The 16th of this month was King of the Gym no time limit no gi tournament held at the Capoeira Academy here in Okinawa. I understand it was the 6th installment and was very well attended.
We had 3 fighters enter the tournament. Kelvin, Kian, and James.
Kelvin won his first fight by bicep lock and his second by ninja calf slicer. Proving you don't need to be a brown belt in bjj to finish fights with compression locks. He came 1st overall in the beginners 75-80kg division.
Kelvin received his 4th stripe on his white belt the following class.
Kian who had less than one months training did his three weeks justice. Fighting an 18 minute fight and a 12 minute fight consecutively. Both of his opponents were easily more experienced but Kian gave them a run for their money. Fighting in your first tournament is always hard, let alone fighting in no time limit matches. Well done Kian.
James had three fights in the advanced under 65kg division against two worthy opponents from Paraestra Okinawa. James won his first fight by armbar in 5 minutes, second fight by triangle choke in under 3 minutes, and his third in 2 and 1/2 minutes by armbar from the triangle position. Thank you to Paraestra for entering into the tournament James didn't think he would have anyone to fight and lucked out.
The following weekend Jay joined the mainland Japan team in Nagoya and entered the Aichi prefecture open. Aichi tournaments are especially tough with almost all of the competitors being Brazilian or Brazilian trained Japanese. Jay was in for some tough fights. The team on the whole did very well with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals coming home with the Gracie Oceania team. Jay won the ultra-heavy weight division and placed 3rd in the absolute division. Nice work! Nice medals!
Finally, but not least Sakumoto was received his first stripe. Sakumoto is one of the most regular morning students training up to and over 15 times a month. Congratulations!
Lastly, recently a black belt from the states returned home after his posting in Okinawa.
Despite being from another team Jay Turner often found time to support our team in tournaments, seminars, and training. Jay organised great tournaments and developed one of the toughest teams in Okinawa. Thanks for all your work here in the Okinawan BJJ community Jay!
Building it step by step, like playing with legos.
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