Combat Academy Junior Fighters at The British Championships
Following four rounds of qualifying events held throughout the year, ten members of Hereford's Combat Academy qualified to fight in the British Open Ju-Jutsu Kumite championships, and they returned with 2 British Champions, 3 silver and 3 bronze medallists.
Ju-Jutsu Kumite is a relatively new martial art that combines the punching and kicking of Karate, with the throwing techniques from Judo and the grappling skills of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Olympic Wrestling.
A three time British champion Olly Bohn was looking to make it four in a row. Olly gave an outstanding performance scoring with head kicks, throws and some very competent ground-fighting in his four fights en-route to the final of the under 35kg category. In the final Olly defeated club-mate Jacob Spink, who had fought through to the final on the other side of the draw.
In last years event Lsia Jones had been narrowly defeated in the fight for the Bronze medal and she was looking to improve on her performance. Lisa did not disappoint as she stormed her way to the gold medal and British title in the girls under 30kg category.
In the boys under 25 kilo category Antonio Celozzi and Ryan Hill were both competing in their first British championships. Ryan regularly trains three nights a week at the Combat Academy and this dedication certainly showed as he defeated three tough opponents en-route the final. Antonio also had some tough bouts as he fought his way to the Bronze medal. In the final Ryan was narrowly defeated by his higher graded opponent and so had to settle for the Silver medal.
Also competing in his first major championships, Ben Oliver put in an outstanding performance as he fought his was to the Bronze medal in the boys under 30kg category. Ben had narrowly missed out on a place in the final after loosing his semi-final bout in the last fifteen seconds of the fight.
Becky Hayes was defending the British title she had taken at last years event. Following a couple of tough fights Becky face her nemesis, Christine McDonnagh from the Gracie Barra Derby club. The pair have fought many times with Becky yet to record a win. Becky put in her best performance to date loosing by a single point after the fight had gone the distance.
Awaiting Photo
Awaiting Photo
A one stripe white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Nick Hughes had defeated a black belt in the qualifying rounds held in June. Again Nick was to face higher graded opponents in the mens under 86kg category, and following five tough fights Nick collected the Bronze medal.
