Wrap up - Kombat BJJ Classic

Sunday, 29 May 2011 13:51

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

You know when you start a blog entry with a quote about failure...things did not go according to plan...

On Saturday 28th May I headed to Brampton Ontario (just outside Toronto) for a local tournament - 2nd Annual Kombat BJJ Classic. The event, which I knew was going to be the smallest I had been to, offered me another opportunity to get after a gold medal, test my Jiu Jitsu and also a chance to support the local scene.

When I arrived and looked at the divisions there was noone in my (Master Blue Belt Lightweight) division so I had been put in the adult division instead. That was fine with me. I was going to get a gold medal for showing up, qualify for the Absolutes automatically and get to have 2 or 3 fights in my division. The Toronto BJJ team gradually started to arrive and as I was warming up / weighing in it appeared my first opponent had not shown up so I got an automatic through to the quarterfinals. The day was going well and I had not even fought!

After watching my first opponents fight I saw he was good with the Lapel choke from side control as he tapped out his opponent pretty quickly with this. When I eventually got to fight and we went to the ground I was trying for an inverted triangle but he passed my guard. Soon after I was caught too in the lapel choke. I tried to stop it but it was not to be. I then had a bronze medal fight but again I allowed my opponent to pass my guard and he put my in a bow and arrow choke.

I was upset and a bit ashamed at being choked out twice PLUS my (new) Girlfriend was watching so I did my best to keep my head high although I was hurting in my heart. Not the best day by far but as I say ' Win or Learn' I knew I had to get back training asap and work on those holes. I also need to get back on a strength and conditioning program if I am to compete at lightweight. Afterwards, I did not have the drive to go out and do the Absolute division. I hung out and supported all my Girlfriends interest in getting into BJJ as it seems the competition and all my talk about Jiu Jitsu was spurring her intrigue. I had not trained alot in May so what could I really expect? I'm happy that I got to see some of my team mates hit the podium, I got to meet some new people and I have some things to take home that I need to work on...

Such as..

Get back weight training to bulk up for The Lightweight division (I cant make featherweight when they weigh you with your GI) so gaining a few more pounds would do me well.
Work on fighting harder to not let my guard be passed. The conditioning wasn't there and I 'gave up' faster that I would like
Don't rest when my guard is passed to allow my opponent to lock up side control. Keep fighting to reguard. Instead of resting and waiting the the inevitable choke.
I really need to work on re-guarding when I am locked up in side Control. Creating space was hard.
Finding the 'spark' to get the fire alight before I fight. I am one of those guys who does better when I get pumped up before the fight. Going out all mellow doesn't appear to work for me...

Toronto BJJ took home the team trophy which is always a good prize..I did not collect my consolation gold...it was pointless.

However, all in all it was a less than stellar day for me but I'll be back. Back in the competition and back in at the Academy.

Congrats to everyone who competed and supported this event. Looking forward to next year.

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