Post Annual...

Monday, 13 December 2010 00:05

The 2010 Toronto BJJ annual has come and gone for another year. The tournament featured almost 200 fighters. The group photo took about 30 minutes to organise. The promotions swept through and many of my team mates are now wearing new colours around their waists.

(pics courtesy of Vernon Anthony Kee)

I apologise for the lack of picture, video and updates as I was a little 'blog shy' at the event and, knowing there would be many others taking pics and videos I opted for quietly taking most of the event in from the bleachers.

Music, warm atmosphere, lots of people - 4 mats - concessions & free Tim Horton's Coffee and Sandwiches (Win). There was a good vibe at Downsview park. I was grouped in with the Adult lightweights and went 1:1. I fell into a triangle again and Oscar secured the win with it. Then I was able to get a quick bow and arrow choke in my second fight. Congrats to Oscar for winning the division and for a year of hard work! Bronze was cool with me and that marked my last fight of 2010. Then it was onto the group picture & promotions.

The group photo took a while to organise but it happened! (see below)

After Grapplers Quest I decided to keep working hard and try to secure a promotion but I felt I still had some adjustments to make to my game. I will admit that I was wondering if I would get my purple. I kept telling myself it wasn't going to happen so I would not be disappointed. And that's just what happened. Only a few blue belts made it to Purple this year. I think my biggest fear was I did not want to feel like I was being left behind as I am working doubly hard to keep up. But none of this came to pass.

And now I am excited to enter 2011 still on my Blue Belt. I get the chance to earn more stripes, to compete at the same level to help develop my skills and when the time comes to receive it - it will be a surprise. And, with the exception of the guys who made it to Purple, I remain with all my friends and close team mates at Blue - and I am happy with that. Regardless I feel my game is improving every week.

Professor Britto Spoke at the start of the promotions about his time at the club and highlighted some successes we have had and the need to keep working as a family. He credited all his assistants and students. And then he promoted about 90 people.

There are many guys that got promoted that are close to me and I congratulate them for all their dedication and hard work.

This is your time to shine.