IBJJF No-Gi Euros: Judo to No-Gi

My girlfriend and I travelled to Italy last week to participate in the IBJJF No-Gi European Championships. I have begun to jump into some competitive no-gi matches this year but had no initial intention of travelling to any international events. After Sophie expressed serious interest in doing the Euros I decided to join for a holiday then, on realising I’d get itchy feet, I eventually put my entry in.

I’ve competed in the Fijlkam arena previously for the Italian World Cup (Judo) but never made it into see any of the sites as we were in and out quickly travel wise. I really enjoy history, which Rome and wider Italy possess an abundance of interesting places to visit. I got to the main ones I’ve been wanting to see for years which was great.

Anyway, the event. I must admit as it approached I wasn’t overly looking forward to it. Like everyone, there is a lot going on currently and I did find myself thinking, “is this how you really want to spend your holiday, in another sports stadium!” Nevertheless gaining more competitive experience in BJJ is something I want so, while operating a relatively busy schedule, that’s going to require getting involved sometimes when I don’t feel overly inspired. 

While I’ll jump into events when the diary allows (I coach competitive -18 Judo athletes) I will say that I have no great aspirations to be the best BJJ player in the world. Around current commitments I go to Jiu-jitsu 2-3 times a week and hit the gym a similar number of times; to whatever level I can achieve with that amount of training I can accept. I spent all of my life up to the age of 33 pushing as hard as I could towards my international Judo goals- I know well what the lifestyle of a serious athlete looks like and it’s one that I no longer wish to lead. 

I have, so far, only competed in the adult age division (‘seniors’ for Judo people) as I wanted to test myself in the hardest brackets that I could. While I’ve certainly picked up more losses than wins in those contests the information I’ve gained has been extremely useful. As a Judo player my style was very physical, confrontational and gymnastic- I was caught with leg locks in my first few no-gi matches as I was leaving too much space for the opponent to enter onto the legs. Upon talking to my coaches at Camberley/ARBJJ/Darkpath, Jay Bell and a few texts with my good friend and former Judo training partner Owen Livesey, a plan was put together. Slowing things down, staying heavier and, to me at least, being a bit more boring became the aims. Ultimately BJJ rewards risk less than Judo does so I needed mentally to adapt. In training and competition it seems to be progressing in somewhat of a positive direction.

After mulling things over about what to do regarding the Euros entry wise, I still wanted to prioritise having a holiday/break first so I opted to try my own age bracket, so I entered Masters 2 (36-40years) Brown Belt. I also chose to do the higher weight category from the one I normally do so I didn’t have to watch what I ate while on holiday, apparently they serve carbs in Italy! I’ve previously always jumped into the absolute (open weight division) after also; I pre-agreed with myself that I would leave that this time in the aim to give myself the best chance of coming home feeling somewhat rested. 

Writing this post on the flight home I feel I made the correct decision. The adult divisions, where the sport is at it’s top flight, were absolutely rammed and very competitive. It is those winners I believe, particularly the adult black belts, that deserve maximum credit- competing without any age or grade protection boundaries; the true ‘European Champions’. While I’d like a bash at anyone individually, the potential for multiple tough contests against really motivated opposition isn’t my idea of fun anymore. And certainly not a holiday! Watching the adult categories was another reminder that the best winners and athletes are those that succeed in tournament format, advancing through round after round against opponent after opponent. I love watching the professional grappling shows however tournament rewards doing what needs to be done over flashiness and entertainment. And that, to really serious competitors and coaches, that I’ve met anyway, is to be respected over all else.

The day went well enough. I was the only person in the category to have a bye (thank you IBJJF!) then won two matches buy submission to finish in first place in my specific age/grade/weight division. I hit a throw in the final, uchi-mata-makikomi (inner thigh throw wraparound), that I haven’t done for a few years. It’s a heavy landing for the opponent so I leave it in BJJ training as appreciate most of my training partners have work to go to the next day. All’s fair in comp though. There is a brilliant window for it as the opponent chases the back as they are effectively loading your hip for you. I lost the initial more traditional uchi-mata and as the opponent went for the rear body lock the opportunity was presented. Sophie unfortunately didn’t advance to the medal contests in the adult purple belt but gave a strong account of herself against the eventual finalist- she was only promoted up from blue belt in the weeks leading up to the event so there’s more to come from her.

Anyway, I had a great week. I’d like to finish by saying that I’m reminded again that it is the people I meet through sport that inspire me the most. It’s those connections that both Hanumantra and myself wished to encapsulate in Kosmos from the outset. Friends that go out and lead motivated and interesting lives. As a full time Judo player I suppose I always feared life being mundane upon retiring. While I still have many mates on the Judo scene a number of the friends I’ve made in Jiu-Jitsu have been brilliant examples for me of how to stay interested and active as I’ve transitioned out of being a full time athlete. It was great to have a few of them out in Rome competing also. 

Onto the next.

Danny