IBJJF Chicago results

On August 22nd I competed at the IBJJF Chicago along side a few teammates. The overall experience was exactly what I needed to take the next step in my game. I am completely ok with how things turned out, and that much more motivated to be back home and working on what I need to incorporate into my jiu jitsu.

My first match was against a much older opponent, and honestly he felt quite a bit stronger than me. I was slightly intimidated at first, but remembered professor Crabtree telling me to take it to them. I decided to make a good first impression on my opponent by taking him down with a single leg. I landed in half guard and he held onto a Kimura for about a minute and a half which led to me being stuck there. He eventually figured out that he would not submit me and let it go. I worked a little bit and eventually got the pass. This is where things didn't go so smoothly. Instead of attacking from side mount, I sort of held on and he eventually put me back into his half guard where the match ended 5 - 0 with me taking the victory. I know now that I should have attacked him and submitted him. I had the power to do so, but I guess I just froze up being it my first adult division and nerves were fairly high. I've been working on my attacks since I got back and hope to see serious improvement soon.


Match number two - I was against a 19 year old kid who was a four stripe white belt. I honestly was not intimidated at all and felt that I could win this from the beginning. He jumped guard immediately and I backed away and he smacked himself on the ground. He got up quickly before I could establish a pass game. Same thing again, this time I followed him down into his half guard. He too also tried for a kimura, but I have fairly good kimura defense. Only problem was he hung onto it for a while as well, stalling out the match for a few pricey seconds. I tried working the pass game and eventually he caught me off guard and swept me. I worked and worked for the underhook and swept him back. It was tied 2-2 and I was on top in a sort of half butterfly guard position. He throw his free leg over into a rubber-guard position on my back and I honestly didn't really know how to escape this. I was not as active as I should have been, just like the first match. I sort of laid there hoping for him to let go of that position, but he didn't. I broke free toward the end of the match and nearly had the pass when time ran out. The ref gave him the decision. I wasn't aggressive enough, and didn't attack like I should have.



So 1-1 in my adult division debut wasn't to bad considering my nerves and my lack of attack. I went home with a considerable amount of regret but even more motivation to work on my attacking.

The rest of the team did AMAZING with Ben taking silver in his weight, and Gold in the blue belt masters absolute. Jeff also took gold in his weight as blue belt, and fought hard in absolute winning his first match. Abby took silver in her weight as blue belt, and also fought hard in absolute. Mike took third place in mens adult white belt, out of 32 guys! What an accomplishment. Stu lost his first match in white belt on points, but came to fight.

All together Carlson Gracie team took second over Third place Gracie Barra and just under First place Loyd Irvin. We were tied with Loyd Irvin but they had just a couple more gold medals than us so they gave them the first place trophy.

IBJJF Chicago International Open

This Sunday our team will travel down to Chicago for the first ever IBJJF tournament in the Midwest. The tournament reached full capacity and is going to be the biggest and grandest tournament I've ever attended, no doubt. I am eager to compete, and watch my fellow teammates compete as well.

We have all put countless hours of hard work on the mats, and with that we have come a long way. Some of us suffering through injury, plateaus, and just everyday problems that come with life, but quitting is never an option at GRBJJ. We've all had that moment where we just want to say, "ok, that's enough". We've all had the moment where we almost reach the breaking point, but decide to push onward instead of quitting. We all understand that through suffering comes reward. That's what will set us apart from our competition.

Win or lose, though, I am proud to be a part of GRBJJ and the Carlson Gracie Team because of everyones hard work and undying love for the sport and art. It's great to be a part of such a family, with the greatest Professor ever, Clint Crabtree.

My game plan for the tournament is really simple - I am entering the adult Division 18-34, so everyone in the division is going to have that advantage on me. I'll still stare them down with tenacity though, and take the match to them from the opening seconds. There will be no cowering away just because I am younger, and there will be no fear just because maybe they are a little stronger. I'll have to make them remember the day they fought that freshly 17 year old kid from GRBJJ.

Obrigado to all my training partners, and good luck to all of you while competing.

Bobby


"He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position"

"Don't back down because your opponent is bigger, step up because he IS."

"You've got to have the most heart during those given minutes, you don't have to be better all the time."

"Remember where you came from, how you got here, and who helped you achieve this, all while you are holding the gold medal around your neck."