Page 140 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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SSgt Horton was part of the Army Team that sparred for 24 Hours to raise money for Combat Stress
training can be used for sport grappling tournaments and in self- defence situations. Sparring (commonly referred to as ‘rolling’) and live drilling play a major role in training; a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, speci cally to progress and ascension through its ranking system.
RAPTC Martial Arts have had a very successful training year within BJJ; it commenced with a productive 2 week training camp at Gracie Barra, Cyprus. We were hosted by Professor Argyris Argyrides, a BJJ black belt and head instructor at his world famous academy. In BJJ the black belt is the highest common belt within in the sport denoting an expert level of technical and practical skill. BJJ black belts are often addressed within the art as ‘Professor’. It must be noted, it will take a minimum of 10 years of consistent training to attain the honourable black belt! During our time in Cyprus, we were unquestionably tested due in part to the particularly HOT and demanding conditions, training no less than 8 hours a day over 10 days!
Nevertheless, it was a rst-rate platform for creating success. We have practitioners now medalling at national competitions and training with the world elite. This has resulted in the RAPTC having numerous Army Champions. In addition, we have a number of team members that were part of the Army Team that raised £3956 for combat stress by sparring for constantly 24 hours; the team completed 1136 rounds!
Following winning double gold at the Army BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) Championships, Sgt (SI) Santangeli RAPTC continued his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) winning streak with a Unanimous Decision win over a tough unbeaten opponent from the Royal Marines. His opponent, a purple belt in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) was relentlessly trying to keep the ght on the ground but Sgt Santangelis training and conditioning paid off as he dominated his opponent for the majority of the ght.
There are so many parallels with frontline combat and Jiu-Jitsu and the picture above captures it well. Whether you’re caught
Sgt Santangeli Announced as the Winner
Sgt (SI) N Santangeli in the rear naked choke
in an ambush or a ght ending in submission, dealing with overwhelming adversity requires tenacity, decisive and well drilled action, coupled with perfect timing...... Sgt (SI) Santangeli RAPTC shows true grit to not only defend the choke, but come back and win the ght. This is what the British Army and Jiu-Jitsu is all about.
We are currently planning the next Martial Arts venture and scoping out the next training symposium, this time multi-disciplined with many of the RAPTC team subsequently competing in national competitions. Our intention is to take the team to the European Championships in Jan 18 and recruit new talent along the way, growing our expertise.
The main aim of the RAPTC Road Cycling Race Team for 2016 was to retain the accolade of Inter Corps Road Race Champions (ICRRC), a title we have held for the last 2 years. Unfortunately, on the day of the race we were beaten by the better team. However, this has given us all, more drive and determination to work harder in the forthcoming season; ensuring that we regain the title for 2017.
In September this year, shortly after my completion of RAPTC Instructor’s Course I was fortunate enough to attend the RAPTC Road Cycling Training Camp to Cyprus. This was a 7 day training
camp consisting of various arduous but rewarding serials. These included long Zone 2 rides, short tempo rides and race simulated efforts in some of the most beautiful mountainous scenery that Cyprus has to offer.
These were all in preparation for the Inter Corps Road Racing Championships to be held at RAF Lyneham the following month. The team consisted of a wide rank range from Junior Sgts to Senior Majors and riders of varying experience and ability. The team were accommodated at Episkopi Station and following every ride were replenished at Happy Valley for a detailed debrief. As a
ROAD CYCLING “CYPRUS” 2016
Sgt (SI) MH Kirkbright RAPTC