attempts. In the dying seconds of the fight Dave secured an arm-lock to force the submission, and take the bronze medal.
The silver medal went to Glen Brodrick, another Gracie Barra fighter, making it a clean sweep for the Birmingham club in the open weight category.
Simon defeated Martin Mothersoe of Cambridge Free Fight in his first fight by referees decision after the fight had gone the full 5 minutes. In his second fight he lost by an arm-bar to the experienced Mark Day.
In the under 90 kg category Braulio and Ande Roberts made it a double for the Birmingham Academy taking Gold and Silver respectively, while Rachael Wheatly annihilated all before her to take gold in the ladies category. Glen Brodrick improved on his silver medal by taking the gold in the under 80 kg category.
