Gold medalist George (centre) and Silver Medalist Josh (left)
Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s Jiu Jitsu team were out in full force competing in London last weekend.
The team of eight grapplers, fighting for the first time this year, were travelling with high-hopes after weeks of intensive training under head-coach Keith McKenzie.
For several weeks the team had been training specifically for the competition, working on their technique while working on their strength and conditioning at the Manor Royal based gym.
With the preparation done they travelled up quietly confident and brought back 3 Gold and 3 Silver Medals to the clubs growing trophy cabinet where only last week local fighter Ruth Ashdown placed her new WBC International Muay Thai Title.
15 year olds George Kolarov and Josh Stapleton fighting in the same weight division were first on the mat and both winning with chokes. The two later met face to face in the Teenage Final with George winning by submission and Crawley taking home their first Gold and Silver medal of the day.
Next up were the lightweights with Konrad and Ollie West taking center stage.
The biggest of the weight categories both won their first fights convincingly before losing out in the second round to tough opponents.
Johnny Blyth in the 76kg division found well losing out in the later rounds. Entering the Absolute Division he found his second wind winning three fights back to back by submission. Coming up against a tough, heavier opponent in the semi-finals Johnny lost by submission, taking home the Bronze Medal. In the same Absolute Division, Crawley’s BJJ Team fighter Vasco Santos winning the Silver medal.
Heavyweight Lee taking home the Gold Medal for the Crawley Martial Arts Academy
In the 88kg competition Alan Sawyer and Chris Singers met each other in the final. Both had won their previous fights by submission. All was tied in the up until the last few seconds before Chris made a last gasp effort to take the Gold on points.
Star of the day had to be Lee Wilderspin who in the build up to the fight had been master a new fight strategy.
The biggest fighter on the team Lee executed his fight plan to perfection. Taking his opponents down and controlling them on the ground before submitting both his opponents with arm locks.
With the team on the up and up, and the level increasing the Crawley Martial Arts Academy has growing team of experience White Belts, Blue Belts and Purple Belts. Led by Black Belt and 2x European Champion, Keith McKenzie, there has never been a better time to get started.
If you’d like to find out more about learning with Crawley’s BJJ Team — for fun, for fitness or for self-defence and competition — give us a call on 01293 552 511 or enter your name and email address on the box on this page.
Recently we’ve also added Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) to our weekly kids martial arts classes starting from age 11+.