Well, the competition team from Team Moreira – Simian Martial Arts was in great form this past Saturday in Aptos, California for the Rumble in the Redwoods tournament. We represented and walked away with 3 medals in total. Wade took home a gold medal in the white belt light heavyweight division. Chad McCausland took home the silver medal in the blue belt lightweight division. Chad Randall took home the bronze medal in the white belt middle weight division. Kyle and Jake were in the same division which also happened to be the largest division of the tournament. Both Kyle and Jake fought well and against really tough opponents but it just so happened that their opponents had a better day. All five guys really showed their jiu-jitsu skills and fought in some incredible matches. Thanks to all the guys who decided to step on the mats for themselves and to represent our studio… You made me very proud. Special thanks goes out to the guys who drove up for the event who weren’t competing and were there just to support our team!
All in all it was a long day but it was made great by our students who chose to lay it on the line along with our students who supported the team. I got a chance to watch the little kids wearing gi’s and showing off some pretty impressive jiu jitsu skills in their own right and it put a huge smile on my face. (I must admit I also felt a little envy wishing that I had the chance to train in BJJ when I was 8 years old). I met lots of great people there, including some other Moreira students from around California. I also talked with a couple of really cool guys from Paragon who were there competing. I didn’t see them roll but I hope they won their matches as well and helped represent the Central Coast in jiu jitsu competitions. People need to know that we have quality jiu jitsu programs around Los Osos, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and down to Santa Maria and they don’t have to drive farther south or north for good BJJ… or worse yet, have someone settle for another art simply because they didn’t know there was any BJJ in the area. I truly believe that this art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brings so many people together from all over the place and all walks of life. When you get guys together who are looking to tap each other out but can call each other ‘friend’ at the end of the day, there is nothing that can beat that.
Thanks to all the people who participate in events like this: the competitors, the spectators, kids, adults, judges, refs and all the people behind the scenes. The Pan Am’s and the Worlds are huge competitions and are definitely a wonder to behold. However, when you can make a small tournament in a damp little town like Aptos, California a success and keep those fires lit for the younger and newer competitors as well as those looking to keep their skills fresh, then you are doing the BJJ community as a whole a great service.
I will be editing the videos of the matches over the next week so look for that video soon!
Here are a few more photos of the days events:
Team Moreira – Simian Martial Arts
Los Osos, California
Awesome showing boys! Way to represent and make us all proud. I was there in spirit, but wish I could have been there to see it myself. You are all warriors, now I must SMASH you!