Page 12 - Chiron Spring 2020

12 CHIRON CALLING
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Medals galore for the Vet Corps
Private Joshua Arden 105 MWD Sqn
The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) Army championships was held in the Canada House Combat Centre, Aldershot this month. Featuring white belts to brown belts, Gi and No-Gi, spanning across all weight categories it was a full day of bouts for the teams who competed.
Originating in Japan and further developed in Brazil, Jiu-Jitsu is a sport that continues to grow. It started to pick up traction in the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene of the 1990’s as Royce Gracie made his mark in the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 1). His grappling style, of submission-based fighting, reigned supreme over a host of martial arts brought forward by a selection of the world’s top competitors in their respective disciplines. The Gracie family name became etched into MMA history with a bloodline of martial arts royalty.
As a white belt, and a far cry from the Gracie’s, I’d initially planned to compete, but a dog bite led me to pull out. However, I was still able to support the team and went along as a spectator and, more importantly, photographer. The 1 MWD Regt team was primarily made up of BJJ novices, and a token blue belt... I paid particular attention to the white belts, which had scores of exciting and dynamic bouts. What fighters lacked in technique and ability they made up with sheer will and determination. Often strength would prevail and earn fighters a submission win but in a gruelling five-minute match up, physically stronger competitors could find themselves fatigued early and out scored on points or tapped out themselves.
One stand out match that had spectators gripped was a featherweight Gi bout between Private (Pte) Liam James, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), and Sapper (Spr) Alfie Wilson of the Royal Engineers (RE). The contest was loaded with take downs, counters and scrambles as Spr Wilson took the earlier stages, with Pte James finding his second wind as
the fight progressed, giving his colleges plenty to cheer about. Although he was out scored on points in that match Pte James’ persevered in following bouts and went on to win a silver medal in the no Gi tournament; beating fellow RAVC
What fighters lacked in technique and ability they made up with sheer will and determination
competitor Sergeant (Sgt) Scott Kent.
Sgt Kent further bolstered the medal tally by bringing home a Bronze in the featherweight, white belt Gi tournament. Pte Taylor Bell, our star grappler, brought home a Gold in the middle-heavyweight
white belt category via back to back astonishing arm bar victories. Other 1 MWD Regt medal winners were (RAMC infiltrator) Capt Vicky Phillips, two silver medals – just don’t ask how many competitors there were, and Pte Sidney Mitchell our only blue belt competitor who claimed Bronze in his bout.
To cap off the tournament spectators were treated to some high-level brown belt contests in which competitors were really playing their own form of chess. Having to think six moves ahead before actually going in to work for a submission is mentally challenging, particularly when also defending the opponents moves. Perhaps the highlight was the Bronze medal contest; Sgt Woodman of the Royal Signals versus Lance Corporal (LCpl) Hannay, Duke of Lancaster (2nd Battalion). This was an eight-minute thriller in which the action was often out of the referees control spilling onto the crowd who were on their feet, screaming instructions to both competitors. The epic grapple left the men tired, bruised, soaked with sweat, lay on the mats with Gi’s and limbs in disarray before Sgt Woodman was the crowned the winner.
Although I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to compete myself, it was an enthralling spectacle which has motivated me to get back training for the next event; scheduled for July. Having witnessed the atmosphere of the championships and training in BJJ, I’d encourage anyone looking to get into a combat sport or just try a new sport to give it a go. All genders, ages, and sizes welcome. You might be a decent runner with strong cardio but when you’re on the mat trying to evade your opponent’s attempts at a triangle, whilst also attempting to achieve full mount yourself, it’s a different kind of endurance all together.