The Optimus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team has been busy this year competing and winning many jiu-jitsu championships. The IBJJF has been keeping us busy with regular Jiujitsu competitions all over Southern California, and the tournament victories keep piling up. Jiu Jitsu tournaments are a great way for the dedicated Jiu Jitsu practitioner to challenge themselves and take their Jiu Jitsu to the next level.
The year started with the Los Angeles Winter Open in February. Joe England, who has been unstoppable, placed gold. Robert Chade placed silver, and Rich Kim took the bronze. Rich Kim had a goal this year to compete in 10 competitions, a valiant effort for a busy executive and family man. At the time of this writing, he has competed in 6, he’s an inspiration.
The Orange County Open served as a good warm-up for the legendary Pan American Championships which took place in Florida this year. Both Robbie Chade and Rich Kim traveled to the east coast to compete. Robert Chade won gold and Rich Kim placed silver. It was an outstanding performance at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
April found us competing in the IBJJF Orange County Spring Open. One of our up and coming champions, Ilya Eltsov, had a standout performance. He decisively won several fights, placing gold. This would be the first of many gold medals this year for Ilya.
In May, professor Tinguinha hosted his annual in-house tournament. This gave many of our budding Jiu-jitsu competitors a chance to cut their teeth in their first competition. Notably our women’s team showed up strong with Tava, Maisy and Brooke all having an impressive showing at their first tournament. Predictably Ilya again took gold. Armando Gaeta and Adrian Cisneros and Robbie Chade all had exciting brown belt super fights, with Robbie Chade placing Gold. It was and exciting day of fights overall.
Next was the San Diego Summer Open. The ambitious Joe England headed down there with Cole Konan. Joe England absolutely dominated the competition, winning gold in his division and gold in the open weight division. Cole had an outstanding performance considering it was his first jiu-jitsu tournament ever. He strangled his opponent with a bow and arrow choke and secured the silver medal. I know we will see many gold medals from this young man in the future.
We are really proud of our dedicated Jujitsu students and their victories this year. It takes extra work, perseverance and grit to compete in Jiu-Jitsu competitions. It requires the student to face their fears and demonstrate an extraordinary amount of courage. We applaud those students who voluntarily put themselves up to the challenge.
